Pedosexuality in Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

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The North America Man- Boy Love Association defines ‘Pedosexual’ as an adult with a love of children. In the likes of hetero, homo, and bisexuals, pedosexuality is sexuality not a fetish. Not to be confused with pedophiliacs, who are intimate with unwilling, or unknowing partners, pedosexuals engage in “freely chosen mutually consenting relationships” (nambla.org). Through the securitization of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, it is shown that Holden Caulfield is a pedosexual. Holden engage in some inappropriate behavior, by social norms, involving children. He is also very leery of adult affection, because he knows what dangers can come of it. Such intense feelings towards children would be deemed extremely inexcusable in any time, let alone the 1940’s. Anyone with sexual feelings beyond the status quo would be made to feel very ashamed of them self and throughout the novel Holden shows guilt and shame for his sexuality.

What is deemed as ‘normal’ interaction and behavior with children so widely debated, but even with an air of doubt, when Holden’s interactions with children are listed in full, one starts to wonder. While walking along a busy street, Holden’s temptations get the better of him as e gets up close to a little boy who is lagging behind his parents. Holden gets in close enough to listen to the boy singing. He then follows the boy at this close proximity for a block or two. He says that “the kid was swell… He had a pretty little voice… It made me feel good,” (Salinger, 115). He shows some obvious feelings and real emotions for the first time in the book. Another instance when Holden shows an unarguable affection for children is while at the park, looking for his sister. His feelings increase and his actions ...

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... interact with adults in an adequate way. The incident with Mr. Antolini shows how uncomfortable Holden is around adults and how he truly does feel remorse for his pedosexual ways, even if on a subconscious level.

Holden Caulfield has an utter lack of understanding of appropriate behavior around children. He also exudes guilt and the desire to run away and start all over again, and has very little understanding or ‘parental’ affection. These and other pedosexual behavior can be found in abundance throughout J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Holden shows the desire for intergenerational intimacy, not necessarily rape. It is plainly proven that Holden is among the growing minority of people, such as NAMBLA, that simply has a love of children, as a homosexual loves a man.

Works Cited

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.

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