Who is the Catcher...?

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Previous message: AntiUtopia: "Re: First Catcher memories?"

I've thought about this extensively, whether or not Holden is the Catcher in the
Rye.  

Of course it's not Holden.  Holden knows he's going to fall with everyone else. He
realizes it at the end of the book, when he decides he can't run away from it.

It's not Phoebe.  Holden knows Phoebe is going to fall, but he doesn't keep her from
reaching for the ring, because she needs to be young while she still can...

The Catcher is someone who doesn't ever get off the merry-go-round.  Phoebe has to
get off at some point, but Holden wants her to ride as long as she can.

Who doesn't have to get off the merry-go-round?  Who will never fall?

Allie is the Catcher in the Rye.  Allie is the eternal child.  

Toward the end of the novel, Holden feels like he's going to fall everytime he steps
off the sidewalk--but he talks to Allie the entire time, talks to a young Allie,
an eternally-young Allie--and Allie guides Holden, doesn't let Holden fall. Allie
cathces Holden.

And don't forget:
The Catcher's mitt in the novel belonged to Allie.

It's just my thought.  Let me know what you think.


p.s.--if I were ever to equate the Glasses with the Caulfields, I would say that
Seymour is the parallel of Allie.  

They both died.

And another thought: 
I don't think J.D. tried to write Seymour as his own alter-ego.  If anyone was J.D.'s
alter-ego, it is Buddy.  Salinger even said so on the sleeve of F&Z

Oh well.
Thanks.

Brendan 



Free web-based email, Forever, From anywhere!
http://www.mailexcite.com

• Previous message: AntiUtopia: "Re: First Catcher memories?"