Holden Caulfield Point Of View Analysis

In Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger’s point of view highlights the necessity of adapting to change. Holden Caulfield spends the vast majority of the novel living in fear of ‘growing-up’ into an adult, and Holden’s fear and reluctance of this change ultimately results in his downfall. Salinger’s point of view, paired with several symbols, reflects the necessity of adapting to change.
Salinger’s point of view represents the inevitability of change and the consequences associated with unwillingness to change. . When Holden prepares to visit Phoebe, he buys her “a record called ‘Little Shirley Beans’…about a little kid who wouldn’t go out of the house because two of her front teeth were out and she was ashamed to” (Salinger 127). This record symbolizes
Holden fears change primarily because of the possible pain attached to it, both physical and emotional. However, Holden understands the importance of coping with change. While Holden watches Phoebe on the carousel, Salinger enables Holden to reflect that, “the thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it. If they fall off, they fall off, but it’s bad if you say anything to them” (Salinger, 232). Holden finally comprehends the significance of allowing children to “grab for the gold ring”, which represents dreams and ambitions, while allowing them to “fall off”. Holden understands that protecting children from “falling” as the “catcher in the rye” does not benefit children in their journey to cope with change themselves. Holden reveals that he “felt so damn happy if you want to know the truth” though he “doesn’t know why” (Salinger, 233). Holden feels content because he understands the significance of adapting to change and the challenges associated with it (‘growing-pains’) and for this moment it seems as if Holden will apply himself in school and learn how to cope with change as he enters a new boarding