Holden as Henderson
Lomanno (lomanno@ix.netcom.com)
Mon, 25 Jan 1999 08:53:52 -0500
I just read HENDERSON THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow, and I couldn't help
noticing some striking similarities between Eugene Henderson and Holden
Caulfield. Has anyone else read the book?
Both Holden and Henderson leave home searching for "something." Both are
pretty well-read and intelligent, but since they don't "fit in" to the
mold of society they come across as a little ignorant. They both
constantly digress in their stories to tell of past memories. They both
battle with issues of "phoniness" and sincerity. They also both want to
save the world.
I see Henderson as a kind of adult "catcher in the rye." Can anyone else
comment on this? I'd love some imput from fellow Salinger groupies. :)
I'm thinking of doing a Bellow/Salinger comparison paper in one of my
classes this semester, and it will be difficult for me to convince my
professor of its credibility since he already thinks I'm some crazed
Salinger-obsessed maniac. He assumes I'll see Salinger in everything
(which, to some extent, I can).
--Kari