The Celebration of Innocence inThe Catcher in the Rye
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Department of English
Abstract
This research study aims to uncover the celebration of innocence in J. D.
Salinger'sThe Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield, an adolescent and major character in
the novel gains bitter experiences of the adult world just within a few days of his visit to
the New York City. This visit to night clubs, girl friends, prostitutes and some of his
acquaintances is enlightening for him. He quickly realizes the evils of the adult world,
feels quite restless being among theadults and wants to escape somewhere. But as he
wants to bid good bye to his sister Phoebe, her innocent love compels him to refrain from
escaping. He finds joy being among innocent children and expresses his desire to be a
catcher in the rye. Holden's journey from innocence to experience and the ultimate
realization of the bliss of innocence is elaborated along with the mystical visions of
William Blake's innocence, experience and higher innocence and Friedrich Nietzsche's
ideas of the three metamorphosesof the human consciousness, the camel, the lion and the
innocent child respectively. This study reveals the significance of gaining experience of
the world as well.