The Catcher in the Rye Q&A

A “catcher in the rye” is the answer given by Holden to his sister, when she asked what he would like to be. He came up with this odd occupation after mishearing (or incorrectly remembering) the lyrics to a song that he had heard a child singing. Holden wants to protect all innocent children from all things, and the best analogy he can use to describe this is as a catcher in the rye, a guardian who stands at the edge of a field of rye, presumably filled with playing children. If one should run through the rye and not realize that at the edge of the field was a cliff, Holden wants to be the one who catches them, saving them, and protecting them.  

First, it should be noted that there is debate regarding whether he is actually in a mental health facility. The implication seems to indicate so, as he refers to seeing a “psychoanalyst guy” here, and many, even most, of Holden’s actions appear to be leading up to a mental breakdown. He exhibits symptoms of confusion, euphoria, depression, compulsive lying, and other dysfunctions, many of which appear to be groundwork laid by the author to result in a mentally unstable protagonist. Even his comments in the closing chapter seem to indicate that his loneliness has been intense, and he believes this to be because he has said too much. He may be in partial isolation, due to a mental condition, and paranoia may be creeping up on him.  

However, there are those who believe that Holden was never treated for mental issues, unless one considers the possibility of hypochondria. Some theories claim that he is in a medical facility, seeking treatment for an illness he believes that he has, or will contract.  

Assuming however that he IS being treated for a psychiatric condition, the question of why is also never clarified with absolution. Of course, Holden’s older brother lives in California, which probably explains the geographical part of the question. As far as Holden’s mental condition, we see a steady decline in his mental health throughout the story. He struggles with typical adolescent angst and confusion, but is further burdened by far more conflicts than is typical of a 16-year-old. His inner conflicts over sexuality, integrity, loyalty, guilt, trust, and even of time itself, seem to leave Holden in a perpetual state of indecision and confusion. Many things he wants to do, but cannot. Many things he does not want to do, but does. He regrets many things, and he frequently despises his own actions. He has lost faith, and continues to do so, in humanity in general, and in a number of specific individuals.  

When the book was published, it was ground-breaking, as no coming-of-age type of literature had ever been published in the mainstream, at least not regarding the exploits of a teenage boy. The target audience—teenagers—loved it, perhaps fueled by the controversial nature of it. Many schools banned the book, citing its crude language, and adult themes of sex and alcohol.