Holden and the Cliff

Chapter 22 of The Catcher in the Rye is marked by a conversation between Holden Caulfield and his younger sister Phoebe in which Holden is asked a multitude of profound questions. Among these is a question that is a centerpiece of the coming-of-age experience; Phoebe asks, "Name something you'd like to be. Like a scientist. Or a lawyer or something" (223). In response to the question, Holden ventures down a rather familiar path, expressing his disinterest and distaste for these two professions that are well-respected by society, "'I couldn't be a scientist. I'm no good in science'... 'Lawyers are all right, I guess -- but it doesn't appeal to me'... 'All you do is make a lot of dough and play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink martinis and look like a hot-shot'" (223). As Holden continues to ponder the question, an idea spontaneously enters his mind, "You know what I'd like to be? I mean if I had my goddam choice?" What he describes next is oddly specific yet "crazy" and hard to understand; "'Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around -- nobody big, I mean -- except me. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff'... 'That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy'" (225).

Is Holden's wish to be "the catcher in the rye" an absurd thought, a product of far too many drinks and a mental state in rapid decline, or does he actually mean what he is saying? If so, what does he mean, and is he referencing anything in particular? The events following the discussion only seem to confirm to Holden that he was right about feeling concerned and eager to protect the young. The steps he takes in response make it clear that he genuinely meant what he said, and that he has the intention to fulfill his promise. 

While staying at Mr. Antolini's house, Holden has an experience that causes him to flee his teacher's apartment in disgust. After falling asleep on the couch, he awakens to find Antolini patting him on his head, a gesture that he finds both confusing and frightening. On the elevator ride down, Holden reveals, "Boy, I was shaking like a madman. I was sweating, too. Whenever something perverty like that happens, I start sweating like a bastard. That kind of stuff's happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid. I can't stand it" (251). Clearly, Holden is suspicious of Antolini after the incident, and once again, society has let him down. This encounter is likely a reason why Holden feels the need to protect children, especially given his acknowledgement of numerous experiences in this department during his younger years. His "catcher in the rye" image wasn't a random thought designed solely to perplex the reader. Certainly, it was in need of explanation, as noted by Holden when he repeats twice that his idea is crazy. That explanation can be found in Holden's unique experiences, including both past and present "perverty" experiences, as well as his general rejection of society; Phoebe and himself are examples of children who Holden has always wanted to prevent from coming of age and growing into "phonies." Moreover, Holden feels like the only capable person (the only "big" one, to use his example) who can save children from falling off the metaphorical cliff. Even later on, as he wanders around Phoebe's school, he encounters the words "Fuck you" written on the wall, and mentions, "I thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it, and how they'd wonder what the hell it meant... and how they'd all think about it and maybe even worry about it for a couple of days" (260). While examining the writing, he even says, "I figured it was some perverty bum" (260). Again, Holden comes face to face with his concerns about how society can destroy children with its "perverty" ways. He feels the pressing need to assert himself and keep the children of Phoebe's school, perhaps the field of rye he was referring to, safe from the evil abyss. He fulfills his role as catcher in the rye by erasing the words from the wall, demonstrating to the reader and to himself that there was indeed some value to his crazy idea.

Throughout The Catcher in The Rye, Holden makes it very clear that he does not approve of human society. He has a strong distaste for change, particularly in people when they start acting "phony" just to please others and fit in. He does his best to act completely opposite from what would be expected of somebody his age, making this a coming-of-age novel that feels rather anti-coming-of-age. When Phoebe asks him to evaluate the world he lives in and figure out what his role should be, he decides that all he wants to do is protect other youth, especially Phoebe and the children of her generation, from submitting to the corruption of the world. For once, Holden's trademark impulsiveness generated a somewhat calculated idea, enabling him to find purpose in his life and be the change he wishes to see in the world. 

Rico Duursma