"The Catcher in the Rye" Section 4

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

In chapter 24, Holden goes to one of his old teacher’s, Mr. Antolini for help. Holden is not sure where to go in his life. He is afraid to see his parents for fear of their reaction to his failures. Holden has an innocent and unrealistic view of what he wants to do with his life. Throughout the book, Holden has been walking in search of his purpose in life, and he cannot seem to find it. He is falling out of touch with the world and himself and he does not know it. Mr. Antolini’s comment captures the direction Holden is headed for,“This fall I think you’re riding for—it’s a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. The man falling isn’t permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom. He just keeps falling and falling,” (Salinger, 187). Recognizing that Holden is falling, Mr. Antolini acts as Holden’s “catcher in the rye.” Holden doesn’t know where he is going in the world and needs someone catch him. This advice helps Holden realize to look for something different in the world so he will not give up in the future. Holden has an intelligent and observant mind, he just needs to get started in the right direction to not fall from the “cliff.”