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The Catcher In The Rye - Holden's World View

In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the world as an evil and
corrupt place where there is no peace. This perception of the world
does not change significantly through the novel. However as the novel
progresses, Holden gradually comes to the realization that he is
powerless to change this.

During the short period of Holden's life covered in this book,
"Holden does succeed in making us perceive that the world is crazy".1
Shortly after Holden leaves Pencey Prep he checks in to the Edmont
Hotel. This is where Holden's turmoil begins. Holden spends the
following evening in this hotel which was "full of perverts and
morons. (There were) screwballs all over the place."2 His situation
only deteriorates from this point on as the more he looks around this
world, the more depressing life seems.

Around every corner Holden sees evil. He looks out on a world
which appears completely immoral and unscrupulous. The three days we
learn of from the novel place a distressed Holden in the vicinity of
Manhattan. The city is decked with decorations and holiday splendor,
yet, much to Holden's despair "seldom yields any occasions of peace,
charity or even genuine merriment."3 Holden is surrounded by what he
views as drunks, perverts, morons and screwballs. These convictions
which Holden holds waver very momentarily during only one particular
scene in the book. The scene is that with Mr. Antolini. After Mr.
Antolini patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping, Holden
jumped up and ran out thinking that Mr. Antolini was a pervert as
well. This is the only time during the novel where Holden thinks twice
about considering someone as a pervert. After reviewing Mr. Antolini,
Holden finally concludes that maybe he wasn't making a "flitty" pass
at him. Maybe he just like patting guys...

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