Holden Caulfield: A Timeless Teenager
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When a person says “timeless”, it could mean a variety of things. According to the Merriam Webster New Collegiate Dictionary, “timeless” means “to have no beginning or end, eternal; not restricted to a particular time or date; not affected by time, ageless.” (Merriam 1222). When a person says the word “timeless”, it could mean existing through the ages, relating to all. In J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield relates to all people and their experiences. With Holdens vocabulary, sexual fascination, and attempts to enter the adult world, Salinger effectively creates a character with whom readers can relate.
Salinger relates Holden Caulfield to readers with the use of foul language and provocative wording. Salinger may even overuse the swearing in some parts in order to emphasize Holdens lack of maturity and respect. Holden says, “I damn near puked, listening to him.” (Salinger 49). Holden has no respect for the people around him. He sees the phony in everyone, yet never gives him or her a chance. When Holden says that he “damn near puked” while “listening to him”, he just does not care about the consideration for others. Yet, when teenagers throughout the ages are growing up, some of the same feelings may arise. Also, Salinger uses Holdens vulgarity as a shock factor for his audience. “Holden constantly uses word like puke, vomit, and 4-letter-words that
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were strictly forbidden in the 1950s.” (Kallen, 32). Although these words were forbidden, many young adults used them as a symbol of rebellion, much like Salinger used Holdens language for rebellion. Along with language, Salinger uses Holdens sexual fascinations as a shock factor in order to relate to his readers.
Teens and adults alike can identify with Holdens confusion over his sexuality. Throughout the book, Salinger uses Holdens virginity as a means for awkward conversations between characters. It also bring up different points in Holdens past relationships that hit a sore spot for Holden. For instance, he says, “If you want to know the truth, Im a virgin. I really am. Ive had quite a few opportunities to lose my virginity and all, but Ive never gotten around to it yet.” {Salinger, 120). Holden also says, “You know what the trouble with me is? I can never get really sexy, I mean, really sexyBoy, it really screws up my sex life something awful. My sex life stinks.” (Salinger 191). Holden sees sex as an accomplishment, much like some readers of Salingers novel. Salinger successfully portrays Holden as a typical, erotic teenage male. Yet, when sexual issues are discussed, many people tend to ostracize the subject. Some subjects are forbidden in society. “He also reported on sexual situations that were rarely discussed until the late 1960s, including cross-dressing, molestation, and homosexuality.” (Kallen, 32). Holden wants to break the molds in which society has cast upon him. Holden is a curious person, as are many people of the world. People just want to learn about “crumby” subjects.
Readers can often identify with Holdens failures in attempting to enter into the adult world. “In the character of Holden Caulfield, Salinger captured the suffering of
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every awkward adolescent in a hypocritical society.” (Kallen 9). Salinger shows us that Holden wants to be accepted as an adult, and yet, he is rejected. He may be rejected because he is immature. When Holden is in the Lavender Room, he sees three ladies, he thinks to himself, “They didnt invite me to sit down at their table–mostly because they were too ignorant–but