Connor Hagan
Jr. Theology/
Faith
Holden: Faith in the Children
In J.D Salinger’s “The Catcher in
the Rye”, the main character and protagonist, Holden Caulfield, appears to be
cynical and sardonic throughout much of the story, but as the story concludes
Holden takes on some of the qualities that a man of faith might possess. He
first of all respects and enjoys the company of innocent children. At the same
time however, he also realizes that the adult world is a corrupting force that
corrodes children’s innocence and transforms the kids into greedy, sex-driven,
and alcoholic through their teen years.
Holden’s ultimate goal of “The
Catcher in the Rye” is to be the guardian of the children. He wishes to keep
them from falling off the cliff of purity and into the downward spiral of vice
and sinfulness, but ironically the lure of adult temptations proves too strong
for Holden himself to resist. He eventually comprehends that what he is truly
doing is holding back the natural and normal maturing of children in that time,
and that instead of actually helping them, he has trapped himself in the same
immoral monster that he was trying to have the children avoid.
In his quest to provide the children
with a pure and virtuous future, Holden clearly shows an understanding of
faith, in only concentrating on guarding the kids from the adult evils, he
accepts that after his work is done someone else, most probably the children
themselves, will be able to stand up to the seductive temptations of the
so-called mature world. In planning to leave the children alone after his
protection is finished, Holden, in an act of faith, accepts that they will be
fine.