Dane J. Stole
8-27-08
Theology III

Holden Caulfield: A Man of Faith

Faith is based in firm belief and trust in a person, thing or ideal, as is demonstrated by Holden Caulfield’s unwavering devotion to the idea that purity does in fact exist in the world, and is manifested in the world of children and those who have devoted themselves to God.
Although Holden seems to have a severe distrust in so called civilized society, he sees purity and innocence in children. Holden bases in this world his faith that the world is not as awful as it seems to him when he is surrounded by adults and peers. Holden sees children as the hope for a world full of phonies, and places his faith in children to bring about reconciliation. Holden sees children as an example of humanity before they are corrupted by the society of the adults, which is riddled with sex, alcohol, greed, and fake people.
It is also in the religious, that Holden puts his faith. He doesn’t necessarily put his faith in their teachings and beliefs, but rather in the fact that they can always be trusted in times of need, and have truly dedicated themselves to doing what is right, and not simply pretending that you lead a good life, as the so-called “phonies” do in the world of adults. Holden even considers the religious life for himself, as he mentions several times that he is interested in perhaps joining a monastery. Holden loves the idea of dedicating yourself to a life minimalist life, where the concerns of the typical person are of no bother. He also loves the idea of dedicating all your efforts not for personal benefit, but for the benefit of those in need, those who need his efforts far more than he feels he can help himself.