I always felt like the one part of Catcher in the Rye that Holden would've hated is the part when he talks about being a catcher in the rye. It's just so literary and feels shoehorned into the otherwise realistic narration.
Im wondering if they missed the point of the hat. He said he hunts people with it. Could it be that he wants to save people from losing their authenticity, from becoming phonies, from losing touch with life and the ability to love?
Was thinking this too. Agree with you that those are some of the resonances. I think though what's most telling is when he decides to pull it on, i.e., after he experiences something traumatic/innocence shattering. Most striking moment for me here is where Phoebe, by way of forgiveness, places the hat on his head at the end of the novel. I read this as a kind of sisterly kindness, that if Holden needs this kind protective, world-shutting-out hat, then he should wear it.
You are right. It hard to believe this guy is an "expert". IMHO he seems like and ignorant blow-hard who has completely missed the point of the book. Guess it doesn't translate into the small mind. As a curious aside, a very old and good friend of mine was invited by Salinger to meet and discuss things. Incredibly my friend told their rare book dealer, he didn't think meeting Salinger would be a good thing for either of them. He was very honored for the invitation, but "Thanks but no thanks." I would completely incredulous. As you know JD was completely phobic to the public and such things as interviews etc. Holden, was the voice of a teenager with the real emotions and vernacular of the time. It's pretty easy to understand- you just have to be honest and open. All this inflated language here is the complete opposite of what JD wrote. He would vomit at the "commentary". The 13 year old girl interviewed here is the wisest and most honest of the bunch. She has the secret to understanding Salinger. Next would be "Nine Short Stories."
I love that goddamn book!
My favorite book I have one of the “almost” original copies sitting on my dresser at home.
My favourite BBC news presenter.
Her voice is of a kind
Read this book. Wonderfull.
I always felt like the one part of Catcher in the Rye that Holden would've hated is the part when he talks about being a catcher in the rye. It's just so literary and feels shoehorned into the otherwise realistic narration.
Im wondering if they missed the point of the hat. He said he hunts people with it. Could it be that he wants to save people from losing their authenticity, from becoming phonies, from losing touch with life and the ability to love?
Was thinking this too. Agree with you that those are some of the resonances. I think though what's most telling is when he decides to pull it on, i.e., after he experiences something traumatic/innocence shattering. Most striking moment for me here is where Phoebe, by way of forgiveness, places the hat on his head at the end of the novel. I read this as a kind of sisterly kindness, that if Holden needs this kind protective, world-shutting-out hat, then he should wear it.
Joanna Rakoff gets it..the other expert is reaching and missing the point on most questions
You are right. It hard to believe this guy is an "expert". IMHO he seems like and ignorant blow-hard who has completely missed the point of the book. Guess it doesn't translate into the small mind. As a curious aside, a very old and good friend of mine was invited by Salinger to meet and discuss things. Incredibly my friend told their rare book dealer, he didn't think meeting Salinger would be a good thing for either of them. He was very honored for the invitation, but "Thanks but no thanks." I would completely incredulous. As you know JD was completely phobic to the public and such things as interviews etc. Holden, was the voice of a teenager with the real emotions and vernacular of the time. It's pretty easy to understand- you just have to be honest and open. All this inflated language here is the complete opposite of what JD wrote. He would vomit at the "commentary". The 13 year old girl interviewed here is the wisest and most honest of the bunch. She has the secret to understanding Salinger. Next would be "Nine Short Stories."
You couldn’t be more wrong