Why does Holden Caulfield want to be the catcher in the rye?
His central dilemma is that he wants to retain a child’s innocence., but because of biology he must move either into adulthood or madness. As a sort of compromise Holden imagines himself as “the catcher in the rye,” a protector of childhood innocence exempt from movement into adulthood, which is neither possible nor sane.” (Bloom’s Notes 22) Even Gerald Rosen states that, “It is important to note here that Holden’s rejection of an adult role is not a case of sour grapes. He believes he will succeed and it is the successful life he fears”(101). Even though Holden tries to act like an adult at times, he is actually extremely afraid of the adult life and as a way to escape life, he creates this character, the catcher in the rye, throughout his thoughts. He feels that by saving the children from falling off the cliff, he saves them from falling into the adult world that he disgusts. He feels that this character can prevent the children from becoming adults and remaining in that childish wo
