The Catcher in the Rye #6

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

"That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be" (Salinger, 173).

As the novel comes to an end, it is evident that Holden wants to be a "catcher in the rye." He initially mentions it early in the book as he hears a kid singing a song about it while he was roaming the city. When he speaks to his sister, he finally explains what it means. He wants to catch children before they have to face the adult world and grow up. Holden especially wants to catch his sister and this seems to be his goal once he goes home to see her. He sees her growing up and he wants to ensure that she doesn't do that before he even has the chance to. When Holden goes to her school, he realizes that it is not just Phoebe that he needs to save from growing up, but the children at her school. As he walks the halls to give her the note to meet him, he sees the derogatory words written on the walls and does his best to get rid of them. The idea Holden has of catching children before they grown up changes him and his goal in life. Through the novel, Holden reaches a place where he belongs. He belongs as the catcher in the rye.