The Catcher in the Rye - 3

3) What universal themes does this book address?  What does the author understand about human nature?


I would say that the universal theme of The Catcher in the Rye is that you cannot get anywhere without knowing your destination. For example, throughout the book, Holden has no clue what he is doing or what he wants, so he does not know what goals he has.  You cannot achieve a goal without having a goal to start with (Salinger 187).
Unlike a lot of authors, Salinger does not think too much about wording or phrasing.  He focuses mainly on the human mind, and the thought process that comes from it.  I believe that to be human nature in its most basic form, which is why I think Salinger has a great understanding of many aspects of human nature. Salinger focuses on these techniques particularly while his characters are alone, or when they're given time to think.  A great example of this is when Holden is going for a walk.  Salinger writes about Holden's impulsive nature and his fears.  He writes about what interesting, random things Caulfield thinks of while strolling down the street.  His thoughts lead to actions that you would see someone doing on any occasion, which tells me that Salinger knows something about how human thought leads to action (Salinger 197).
The way Caulfield acts leads to more thoughts, and these thoughts lead to more actions.  The novel continues this cycle from beginning to end.  There is no skipping through time, and no detail is overlooked.  Every thought and action is accounted for, which is what makes this book so interesting.  When you look into someone's mind, it is nearly impossible to turn away from it.  Clearly, the author's understanding of human nature is evident in his writing about the human thought process, a basic aspect of human nature.
The theme of the novel ties in with the author's understanding of human nature.  Holden does not know what he wants because of his complete focus on human nature.  His impulsiveness shows that he is not focused on the complexities of modern times, but more concerned with the pleasures of living in the moment. 


Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1991