"it is immoral and cannot be taught in our schools" - Discuss

"I am the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life."

(16)

Holden Caulfield is a good liar. Holden even admits to it. Many people might say that this is setting a bad example but throughout story his lies make people feel better. For example, when Holden was on the train to New York a lady came on and sat next to him. This lady happened to be the mother of a kid that was in Holden's class. His name was Ernest Morrow. Holden tells us that he thinks Ernest is "the biggest bastard that ever went to Penecy". However, he started telling Mrs. Morrow how Ernest was one of the most popular boys at Penecy, how funny he was, and how everyone wanted Ernie to be class president, but Ernie wouldn't let anyone nominate him. Holden had no obligation to rave about Ernest. He could have told Mrs. Morrow the truth about how her son acts, and what people think about him. Instead he sheltered her from the truth, and helped her to stop stressing and worrying about how her Ernest was doing socially with the other boys.

Another incident in the book that could easily be misapprehended is the prostitute scene. When you think of a prostitute you think immoral, and inappropriate. When Holden orders for the prostitute to be sent to him he just doesn't think of her as a person. But, when he sees her in her green dress, he pictures her buying the dress and how the people at the store didn't know that she was a prostitute and he empathized with her. After he thinks about her and feels for her he can't have intercourse or use her any more. He makes up a reason for not being able to have sex with her, pays her off and then she leaves. This shows that Holden sees and treats people how they should be seen or treated.

Holden Caulfield, from what we know, doesn't come from a religious family. However, we do know that he doesn't like people who are always very pushy with their religion. When he is sitting at the train station, two nuns come and sit next to him. He sees that one of them has a collection basket. Even though she wasn't collecting money Holden still gives her 10 dollars for when she is collecting for charity. An immoral and corrupt teenager would not voluntarily give 10 dollars to charity when they could keep it for themselves. Holden, even though he isn't Catholic, still knows that nuns do good for the needy people in the world and people should contribute, for that is the least they can do.

Lastly, when Holden goes to Phoebe's school he sees a "fuck you" written on the wall, he thinks about how the kids would see it and wonder what it meant. He didn't want Phoebe to see that so he erased it. Also, when he goes to the museum of art to meet Phoebe, he goes to the part of the museum where the Egyptian exhibit is. When he looks up on the wall written there again is "fuck you". Even though Holden always uses these words, he doesn't want his younger sister being exposed to that kind of profanity. He does care about innocence and morality.

"...You can't ever find a place that's nice and peaceful, because there isn't any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when you're not looking, somebody'll sneak up and write 'Fuck You' right under your nose..."

Pg. 204

The virtuousness, morality, or principles are as apparent as the depravities throughout the novel of The Catcher In The Rye. Although when you actually read and examine the book you realize that there are no immoralities. The only way you can come to that conclusion, is with ignorance and a lack of knowledge. To fully recognize and understand the hidden ideas or picture the author is trying to portray in the readers' minds you need knowledge and insight.