What universal theme does The Catcher in the Rye address? What does the author understand about human nature?

The universal theme of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is the difficulty growing up and finding your own identity. The main character Holden Caulfield is the main representation of this theme because he does not want to grow up. He is very immature and is told often by other characters that he needs to grow up. The future clearly worries Holden because he thinks that most adults are phonies, and does not want to become like them. He does not want to change or become any different and this can be seen through his visit to the Museum of Natural History. Holden reminisces about how he went there as a child several times, and how he admired that things always stayed the same in there no matter how the rest of the world changed( Salinger 157). Holden thinks of the bird and Eskimo exhibits and how they would never change (Salinger 157). At the same time though he is saddened by thinking about his sister Phoebe going into the museum and seeing the same things that he did (Salinger 158). Holden grows depressed thinking about how every time Phoebe goes into the museum she is different (Salinger 158). He resents that something new has happened each time she enters the museum and her outlook has changed slightly (Salinger 158). Holden then expresses his wish to just freeze time and keep it safe and from changing behind a glass case like in the museum (Salinger 158). This shows how much change scares Holden, and how he wants to just freeze time even though he knows it is impossible.

It is clear to me after reading The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger understands humanity's fear of the future and people that may influence change. This is represented by Holden's desire to move out into the country where he would live as a deaf mute (Salinger 257). This fantasy shows Holden wanting to completely be able to control his future by mapping it all out. By living as a mute he could be able to control even whom he comes in contact with. By pretending to be a deaf mute, Holden would not have to interact with other people and this could control who he lets influence his life. He even dreams of having a deaf mute wife, and this shows how deep Holden's aversion to other people runs (Salinger 258). If he had his way the person that would be closest to him could never talk to him neither.

Bibliography:Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.