Levels of Meaning in The Catcher in the RyeProtected by a cocoon of naivety, Holden Caulfield, the main character of the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, therapeutically recounts his solitary stay 24 hours a day in downtown New York, experiencing the world of "fake" adults while dealing with the death of his innocent younger brother. Through this well-developed teenage character, JD Salinger, uses simple language and dialogue to outline many of the complex underlying issues that plague teenagers. With a unique beginning and ending and an original look at our new society, The Catcher in the Rye is understood and appreciated on multiple levels of understanding. The book provides new insights and a new vision of the world in which teenagers live. One way readers can gauge their level of understanding in this story is to explore the meaning of the title, its effect on the book's theme, and how it provides an in-depth look at Holden's character. As a tool that requires attention, the title can also provide a mystery that the reader can understand by piecing together the clues hidden in the text. To an experienced reader, who may be familiar with the book, the image of a catcher in the rye is evident throughout the story. However, for a new reader the journey begins beyond halfway through the book. While scanning the city around him, Holden sees a child walking down the street "singing and humming." As Holden gets closer, he realizes that the kid is signing that song, "If a body catches a body going through the rye" in a very cute voice, causing the traffic to come to an abrupt halt and making Holden feel "not so depressed." )So far, the title words are just a catchy song, although their repetition, in a mo key......middle of paper......the final tune, by Robert Burns, has the phrase " If a body meets a body that comes through the rye,” not “If a body catches a body that comes through the rye.” This is not the first time Holden has distorted something, although this lie has meaning. The original poem is about the love of two people meeting, while Holden's image is of children falling and being caught. Love is replaced by Holden protecting the children, who are facing a death-like situation, a change that shows how much of an impact Allie's death had on Holden's life. One could also see that Holden himself is losing his innocence and needs a Catcher in the Rye himself, the central paradox of the book. Ultimately any reader could say that "The Catcher in the Rye" is Holden Caulfield, although this title opens a door to understanding his profound personality, the theme of the book, while exploring the central paradox.