A Struggling Soul---an Existential Analysis Of The Catcher In The Rye

The Catcher in the Rye, written by Jerome David Salinger, is one ofthe most influential novels in Western literature. Holden Caulfield, theseventeen-year-old protagonist of the novel, is perceived as a uniquecharacter in American literature for his brash style and anti-social attitude.Critics at home and abroad have analyzed the image of Holden fromdifferent perspectives. But existentialism, which lays stress on theimportance of individual’s actions and choices, has been seldom appliedto its analysis. The novel was published in1951, at a time whenexistentialism was prevailing in America. Although Salinger prefers ZenBuddhism to Western philosophy, existential themes are not hard to findin this novel.With existentialism as theoretical framework, this thesis analyses theimage of Holden from the existential themes of absurdity, alienation, andfree choice, in order to broaden the readers’ understanding of the noveland to deepen the studies of the novel from existential perspective. Thisthesis consists of five chapters. Chapter one begins with a briefintroduction of J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, and Existentialism,followed by a literature review of existing studies of the novel and adiscussion of the significance of the research. From chapter two to chapter four, the existential concepts of absurdity, alienation, and freechoice are applied to the analysis of the novel. Chapter two is concernedwith the absurdity in Holden’s world. The absurdity not only lies in theschools where Holden studies, but also in Holden’s three-day journey inNew York City. Chapter three analyzes the alienation presented inHolden’s interpersonal relationships. Holden’s estranged relations withhis peer group, with his dates, with his teachers, and with his familymembers are detailed. In chapter four, the choices Holden makes in lifeare discussed. In face of the absurd and alienated world, Holden makesattempts to escape and he constantly struggles for more meaningfulexistence. In addition to his actions against the corrupt society, hisattitude towards death also gives expression to his effect in pursuing theessence of life. The last chapter is the conclusion which synthesizes thearguments in previous chapters and summarizes the importance ofHolden’s choices.Holden Caulfield is a prototype in struggling for a higher morality inan absurd and alienated world. In essence, Holden is not a freak of histime, but an existential hero.