Posted by Matt on November 08, 1999 at 18:39:38:

In Reply to: JD Salinger-Holden connection posted by Evan on April 06, 1999 at 11:45:22:

There are many sequences during the Catcher In The Rye (by JD Salinger) where Holden fits the requirements for being a Hero. These requirements "composed" by Joseph Campbell, and portrayed in his video interview "The Hero's Journey". The video illustrated some of his most important ideas/thoughts about Heroes. They deal with the inner self, the journey, a teacher, and situations encountered along the journey. They deal with people benefited by the journey and the change that occurred from it, and what happens when Holden returns home. These all contribute to Holden's conscience and nonconscience of his heroism.

Heroes must leave home and journey through an unknown realm.

Holden leaves his "known" realm of Pencey Prep to journey to New York City. NYC is his 'unknown realm', and although his house is there, he is almost never there. In New York he matures as a person, as he becomes an adult and sees the world much differently. He notices different things and yzes different situations differently also.

Along the way they must face and overcome a number of challenges, which are either physical, mental, or spiritual.

Holden experiences all 3 of the challenges. He gets beat up by Maurice and Stradlater, which is a physical challenge. He experiences lust with Sunny. He experiences fear of growing up and becoming a phony, and he also fears change. These things, although seemingly "bad" at the time, help Holden continue on his journey. They all force him to change (semi-dramatically). He faces a spiritual quasi-challenge in school, because he is almost against all odds, and he holds his ground when he is confronted about what he truly believes. A mental challenge for him was dealing with Allie's death and the depression that followed because of it. That was also spiritual. With his dream of being the "Catcher In The Rye", he goes into deep thought about the nuns he met, and what they live for. His dreams of living life are much like the way a nun lives life. Also he is confronted with "Social Duty", and Holden gives in, but at the same time disgusted with it. Examples of this are the scenes where he is turned down trying to order drinks, and when he calls up Faith Cavendish and tries to act older than he is.

The benefits or rewards of their success must fall to others. In other words, they must save the princess, the village, or even the world through their actions, without any expectation of payment for themselves.

Holden decides to stay in NYC, and not go out west, keeps Phoebe from being hysterical. His dream to be a 'Catcher In The Rye' is symbolic. He wants to keeps kids innocent, and save them from becoming phonies, and growing up. He would save a Phoebe first. Without actually being the 'Catcher In the Rye', he could still realize his dream by becoming a doctor, guidance counselor, or Teacher, he could still help/save the kids. Holden, by saving others, saves himself

The Hero must return home after completing their test, but they are forever changed by the experience.

When Holden 'returns home', he communicates/teaches Phoebe of what he wants to do when he "grows up". He tells the reader of his experiences with his 3 days in NYC that changed him forever. In his experiences there are many symbols. The ducks in Central Park can represent change. The Museum and how Holden does not want to go in, represents his fear of change also. There are many others that show some symbolism like his Hunting Hat.

In most stories of a Hero there is some spiritual teacher/leader. They often give their "pupil" something from the past to help them on their journey. In Star Wars it was Obiwan-Kenobi for Luke Skywalker, and in the Catcher In The Rye, Holden has Mr. Antolini. When Mr. Antolini gives Holden that piece of paper with the quote "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."

In many myths there is a Dragon guarding something valuable or precious. People must conquer their inner dragon, and in Holden has a few dragons but one is Pencey Prep, which is holding Holden back. Although that is not inner self, it is something that is holding Holden back from his valuable/precious potential. I think that Mr. Antolini sees that in Holden. Also Spencer touches that a little in his conversation with Holden, and questions his knowledge of the Egyptians. This may be Pencey holding Holden back and his 3 days in New York City helped Holden conquer his inner dragon.

Holden changes and overcomes fear, lust, and physical/mental/spiritual challenges. He has a spiritual teacher. He helps someone. He is a true hero. He isn't Superman or Batman, but he experiences things and changes unlike your typical "Superhero". He set out on the road to adulthood, and found "the light at the end of the tunnel." Holden's life is forever changed by his experiences in the 3 days he was in NYC. Holden is a "Cirstantial Hero", as he sticks up for himself, and will be heroic if necessary but does not want to be "famous" and known, as that would be change, something Holden doesn't want. He realizes this indirectly, as he is heroic under certain cirstances. This is a unique trait uncovered by slaying his inner dragon. Holden has amazing potential, but was never allowed to utilize it. It all depended on the cirstances.

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