During this week’s reading, my mind kept wandering back to the novel How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Within that novel, the first chapter is entitled “Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When it’s Not).” The main parts of a quest include, a quester, a place to go, a reason to go there, challenges and trials, and the real reason to go (which is always self knowledge). The notes from Chapter 1 of How to Read Literature like a Professor also state that a quest can be long, but it can also be as small as going to get a loaf of bread.
In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden is the quester. Holden’s final destination is supposed to be home, but amongst his aimless wandering, I am questioning whether or not he will actually end up there. The reason for his quest is that he got kicked out of Pencey for failing four classes. Along the way home, Holden must occupy himself for a few days so that his family doesn’t figure out he got kicked out of school if he returns home too soon. Holden experiences many trials and challenges as he has to move from place to place, pay for meals and housing, and try to socialize. Not being incredibly successful with any of these, Holden asks a girl to run away with him and eventually get married, but he is rejected. Will Holden eventually make his way home, or will he just get out of the city and live on his own?
Holden’s quest has been long and drawn out, but the real reason for his quest is to gain self-knowledge. Along this journey, Holden is sure to discover his place in this world, because the challenges and trials he experiences will help shape him into a better person.
Can I just add, thank God that you made us read How to Read Literature like a Professor?! :)
Catcher***
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