Levels of Sense 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 lonely 24-hour stay in downtown New York, discovering the "phony" world of 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 depict many of the complex underlying issues that haunt teenagers. With a unique beginning and ending and an original look at our new society, The Catcher in the Rye is understood and enjoyed on many levels of understanding. The book offers new perspectives and a new vision of the world in which adolescents live. One way for readers to gauge their level of understanding of this story is to explore the meaning of the title, its effect on the theme of the book, and how it provides a deep insight into Holden's character. Being an attention-demanding tool, the title can also provide a mystery that the reader can figure out 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 after the middle of the book. While scanning the city around him, Holden spots a child walking down the street "singing and humming." As Holden approaches, he realizes that the kid is signing this song, "If a body catches a body coming through the rye" in a very pretty voice, suddenly stopping traffic and making Holden not feels “not so depressed.” )So far the title lyrics are just a catchy song, although their repetition, at a key moment...... middle of paper......the original melody, by Robert Burns , contains the phrase "If a body catches a body coming through the rye", not "If a body catches a body coming through the rye". This is not the first time Holden has misrepresented something, although this lie has meaning. The original poem is about the love of two people meeting, while the image of Holden is of children falling and being caught. The love is replaced by Holden protecting the children, who are faced with a near-death situation, a change showing how much Allie's death has impacted Holden's life. Holden himself could also be seen to be losing his innocence and in need himself. of a Catcher in the Rye, 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 him. deep personality, the theme of the book, while exploring the central paradox.