An Analysis Of The Catcher In The Rye: Pop Culture

Jenna Gear
The Catcher in the Rye
Assignment #2- Pop Culture

The Catcher in the Rye was written in 1951, a time period where many things discussed in this novel were not found often in literature. Originally written as a book for adults, it became popular among the younger crowd because of teenage unease and rebellion shown throughout the novel. I believe so many were interested in this novel because it covers complex issues of identity, belonging, connection, and alienation. There are many teenagers out there that feel a lot like Holden did throughout the story, and really connected. The Catcher in the Rye exploded in pop culture over the years. There have been shootings, films, television shows, music, and even other books written
about The Catcher in the Rye. Read on as I discuss three different shootings that have been related to this novel and why Holden Caulfield was their inspiration. I will begin with arguably the most well-known relation to The Catcher in the Rye.
This would be the shooting of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman. He even went as far to changing his name to Holden. Chapman explained in an interview with Larry King that like Holden, he wanted to preserve the innocence that Lennon had. Chapman believes Holden would have wanted Lennon dead as well He explains that there were voices telling him to “do it” over and over again. After the shooting he wrote in the copy of The Catcher in the Rye he purchased that evening that “This is my statement,” and signed Holden Caulfield. After obviously being arrested, Chapman’s defense team was going for the insanity plea. Dozens of phycologists studied Chapman in the six months to the scheduled trial. It was determined that he was mentally ill but was fit to stand trial. Five physiologist’s believed that Chapman had paranoid schizophrenia, along with other personality disorders causing him to believe he was really Holden Caulfield. Chapman ended up pleading guilty to all charges, and from interviews after sentencing he seems to have a sense of remorse for what he
did. Kurt Cobain was lead singer of the incredibly famous band Nirvana. He too had an obsession with The Catcher in the Rye. Like many others Cobain felt very connected with Holden in a sense that he was different from the people around him too. Cobain felt he and Holden shared many qualities. In his suicide note he explains himself hating every human being who was older then the age of 7. Much like Holden whom seemed to not get along with anyone besides children. Also in his suicide note he says he wants to be just like Holden, they were both trying to be catchers in the rye. Cobain was spiraling further and further into depression. He explains that he despised phonies, and was afraid of becoming one himself, that’s why he didn’t want to act like he enjoyed preforming anymore because it didn’t affect him in the slightest. Weeks before his suicide Cobain was seen holding a copy of The Catcher in the Rye, and also wearing a red hunting cap like Holden does throughout the novel. Alienating himself just as Holden did until he felt so alone he had to take his own life. John Hinckley Jr. better recognized as the man who attempted to assonate Ronald Reagan was also inspired by The Catcher. Much like Holden Hinckley grew up in a well to do family for he was the son of a successful corporate executive. As a young man he showed signs of physiological turmoil. He developed a fascination with guns, and showed signs of an obsessive personality. One of those obsessions including The Catcher in the Rye, and Jodie Foster. The two motives says Hinckley for shooting Reagan. Hinckley felt as if Holden was reading his mind. As Hinckley’s obsession with the young actress Jodie Foster he felt the need to become her so to speak “catcher in the rye.” He thought by shooting the president it would impress her. After firing six shots towards Ronald Regan, John was subdued by police officers. They raided his hotel room where a copy of The Catcher in the Rye was found. After pleading not guilty, he repeatedly told people “If you want to hear my defense just read Salinger’s novel. Do you think Holden Caulfield is just a troubled every day teen, or does he show violent/criminal tendencies?
A question universally asked, I personally believe Holden does not show criminal tendencies like the people he “inspired.” Holden wasn’t just negative all the time, although spoke lowly of the people he encounters in the story, he also had something positive to say about them as well. He does this with many people in the story. For example the cab driver, the three girls at the bar, the nuns, Mr. Spencer, Sally Hayes, and even his parents. Caulfield never showed any violent tendencies when in fact, while he was being beaten by old Maurice, he explains he was a coward and couldn’t hit him back. Holden defiantly has some social issues but I didn’t get the sense he was a physco-path. I thought of him as more as a spoiled kid, who has never gotten much human attention still struggling with the loss of his young brother, Allie. Losing Allie was hard for Holden because he got much love, admiration, and attention from him. After repeatedly bringing his younger brother up in the novel, and explaining how it makes him feel so damn depressed. It is clear that was the underlying reason for many of Holden’s issues. Holden is an everyday teenager in my mind who is looking for love. He is not a sociopath like the people who say Holden was their
inspiration.