The Catcher in the Rye Group

Question:

beanalchemist
beanalchemist
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What are some of Holden's thoughts about God, religions, and religious hypocrisy?

Rate question:

Posted by beanalchemist on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at 4:31 PM and tagged with god, holden, religion, the catcher in the rye.

Answers:

  1. leahkirby789
    leahkirby789 Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The character of Holden Caulfield struggles with ideas about God and religion and is himself confused on the subject.  Many of his comments about God/religion are contradictory.  He disrespects leaders of the religious community but likes the two nuns he meets in Manhattan.  Throughout the book he prays yet says he is an atheist.  His habit of saying "god damn it" throughout the book could be taken as a symbol of his confusion about God - admitting there is a God only to use the name in vain.

    Rate answer:

    Posted by leahkirby789 on Friday September 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM