Re: H. Bloom and TCITR

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In a message dated 98-02-20 23:49:50 EST, you write:

<< 
 Without really giving it serious thought, I'd say it might be a little
 difficult to come to Catcher at, say, 45, though I'm sure it could still be
 appreciated for its literary qualities. But if you read it, as most of us
 have, in high school or college, then the appreciation of it can stick far
 past the age of literal empathy with Holden, his situation, etc.
  >>
     It scares me to death, the number of adolescents I have encountered who
take Holden under their wing as some sort of model of heroism. I read Catcher
as a teenager and was a little put off by Holden's finger pointing. If I
needed that sort of cynicism, it was readily available from most of my peers.
Reading Catcher now I am struck by what a tragic figure Holden is, no matter
how right he may be in his observations. Holden's rejection of the
expectations society places on him, serves only to further alienate and
isolate him. Every young person has gone through a period when , " nobody
understands me,"  embracing Holden as a hero serves only to perpetuate this
myth. It's about unlearning the differences, Buddy. 
                                                Robert

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