The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger was a fantastic book. It followed the journey of Holden Caulfield as he went back home to New York after being kicked out of his boarding school. The book focused a lot on Holden trying to find himself and his fear of growing up. Holden was a very realistic and relatable character, and I learned to love him throughout the book. I really could identify with him and the story itself. However, while I was reading, I always questioned whether Holden was the hero. I have come to the decision that no matter how much I love Holden, he would not be classified as the hero.Someone unexpected is actually the hero.
Holden was a very lost and confused seventeen year old. He didn't want to grow up so instead he remained childish and immature. He was afraid of adulthood, and thought of most adults as phonies; he was afraid of becoming a phony, where in fact if he was on the outside looking in, he would probably consider himself a phony. He was always distracting himself from his loneliness, fears, and hidden frustration. For example, Holden hired a prostitute (93 Salinger), but not for the reason you would think. He actually just wants to talk to her because he feels so alone. He also never addresses anything, he just ignores it and hopes for it to go away. For example, he doesn't tell his parents he got kicked out of boarding school. Also he doesn't want to deal with dealing with his future so he just ignores it. He doesn't think about how doing well in school can help him get a job and have a good life, instead he doesn't apply himself in school. He is afraid of failure and disappointing his parents so he never really tries at anything, including school. He is a complete mess. He is too confused and scared of his own life, and he isn't capable of helping anyone, not even himself. The hero of a story "displays courage, self-sacrifice, endures hardship, learns lessons, and is noble and often helps others" (classwork sheet). Holden goes through hardship, but that's about it. He definitely isn't a hero, he himself was the one need of saving.
The hero mostly likely in the book would be Phoebe, Holden's sister. Throughout the book, she takes care of Holden and cares for him like a mother would. She is definitely the mother figure, but could potentially be the hero as well. She is the one who gives Holden money when he visits New York: "You keep it. Keep it for me" (79-81 Salinger). She is the one who hides him in her closet so their parents don't find him. She's the one who is willing to go with him when Holden wants to leave at the end of the book (so she can make sure he's ok). She the one who stops him from leaving. She's the one who saves him from himself and the world. Her happiness (when she is riding the carrousel) at the end of the book shows Holden that there is hope. It shows him that life can be good. It shows him that his family must come first. And most importantly, Phoebe shows him the real world is tough, but you just half to make the best of it; that's all anyone can do.
Holden was a person I grew to love, but he in no way was he the hero of the story. He didn't do the saving, but actually was saved. Maybe in the future and another book, he could be mature, and he could do the saving and be the hero.
