In Holden Caulfield, J. D. Salinger created one of the most identifiable-with literary characters - the protagonist's passion and contempt, his fierce need to be his own person, the nonchalance towards people yet an inexplicable yearning to talk to them anyways, his hunger for knowledge and disdain for pretension, his borderline Messiah complex- we all have had such emotions and internal conflicts. Especially in our youth - the rawness, the passion, the romanticism, and the nascent cynicism. But as we grow up and mature, these still exist, but we filter our thoughts and moderate our behaviour to fulfil the societal definition of well-adjusted human beings. At this stage, Holden's absolute emotions and reactions elicit a fear of the very ability to relate to him. To be that way, in my opinion, might be liberating but is socially sacrilegious- acceptable during the Terrible Teens but not after. I guess people who would continue to act like him would be outcasts or committed to institutions or kept suppressed and restrained by the “saner” ones in their families.
The angst and struggle between society and individual is chronic. The extraneous expectations and your personal judgment are in a constant conflict. Acceptable for one is phoney for the other.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Another thing that stood out to me is Holden's thinking that yelling “Good luck” to people is plain terrible. I do see some credibility in the statement. In fact, “good luck” & “anybody would be lucky to be with you” are the two things people think will others feel better, give them hope. But it is such a norm, said so mechanically and superficially that it worsens things if you think about it. As if one could not get about without someone wishing them luck, their ability and intent would lack the necessary bearings without it.
No comments:
Post a Comment