Holden Caulfield and the Fountain of Youth
Allie, Phoebe, Jane, James Castle. All legends in the world of Holden Caulfield. All connected by a common theme: their perpetual youth and purity. Throughout the novel, we get a detailed (and almost exhausting) account of the many things that contribute to Holden’s cynicism. However, a select few are safe from Holden’s overgeneralized criticisms of the world. These few, to Holden, are almost frozen in time, forever innocent and free. To Holden, Allie and James Castle’s early deaths leave only an impression of their character before they died. Allie was young, joyful, and shared many of Holden’s passions. Perhaps he might have grown up and stayed the same, but he could very well have changed into a different person, just as D.B. did. Holden was forced to deal with D.B. growing up and working in Hollywood, destroying his idol: young D.B., who was an authentic, passionate storywriter. But in a somewhat ironic way, young Allie will be forever immortalized to Holden as a result of his unti...