Holden's Corrupt Society
Post World War II America experienced an economic boom never before seen in the United States. Despite this prosperity, discontent and alienation were becoming a common experience for American youth. J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye portrays its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as a disenfranchised youth who can no longer function in the world in which he resides. The novel became an instant success among young people. The Catcher in the Rye's portrayal of a society that had become a moral and spiritual wasteland rang true for many young people. So true for so many that the novel became a popular icon for the youth of the 50's and 60's. The Catcher in the Rye shows that sex is another one of life's beautiful things corrupted in this society. Sex in the traditional sense is a physical expression of love by two consenting partners in a monogamous relationship. None of the sexual encounters portrayed in The Catcher in the Rye meets any of these qualifications. Holden is a virgin, but his virginity is not due to lack opportunity. According to Holden, he has had "quite a few opportunities to lose [his] virginity". (pg. 92) Holden wants to have sex but he is unable to abandon his morals, as he remarks, "when they tell me
49), Stradlater would ignore their initial pleas and he would eventually wear them down until they were willing to have sex. He is spiritual, generous, and protective of the innocent. D Salinger shows that the motivating factor in private education is not the quality of the education or quality of life of its' students, rather it is the desire for profit. 92) Holden's morals are put to the test when he has an opportunity to have sex with a prostitute. Salinger shows Holden as the Christ figure, despite his swearing, drinking, smoking, and other superficial crudities. Eventually they all deny any kinship with Jesus. (Matthew 26:15, New Testament) Before Jesus' death, the twelve Disciples, all swear never to deny Jesus, even under threat of death (Matthew 25:36, New Testament). Stradlater's actions demonstrate that he perceives sex strictly as a means of physical gratification. 114) Both Holden's aunt and Sally's mother do charitable work, not to be generous and kind, but to present and image of caring. Holden observers that "the more expensive a school is, the more crooks it has" (pg. Stradlater, Holden's roommate at Pencey Prep, is known for his sexual exploits.
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