Discusses the Importance of Truth in "The Catcher in the Rye"

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From the very beginning of the novel, Holden decides what you want to hear, and what he's going to tell you. He refuses to talk about his parents' past because 'that stuff bores me', and his parents 'would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them.'(page 1) Throughout the novel, he avoids telling the truth about anything too "personal" or "boring." This suggests he thinks nothing of being economical with the truth for his own convenience. He certainly seems eager to decide for himself how much he's going to tell you. 'I'm not going to tell you my whole goddamn autobiography or anything. I'll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me.'(page 1) He also informs us that he hasn't told his own brother anymore than that. From this introduction, it may seem that the truth isn't very important to Holden. But let us consider this further.

Holden frequently makes casual references to telling the truth. These are colloquial references that many people often use, such as 'if you want to know the truth'(page 1) and 'I really do'(page 8) The casual reader might not even notice how frequently he refers to telling the truth, but a closer reading reveals that the references are numerous. It's like a nervous twitch. Holden seems to have a subconscious need to frequently reassure himself and others that he's telling the truth.

He also uses the phrase 'I really do' as a kind of apology, perhaps nervous that people won't quite believe him. 'I have quite a bit of equipment at the gym I have to get to take home with me. I really do.' (page 13) In this example, he is actually lying, but only to politely excuse himself from an uncomfortable situation. At the start of the next...

... middle of paper ...

...hem. The truth is important to Holden himself, but it isn't important to the novel.

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Bibliography

First pinkmonkey.com quote

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/catcher06.asp

Second pinkmonkey.com quote

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/catcher13.asp

Third pinkmonkey.com quote

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/catcher27.asp

All page referances:

Salinger, J.D.; The Catcher in the Rye, Penguin, London, copywrite 1945, 1946 by J.D. Salinger.

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