Catcher In The Rye American Dream Analysis

The Catcher in the Rye is a historical fiction novel by J.D Salinger. The book starts with Holden Caulfield, the main character, explaining a little about himself and goes on to tell his story of what happened after he left Pencey. Everyone strives to set themselves to a place in life where they feel safe, comfortable, and secure, that is the American dream. The journey to achieve this dream is known as the American experience. In the novel, Holden tries to act and look older. He reflects on his shortcomings and the setbacks in life, and leaves to collect himself, all reflecting elements of the American experience.
In contemporary America, people strive to act older, mature, Holden is no different. Drinking, for example, is considered a sign

of maturity. In the book Holden is seen trying to order alcoholic drinks. “ I ordered a scotch and soda, and told him not to mix it- I said it fast as hell, because if you hem and haw, they think you’re under twenty-one and won’t sell you any intoxicating liquor,” (77-78). Underage drinking was a part of Holden’s world as much as it is present in today’s society. In addition to underage drinking, false identities are another way people appear older. “I told them my name was John Steele, just for the hell of it,” (82). Holden lies about his name and his age in order to try and impress women he had met in a club. Prevalent people today hide behind false identities today as well with fake ID’s and social media profiles. This is the beginning of the American experience. Along with the decisions people make, good or bad, their shortcomings and the obstacles they will face in life will also serve as a part of their American experience.
Hardships and shortcomings are a vital part of the American experience; it shapes a person along with their American dream.

People’s shortcomings cause them to look at themselves and the environment around them, Holden does this multiple times throughout the book. “It’s a funny kind of yellowness, when you come to think of it, but it’s yellowness, all right. I’m not kidding myself,” (100). Holden doesn’t delude himself into thinking he’s perfect, which will allow him to better understand himself and his needs, but it also causes him some problems, like depression. Depression is said to ail everyone at least once at some point in their lives, Salinger makes it apparent that Holden is suffering it throughout the novel. “What I really felt like doing, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would have done it, too, if I’d been sure somebody’d cover me up as soon as I landed,” (116-117). Depression and suicide are still present in today’s society, and unfortunately a part or many people’s lives, contributing to the American

experience.
The American dream is different for everyone, which means they need to figure out what works, what doesn’t, what they do and don’t need on their own.

People need time to find themselves, by themselves, which is the American experience as a whole. “So what I decided to do, I decided I’d take a room in a hotel in New York- some very inexpensive hotel and all- and just take it easy till Wednesday. Then, on Wednesday, I’d go home all rested and swell,” (58). Holden sets off on his own before he is officially expelled from Pencey, before his parents can react, and lives on his own. The events following show how Holden genuinely is, how he thinks, and allows him to look at the world in his own time. People also need time to reflect on themselves and what they’ve been through in order to move forward, Holden is doing just this at the very beginning of the book. “I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I had to come out here to take it easy,” (1). Downtime like Holden is experiencing now allows him to evaluate himself in a relaxed environment, which in turn lets him figure out his needs, wants, and allows him to plan for the future.
Some people may believe that the American experience for women was better in Holden’s time than nowadays. They claim that women were more respected then, where in fact, they were in fact treated relatively the same as now. Women are not always treated with respect, in both times; there will always

be ‘Stradlaters’ in society. Holden points out that “I’d double-dated with the bastard a couple times, and I know what I’m talking about. He was unscrupulous, he really was,” (45). There are no drastic changes in the American experience for women that appear now when compared to Holden’s time.
Holden’s experiences and actions do reflect the contemporary American experience. He tries to act older, he realizes and reflects on his shortcomings, and he takes time to review his life up to the end of the book, all things that occur in the American experience. Holden has taken care of himself, and made mistakes during the few days he lived alone. The experiences he creates will be able to help him figure out himself, and create his American dream. Even though Holden does reflect the contemporary American experience, his mindset is unhealthy. Though it’s critical to look at one’s shortcomings and problems they may face in life, it is important not to let only those shortcoming and problems define someone’s view on life. It would lead to even more problems, possibly to depression or to something more serious. Hardships shape lives, what one does to solve or to avoid them is the American experience, Holden is not so different from anyone the same age today.