The Catcher in the Rye

How does Holden attempt to communicate with Jane? What might be implied in his message?

Ultimately do you think his attempts will ne effective, why or why not?

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Last updated by tracey c #171707
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From Holden's description of the way Jane plays checkers, with more regard for the symmetry of the pieces on the board than for the outcome of the game, we wish that she might have been introduced into the action of the novel. In Holden's great fear of Jane's fate at the hands of Stradlater we find the seed of the "catcher in the rye" image. He wants to protect her innocence from the potentially corrupting influence of Stradlater. Thus, the lonely youth seeking to establish human companionship is simultaneously concerned with protecting innocence. The two activities work hand in hand.

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Catcher in the rye