Ashley Gamell
Catcher in the Rye Final Project
Mix Tape Explanation
Holden Caulfield is a fictional character who embodies, represents, and has deep connections to the lost souls of our society. Many like him can be easily found in the teen community all throughout the 20th century. In fact, the modern image and stereotype of the teenage boy has a lot in common with Holden's negativity, feelings of loneliness, and separation from a seemingly fake and alien adult world. Despite these obvious parallels, after more careful thought I find that Holden can be more meaningfully related to the flower children of America during the 60s and 70s. Their deep appreciation for poetry and beauty, along with their alarming mix of innocence and wild behavior set in destructive and negative surroundings captures the core of Holden's being. I intended to, in my mix tape, put into music Holden's situation, dreams, character, even his wild whims and beliefs. I illustrated Holden with music from around the flower child era.
Setting off on an adventure by himself in the City, constantly getting into unlikely situations, and frequently admitting the madness of his actions, Holden is revealed in Paul McCarteney's "Flaming Pie". Here, the singer describes the insanity of his jumbled existence. The man on the flaming pie has no plans for his spontaneous actions and no real concern for their realities and consequences. The lyric "took my brains out and stretched'em on a rack, and I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get'em back.," accompanied by an ecstatic electric guitar part provides a soundtrack to Holden's wild journey.
"Over the Hills and Far Away," by Led Zeppelin expresses Holden's dream of escape that he dares to share with Sally. A dream like Holden's is echoed by the youth of this time period, longing for peace and freedom.
Nirvana's "Smells like Teen Sprit" as well as Sublime's "We're Only Gonna Die for Our Arrogance" and The Who's "My Generation" all describe Holden's feelings towards his generation and society. They reflect the phony, deranged society Holden sees surrounding him, and the effect it has on him. Holden's conflict with his surroundings force him into a stereotype waiting to be "entertained" and, like the character in Sublime's song, the man who has "killed himself with his own mind," and the tortures of the rebellious conflict with his "generation."
Janis Joplin's "Down on Me" and John Lennon's "Give Me Some Truth" both reflect Holden's endless search for acceptance. Just as Joplin felt she was looked down upon, misunderstood, and rejected by society, Holden struggles to find his place among friends, relatives, his present and future. Aching for some honesty, connection, and comfort from those around him, Holden mirrors Lennon's search for integrity in a world of phonies.
Nirvana's "Something in the Way" and Jimi Hendrix's "My Friend" give a voice to Holden's depression and loneliness. Holden in utter despair and feeling lost and removed from the happiness of innocent childhood, devastated by Allie's death, perhaps would sound like Nirvana's sad chords and dismembered lyrics. Jimi Hendrix, resorting toa drunken night at a bar, much like Holden, sings about the phenomenon of being completely alone, his only friend.
Bob Dylan, in his timeless song "Like a Rolling Stone," expressed a view on a character much like Holden. Lost, tricked, without direction or plans for the future, Holden wanders New York City, just like the sorry, confused fellow addressed in this song:
LIKE A ROLLING STONE (Words and Music by Bob Dylan) 1965 Warner Bros. Inc Renewed 1993 Special Rider Music Once upon a time you dressed so fine You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you? People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall" You thought they were all kiddin' you You used to laugh about Everybody that was hangin' out Now you don't talk so loud Now you don't seem so proud About having to be scrounging for your next meal. How does it feel How does it feel To be without a home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely But you know you only used to get juiced in it And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it You said you'd never compromise With the mystery tramp, but now you realize He's not selling any alibis As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes And ask him do you want to make a deal? How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns When they all come down and did tricks for you You never understood that it ain't no good You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat Ain't it hard when you discover that He really wasn't where it's at After he took from you everything he could steal. How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe You used to be so amused At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal. How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone?
Holden's clash with society, his intense depression and loneliness, and resulting wild spontaneity are depicted precisely by others in their music. The lost poets of the 60's and 70's provide a wealth of musical illustration to Catcher in the Rye. In Holden's struggle resounds the sad, crazy melody of souls throughout the ages. The power of a collection of many lonely people's cries may be enough to heal others lonesome wounds. Listening to the symphony of lost voices, one can conceive that perhaps, after all, one is not alone.