Catcher In The Rye Songs

In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden reacts strongly to the song "Comin Thro' the Rye”. Upon hearing it on a sidewalk in New York, his interpretation of this song provides a deeper understanding of his mental state that ties in his values. Holden first hears this song through a young boy. Holden recalls, “he was walking in the street, instead of the sidewalk, but right next to the curb” (115). The little boy’s positioning near the sidewalk subconsciously stands out to Holden. In New York, the streets are busy with cars, making it dangerous for one not to walk on the sidewalk. The close proximity the boy is to with the sidewalk and to the street is symbolic for a child who is on the verge of losing their innocence. In a
Children are the epidemy of innocence and purity. They have not experienced much that can taint them. Seeing a child whose innocence is still intact and lose it so easily is not a sight Holden can with stand, for Holden’s quest as the protagonist is to find purity in innocence. Holden’s quest as the protagonist is to find purity and innocence. Seeing one lose it is too unsettling for him. This is one reason Holden hears the lyric “If a body catch a body coming through the rye” (115) incorrectly. (The real lyrics are “Gin a body meet a body”.) The song as a whole is describing two lovers meeting although their love may be forbidden. When someone “meets” another, it is done willingly. The lovers willing to get together and experience their loss of innocence, which does not mix well with Holden. Holden cannot comprehend why someone would willingly lose their innocence. (Like previously where Holden was so unsettled by Sunny and the fast manner in which she disrobes.) However, when “catching” something, it means to secure it. For example, when a ball is caught, it is secured and saved from hitting the ground. Therefore, the word “meet” is replaced in Holden’s mind with the word “catch” for this