The Catcher in the Rye Quotes

1. “If a body meet a body comin’ through the rye.”

(Chapter 16)

This is a song Holden hears a boy singing when he is walking around Broadway. Later, Holden has an epiphanic moment when he sings this in front of Phoebe; he realizes that he wants to be a catcher in the rye, and he envisions his task as one that involves the preservation of children’s innocence. As the catcher, he imagines himself positioned at the precipice, ready to “catch” children who fall off the cliff. The song finally lends purpose to Holden’s life, albeit in a vague way.

2. “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.”

(Mr. Antolini) (Chapter 24 )

This is the quote Holden’s former teacher, Mr. Antolini, copies onto a paper to give to Holden. He notices that Holden is finding it difficult to cope with his angst. Though he means well, he offends Holden when he says he is not the first youth to deal with this disillusionment. Mr. Antolini then tells Holden that it is better to push through life despite its struggles than to sacrifice oneself for a noble cause. The original quote is by Wilhelm Stekel, a psychoanalyst.

3. “Allie, don’t let me disappear!”

(Holden) (Chapter 25)

Toward the end of the novel, we witness Holden frantically walking through the streets and is extremely anxious while crossing the roads. When he steps off the curb, he feels he won’t reach the other side. It is during this moment of anguish that he calls out to his deceased younger brother, Allie. Holden had loved his younger brother dearly, and throughout the novel he talks to Allie, who he regards as a confidant.