Holden Caulfield Loss Of Innocence

The works of J.D. Salinger's Catcher and the Rye has resonated inside society for generations. Throughout the novel, Holden–a teenager who is spiraling towards a mental breakdown–experiences difficulties growing up. After the loss of his brother and the expulsion from his school, he starts to form his own opinions on the adult world. Throughout Holden’s experiences, his mind becomes more and more tainted as he his innocence slowly leaves him. He idolizes other people who have not yet been through what he has. Salinger uses symbolism to demonstrate how Holden despises the loss of innocence in growing up.
The longing for innocence Holden has is displayed in his memories about going to the museum. When he was younger, his class would take trips there very often. Salinger writes, “It always smelled like it was raining outside, even if it wasn't, and you were in the only nice, dry, cosy place in the world” (Sallinger 120). This is an analogy that can be applied to innocence, as well. The museum reminds him of his childhood where he was protected from the

outside world. He recalls his childhood as the only place where he feels a sense of community and innocence, which is completely lost when growing up. He doesn’t have anywhere he can go that gives him the sort of protection he had when he was young. Holden recalls how the museum gives him a sense of protection, as well as community because he is with his class.
Holden’s desire for innocence can also be seen in his relationship to his ten-year-old sister, Phoebe.

She is much younger than Holden, and for that reason he sees her as innocent. Holden states, “I can read that kind of stuff, some kid’s notebook., Phoebe’s or anybody’s, all day and all night long” (Sallinger 161). Holden enjoys reading the what kids write in their notebooks because he likes to know about the untainted and pure mind. He talks to her because she is someone he can talk to that isn’t a “phony” and doesn’t fully understand the harsh realities of the real world. Holden has been through many marks against him; his “friends” at his school did not truly care about him, he was expelled from his school, and his brother died very young. He feels like it is his oasis from the bitter world he has seen. Holden feels that he needs to talk to Phoebe (or someone else similar to her), otherwise he will lose his

sanity.
Similar to his relationship with his sister, Holden’s sorrow over the loss of his brother illustrates Holden’s attachment to innocence. Holden lost his eleven-year-old brother, Allie, due to leukemia. He reveals, “He was also the nicest, in lots of ways. He never got mad at anybody… He used to laugh so hard at something he thought of at the dinner table that he just about fell off his chair” (Salinger 38). In Holden’s mind, Allie is permanently in a state of purity and being eleven-years-old. Since he was taken from life so early, Holden almost looks up to him, even though he is younger. He admires how easy he was to talk to and his young and innocent outlook on life. Holden’s loss of Allie displays Holden’s attachment to innocence and purity.