But I wonder if Salinger was thinking of Jesus while writing the book. > I may be putting my head in the sites, here, but--particularly in lieu of the Jesus discussion in "Zooey", as well as Holden's discussion of Jesus with Ackley-kid in Ackley's room--I would venture to say that Jesus was as much in need of catching as Holden himself. So yes, perhaps Holden is a Christfigure. Destroyed (and immortalized, by, respectively, Bananafishers and Christians) because of their sense of decency. Brendan Free web-based email, Forever, From anywhere! http://www.mailexcite.com