1. Exploring Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye
His fantasy is based on a quote from a poem that he hears a little boy singing. He thinks the words are, "If a body catch a body comin" through the rye." ... His job is to stand at the end of this great field of rye at the edge of a cliff keeping little children from falling off. ... Ironically, Phoebe later informs him of the real words of the poem which are, "If a body meet a body comin" through the rye." ... The entire "Catcher in the Rye" is a metaphor for Holden's urgent desire to keep himself and others within the innocence of their childhood years and away from the frightening ...
Holden Caulfield is an unconventional teenager with many conflicts. He failed out of four boarding schools. He has also been visited by a psychoanalyst. These obstacles prevented him from effectively communicating and connecting with others. His judgmental mentality and inability to communicate has ...