In chapter 22, on being asked by Phoebe on what he wishes to do in the future, Holden informs her that he wishes to be the ‘catcher in the rye’. He tells her of the poem ‘if a body catch a body comin’ through the rye’. Phoebe corrects him instantly that the word was not ‘catch’ but ‘meet’ in the poem. It must be added that the original poem by Robert Burns is regarding a young girl having a sexual encounter in a field of rye, and in the poem it questions the permissibility of casual sexual intercourse. Holden’s misinterpretation of this poem is completely opposite to the meaning of it. This is because Holden’s ambition to be the ‘catcher’ involves him guarding young children in a field of rye and preventing them (by catching them) from falling of a ‘crazy cliff’. So, by not allowing children to ‘fall’ into the adult world of cynicism, hypocrisy and most importantly ‘phoniness’, he is protecting their innocence.
Furthermore, Phoebe dismisses Holden’s romanticised ambition, and that is why this setting is significant as it is the first time that Holden has described his ambition to anyone. This setting also presents the importance of his relationship with his sister. Moreover, it also shows the deep connection that he has with his young sister. This is explained by the fact that Phoebe does not actually fit in with Holden’s romanticised dream, as she is anything but innocent and naïve, displaying at times, maturity far beyond her age of ten.
Another setting considered of importance in the novel is Mr and Mrs Antolini’s ‘swanky’ apartment. In this setting Holden’s relationship is revealed with his former teacher Mr Antolini. What is most interesting is that Mr Antolini is the only adult who Holden trusts, and this is perhaps why he went to Mr Antolini’s home, when he was at his lowest state, because by this point in the novel Holden is in an awful condition both mentally and physically for example he mentions that he felt ‘dizzy’.
It must also be added that this setting is symbolic because Mr Antolini was the only individual who picked up James Castle’s dead boy at Elkton Hills. So, by going to Mr Antolini, it could be suggested that Holden wishes Mr Antolini to be his ‘catcher’ and that is perhaps why Holden goes to him, for comfort and security, but most importantly, for advice. Mr Antolini warns Holden that he is heading for a ‘fall’ and that Holden is ‘dying nobly’ for a ‘highly unworthy cause’.
But, Holden’s trust in Mr Antolini is threatened when he wakes up to find him ‘patting’ his head. After this incident, Holden leaves immediately and mentions that acts such as this ‘perverty stuff’ happened to him about ‘twenty times’ since he was a child. This statement and encounter with Mr Antolini is rather ambiguous, however what is very interesting is that after leaving, Holden evaluates his judgement regarding Mr Antolini. This is very unusual for Holden to do, as this is the first time that Holden evaluates his judgement and in fact in chapter twenty five, Holden wonders that maybe Mr Antolini was not making a ‘flitty pass’ at him. He also thinks about how kind it was of Mr Antolini to allow him to come to his apartment at such a late time.
To conclude, Salinger uses settings with intelligent thought, Mr Antolini’s apartment and at Holden’s home to display Holden’s relationships with other young people and adults. Both settings provide us with valuable insights into the mind of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield.
