Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

“Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being.” -Albert Camus. Many teenagers are scared or worried by the reality of growing up, and in return, losing their fun adolescent years. Some eventually become lost and want to go back to there innocent years while others embrace it and enjoy every moment of life as an adult. In the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield, the main character, is a teenage boy telling us of the winter when he was 16 and had just been kicked out of his fourth school, Pencey Prep, in Pennsylvania. He decides not to tell his parents, and takes what money he has and heads for New York. Holden eventually has a reality check about having to grow up when he is on his own in the big city. Throughout the novel Holden makes many references about being scared of growing up. Many teenagers, like Holden, want the fun of growing up but do not want the responsibilities that come along with it.
At the beginning of Holden’s New York adventure he is in a cab and asks the driver where all the ducks go when the pond freezes over in the winter (9.4). Holden is showing us his more youthful side contrary to his usual grumpy and angry attitude about life. During this moment Holden is taking the time to understand something beyond himself and ask questions about something he does not understand. One of Holden’s fears in life is growing up and having to deal with issues and change. After understanding the cycle of ducks throughout the seasons he realizes that the ducks have to deal with whatever mother nature throws at them for the season and he finally grasps the idea that change is needed and is not necessarily permeant nor a bad thing.
Another symbolic moment in the novel is when Holden is talking to Phoebe about what he wants to do with his life. He begins to tell her how he wants to save innocent children from falling off “the cliff” by catching them when...