Catcher in the Rain
Anyway, we kept getting closer and closer to the carrousel and you could start to hear that nutty music it always plays. It was playing "Oh, Marie!" It played that same song about fifty years ago when I was a little kid. That's one nice thing about carrousels, they always play the same songs...
Boy, it began to rain like a bastard... My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection, in a way; but I got soaked anyway. I didn't care, though. I felt so damn happy all of sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don't know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could've been there.
In the final moments of his story, Holden watches his sister Phoebe ride the carousel while being drenched by the rain. He's inexplicably happy, despite being cold, wet, and exhausted. For a second, it seems the rain rinses away each layer of negativity, and for the first time in the book, Holden experiences true happiness.
The carousel symbolizes innocence; the image of Phoebe on the carousel is similar to Holden's preserved memories of Allie. Holden wishes childhood innocence was akin to riding around and around in an endless loop on a carousel. While Phoebe is riding the carousel, she is safely kept within the bounds of the childhood motif and gently carried around, protected from Holden's frightening image of reaching adulthood (falling off a cliff). Watching Phoebe come around the corner again and again is the picture of innocence Holden had always wanted to see.
The rain, too, is an important component of this scene. Before, had he been in the rain, Holden would've complained to the reader, but here, he instead focuses on his feelings. Rather than fighting the fact that he's soaking wet, Holden accepts it, as if he's accepted the reality he lives in. Moments before, Holden promised Phoebe he wouldn't actually leave home, and now, he welcomes the rain, Subconsciously, Holden likely knows that both of these are out of his control, and he has to come to terms with them.
Comparing the first few pages to the final "scene" in the novel, I don't think The Catcher in the Rye is necessarily a failed coming-of-age novel. Even if he hasn't matured in the traditional sense, Holden's acceptance of reality here is significant. Despite not having "grown" like characters in other coming-of-age novels, Holden's mindset shifting from utter rejection of differing views to accepting reality is in itself self-growth.
I really like this interpretation of the final scene in the book. Even though for a majority of the novel everyone has seen it as a potential failed coming-of-age novel, this last scene might be the one positive development in Holden's character. He's can now in a way accept phoniness as a part of reality.
ReplyDeleteThis is so well put!! Every single idea and metaphor you talked about seemed to fit so well and were things that I never really noticed or thought about. I definitely agree with you that this wasn't really a failed coming-of-age narrative as Holden does show some change as he's a least a little more open towards things like applying himself in school at the end of the novel. I also think it's hard for Holden to completely mature given the fact that we only read about 2-ish days of Holden's life.
ReplyDeleteYes! I also thought that Holden learning the concept of acceptance and adapting to developments in his life (like the rain) rather than pushing back against them was super important to his coming of age. At the very end, he talks pretty calmly about the fact that he doesn't know what will happen when he goes back to school and whether he'll apply himself, and he feels resigned to just see where life will take him. I think this is definitely an unusual ending but one that works for someone like Holden who was previously stuck in the past and unwilling and unable to accept change.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you were able to tie all the details of this scene (even seemingly insignificant ones, like the rain) together to support your claim. I definitely agree that this isn't a failed coming of age since he's now more accepting of reality, and the significance of the details you point out convinced me even further of his growth. As you point out, he hasn't matured in the traditional sense, but with the events of this book he's definitely taken the first few steps to doing so.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in this very good interpretation of the final scene we should consider the red hunting hat, which Phoebe has been wearing up to this point (after Holden gave it to her as a gift), which adds to the effect of her as a "mini-Holden" dragging her suitcase around NY and talking about quitting school. Every single time I read this scene (which must be around 30-40 at this point), I get choked up when Phoebe puts the hat on his head as it starts raining--it's just so sweet and simple, and it characterizes her role in "saving" Holden nicely. He comments about the "protection" the hat gives him, even though he's getting rained on and (significantly) all the "other adults" have sought shelter (Holden counts himself among the "adults"!). The rain is significant for all the reasons you mention, but the hat is significant as a reflection of the "protection" from those elements that the love of a person like Phoebe can provide. (I think I have something in my eye . . . )
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you interpreted this. I think calling Catcher in the Rye a failed coming-of-age narrative does it a disservice, as Holden isn't just a child growing up in his narrative, he has actual problems that need to be addressed. And the final scene in the rain is indicative of Holden not quite maturing yet, but simply being able to come to terms with the idea of maturity as a whole, something that had proven to be very difficult for him in the past. I think that's a concept you captured well, and something that I appreciate about this final scene in particular.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is such a great and clear analysis of the closing scenes of Holden’s narrative!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your interpretation of this final scene and all of the symbolism that lies within. I really love this scene, too. From the carousel, to Phoebe, to the rain, everything that seems like a small and insignificant detail at first (maybe to one who hasn’t read the novel) is in reality packed with symbolism of Holden’s journey and tendencies throughout the novel. I too share the same view that although Holden hasn’t come-of-age in the “traditional” sense by the end of the story, accepting growth and change (symbolized with the carousel and the rain, for example) is his own way of coming-of-age, or at least beginning on this process and stepping away from resistance. Accepting the world around him and that time inevitably passes and changes with him is, I feel, one of the biggest firsts steps in Holden’s journey to adulthood. Thanks!
I've never thought of "The Catcher in the Rye" like this! I really like this metaphor and this is the first time I'm actually realizing a bit of character development from Holden. I also commend you for bringing light to the different types of coming-of-age. In my class hour I know we discussed the different types of coming-of-age, but this post shows maturing in perspective of life, and I've never thought of that.
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