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Winssinger 1 Jessica Winssinger Driscoll English III 19 September 2013 If a Body Meet a Body: Holden and his Latent

Homosexuality Scholars often link the 1950s to a period of conformity and uniformity, devoid of acceptance to different ideologies. J.D. Salinger exposes ideas of self-discovery and alienation in his novel The Catcher in the Rye, portraying the protagonist Holden Caulfield as a misunderstood individualist whom is estranged from the conformist culture of consensus of the 1950s, as described by Timothy Aubry in his essay The Catcher in the Rye: The Voice of Alienation (2). In particular, Holden expresses acceptance to homosexuality in a time of its social inacceptance. Holdens behavior towards both the same and opposite sex elucidates a possibility of latent homosexuality, demonstrating symptoms of oppressed homosexual desires through his interactions with other characters in the novel. Holden shares an elaborate relationship with his roommate Ward Stradlater that provides insight to Holdens homosexual orientation, expressing admiration of Stradlaters physical attributes and enjoying his attention. Holden refers to Stradlaters sex appeal and physical appearance numerous times whilst recalling his days at Pencey Prep, constantly referring to him as a sexy bastard (Salinger 45) and observing his damn good build as he walked around in his bare torso (Salinger 34). Holden perpetuates this pattern when he explains that He always looked good when he was finishing fixing himself up, but he was a secret slob anyway, if you knew him the way I did, (Salinger 36). Holden not only admires Stradlaters physical attractiveness, but also implies an exclusive connection between Stradlater and himself.

Winssinger 2 Furthermore, Holden seeks Stradlaters attention, horsing around (Salinger 38) with him by wrestling and teasing. Holdens smug behavior following Stradlaters asking a favor of him confirms Holdens satisfaction when he feels Stradlaters attention and need for his aid: He was always asking you to do him a big favor. You take a very handsome guy, or a guy that thinks hes a real hot-shot, and theyre always asking you to do them a big favor. Just because theyre crazy about themselves, they thing youre crazy about them, too, and that youre just dying to do them a favor. Its sort of funny, in a way. (Salinger 36) According to Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study by Bieber Bieber, latent homosexuality is characterized by passive submissive responses to other males (Bieber 256); Holdens ultimate proceeding to assist Stradlater with his favor accompanied by his taunting and gibing unveils his hidden attraction to Stradlater and his delight found in Stradlaters dependence and attention. Holden also conveys his infatuation with Stradlater when he claims he has nothing better to do but to accompany Stradlater to the bathroom, where it is hot as hell and the windows were all steamy, and nervously turn the cold water on and off whilst he attentively watches Stradlater prepare for his date (Salinger 35). Holdens attentiveness to details and interest in Stradlaters activities chronicles evidence of Holdens attractiveness to Stradlater. Holdens admiration of Stradlater exposes possible emotional attachment that links to Holdens questioning sexuality. Furthermore, Holdens relationship with female characters, such as Jane Gallagher, Sally Hayes, and Sunny, reveals avoidance of his homosexuality and exposes his seeking for verification of his sexuality as heterosexual. Studies show that closeted homosexuals use coercion upon themselves to suppress their sexual desires by behaving as though they desire the

Winssinger 3 opposite sex. Jane Gallagher, never formally introduced in the novel, serves as a spirit of sorts that Holden holds on to, idolizing her as his perfect girl that he can forever say he has desire for, reassuring his attraction to females. However, serving as juxtaposition to his observance of Stradlater, Holden admires the personality of Jane rather than her physical attributes, reminiscing their games of checkers and caddying for her mother at a golf club (Salinger 41). Furthermore, throughout the book, Holden repeats that he will give her a buzz (Salinger 248), but never once communicates with her throughout the novel, perhaps to avoid the possibility that she is not the idolized girl he holds onto to reassure himself of his heterosexuality. In addition to his relationship with Jane, Holdens interactions with Sally also brings forth signs of reassurance when he insists that Sally run away with him, though later admitting that he [didnt] even know why [he] started all that stuff with her, and that he was a mad man for doing so (Salinger 174). In addition, Holdens aggressive reaction when Sally refuses to run away w ith him exposes feelings of frustration developed from deeper internal conflict. Moreover, Holdens decision to not have sex with Sunny, the prostitute he hires, and instead have a conversation with her and get to know her, highlights his evasion of sexual intimacy with girls and his unease with intimacy with the opposite sex. Holdens relations with females lacks attraction further than personality traits and sinks to deeper levels rather than heterosexual physical attraction. Moreover, Holden expresses signs of homophobia, a symptom of latent homosexuality, when he reacts intensely to Mr. Antolinis touching his head while he is sleeping. According to Bieber, fear of homosexuality (257) is a large symptom in closeted homosexuality; latent homosexuals distort homosexuality as unacceptable to convince themselves out of their natural desires. Holdens discovery of Mr. Antolini sitting on the floor right next to the couchpetting [him] or patting [him] on the goddam head induces fear in Holden, indicated w hen he exclaims

Winssinger 4 that it really scared hell out of [him] (Salinger 249). The fear that prevails upon Holden when he is exposed to same-sex intimacy divulges Holdens possible suppression of his sexual desires. Holdens homophobia is supplementarily confirmed when Holden describes that he was shaking like a madman.sweating, too, (Salinger 251). Furthermore, Holden modestly exposes his background of possible sexual abuse when he explains that When something perverty like that happens, I start sweating like a bastard. That kind of stuffs happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid. I cant stand it, (Salinger 251). Bieber refers to early childhood experience in which he was erotically aroused by a male (258) as a factor in identifying latent homosexuality, exposing to males the possibility of same-sex desires at a young age. Holdens signs of homophobia further evidences suppressed emotions of homosexuality. The Catcher in the Rye can be seen as a gay rights novel in the perspective of Holdens finding himself sexually. Salingers novel inspires ideas of nonconformity and the value of being different, believing only in what is right in an individuals personal opinion. Holden serves as a hero to not only the LGBT community, but also any of those who feel divergent or nonconforming to the societal norm, beneficial as a symbol of identity and finding oneself, especially during a time of its inacceptance.

Winssinger 5 Works Cited Aubry, Timothy. The Catcher in the Rye: The Voice of Alienation. History Now: American History Online 16 (2008). Web. 15 Sept. 2013. Bieber, Irving. Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study. New York: Jason Aronson, 1988. Google Books. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1951. Print.

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