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Holden Caulfield’s Limbo

In Salinger’s book, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is depicted as a character

caught between two worlds: the world of play and the world of work. The world does not allow

people to retain their youthful nature for long. However, there are times when children do not

shed their childhood cocoons and enter adulthood. When that occurs, a character like Holden

emerges. As a result, this paper argues that Holden Caulfield exemplifies the limbo between

childhood and adulthood. The paper discusses the ways in which Holden is portrayed as a

character existing between the two phases of life.

The metaphorical use of limbo in connection with Holden is meaningful and productive

because he is intentionally trying to dodge adulthood and remain a child. Holden wants to remain

an innocent child, unmarked and unburdened with worldly vices. The analogy of Holden’s limbo

signifies a person’s sheltered status from the effects of space and time. Essentially, limbo

signifies immobility and immortality. Therefore, by condemning adult life, it is clear that Holden
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wants to stop time and remain a child forever. He is concerned about the idealistic effort to stop

the flow of time and its inevitable consequences.

According to Holden, change signifies something unpleasant. Therefore, he believes that

things should not be altered because change provokes suffering. Through Holden’s talk regarding

the museum, one is presented with insights into how his mind perceives change. He tries to

highlight his perception of the museum. Because everything about the museum neither changes

nor ages, Holden believes that it is the best place. He says that nothing changes because every

dummy performs the same action irrespective of the number of times one goes into the museum

(Salinger 157). It is clear that Holden cherishes the captivating nature of the museum because it

does not change. Therefore, it seems that he wants to become one of the unchanging porcelains

in the museum that are stranded in time.

Apart from the museum, Holden also feels that his former school hasd an aura of serenity

and comfort due to its unchanging nature. Holden describes his former school in a manner that

gives him internal peace. He reminisces about its inner parts that have not changed. As a result,

Holden opens his heart because of the happiness. Initially, he is not certain whether he can recall

the inside of the school. Upon entering, he says that the place has changed since he left (Salinger

259). The school stirs up good memories for Holden. Thus, he describes the things that have

remained the same. It is clear that Holden values the unchanging nature of the school and feels

nostalgic from his time in the institution. By appreciating the unchanging nature of his former

school, Holden signifies that he is stuck in the limbo of childhood and adulthood.

Although Holden is mesmerized by how the museum and his former school have not

changed, he is aware that his fantasy of unchanging time cannot be realized. He wishes that he

could display some of his things and not touch them because certain things should be left
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unchanged and untouched. Therefore, he regrets that he is not capable of doing so. To be more

specific, Holden wants to be left in limbo, displayed behind the glass, and unburdened by adult

life and its inescapable human sins. This shows that he does not want to reachenter adulthood.

Holden prefers to stay in his current state because any change brings discomfort.

Another possible association with the state of limbo is Holden’s deep affinity for

children. A personPeople who longs to retain their youth tends to have a good relationship with

children. In the novel, Holden shows that he respects and admires children. His love for children

is apparent when he meets two children at the museum and takes a shine to them. It is important

to point out that Holden has an amazing ability to transform himself into a child when he

encounters children. When he talks with the two children at the museum, he creates the

atmosphere that the conversation involves three playful boys (Salinger 262-263). In addition,

Holden gets great pleasure from spending time with his little sister and he is enthralled by her

innocent virtues.

Holden’s state of limbo can be depicted by how he hovers between maturity and

immaturity. There are many instances throughout the novel in which Holden behaves

immaturely. For example, he considers himself to be 12 years old rather than seventeen. His

immaturity is noted by people such as Carl Luce and Mr. Antolini. He even says that he is tired

of people remarking on his age and immature acts (Salinger 13). However, there are situations

where he comes close to adulthood. In addition to his height and gray hair, Holden also takes

responsibility at rare moments. For instance, he refuses to take his younger sister on a dangerous

trip and decides to return home (Salinger 269,270).

Holden embodies the state of limbo by resenting adult people. While Holdenhe seems to

enjoy himself when spending time with children, it is clear that he points out the ugliness and
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hypocrisy of adulthood. There are numerous instances throughout the novel where Holden shows

how he condemns and despises the adult world. He refers to everybody he meets as ‘phony.’

Holden uses this word to describe individuals who appear to be too conventional and traditional

as well as people who try to portray false realities. For example, Holden targets his criticism at

the headmaster of his former school and the woman who refuses to take her child on a bathroom

break (Salinger 19, 181). However, his treatment of children is a sharp contrast to how he

criticizes adult people.

In addition, Holden’s state of limbo is exemplified by how he mediates between

experience and innocence. He believes virginity is a reflection of innocence. When the

opportunities of losing his virginity appears, Holden refuses to take advantage and opts to remain

a virgin because he feels that sex is related to adulthood. Therefore, Holden seems to value

innocence more than sex. He prefers to kiss and hold a girl’s hand rather have sex with her.

Although Holden clings to innocence, there are occasions when he exudes adult experience. He

feels that the innocence of children might be corrupted and soiled by traces of perverseness. As a

result, Holden feels disgusted when he sees the phrase "fuck you" written on the wall of his

former school (Salinger 260-261). HoldenHe fails to realize that vulgar language is part of

teenage development. Therefore, he seems to behave like an adult.

To sum up the above-mentioned instances of Holden’s behavior, it is clear that he

exemplifies the limbo between childhood and adulthood. In the novel, Holden is depicted as a

character torn between the world of play and the world of work. With seventeen years of age,

Holden is not a child yet he is terrified of and even despises adulthood.

Works Cited

Salinger, Jerome. The Catcher in the Rye. London: Loran Printing Press, 2013. Print.