by J.D. Salinger
pgs 156-214
Theme is defined as the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work and motif is defined as recurring image, phrase, idea, or situation used throughout a work, unifying new ideas to a theme. Though they have different definitions, I believe the two are very closely related in this novel.
The motif I got from this novel was Holden's attempts to distance himself from adults and maturity. He was very focused on things in-between (like a pond half-frozen) and on finding ways to relate to children. One thing he says he really likes to spend time with his little sister Phoebe- "Anyway, I like it now...Sitting here and chewing the fat and horsing..." (Salinger, 172). In section 3, he tied a girl's skate and wanted to hang out with her. In section four, he walked two younger boys around the museum- "They stuck close as hell to me, and the one that didn't talk at all practically was holding onto my sleeve" (Salinger, 204).
He refers to many people as "old" as a way to differentiate himself from them and their maturity or age, even though some are the same age as him. He calls his friends old to give the impression that he is younger than them. Even though he may act less mature many times, Holden is in his late teens, the same age as his classmates and roommate. However, he seem to get along much better with those younger than him. He was very close to his little brother Allie, and he is very close to his little sister.
A recurring situation is Holden hanging out with younger children, and having much more fun or being more comfortable than when he spends time with people his age or older. The insight is that not everyone matures steadily or completely. Some people just don't want to grow up.
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