All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid she'd fall off the goddam horse, but I didn't say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them. -- Catcher in the Rye
How could any red blooded American boy who has been through the public high school system not include a bit about J.D. Salinger? Salinger is of course most famous for his novel
The Catcher in the Rye; which is the tale of a young student who gives up on school, and his travels back to his family. I first read this book at what could be considered a young age; around thirteen, and I remember being proud that I had read it, but not really knowing too much about what it was about. I guess I probably thought I did, but it wasn't until I read it again that its true power got to me. When I read it the second time I was totally flabbergasted by how little I understood the first go round. There was one passage in particular that I really "got", that is quoted in the beginning of this post. I took it to mean that Holden, as a young man, was understanding that with children you have to let them learn by themselves. They might do dumb things, and they might get hurt, but you have to let them be their selves and at least try new things. I don't really remember, but that seemed like the climax of the book for me. It seems like a good philosophy.
Salinger is also famous for his reclusive lifestyle. After gaining so much notoriety, he totally disappeared from public life. I always pictured him living up in the hills somewhere on some dusty country road, but I don't know if that was the case. But it makes for a good story anyway....