Re: Chapman, Lennon, and Caulfield: Mimetic Theory in Real Life -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 10:20:52 01/25/08 Fri
Author: CS Holden
Subject: Re: Chapman, Lennon, and Caulfield: Mimetic Theory in Real Life
In reply to: Janelle 's message, "Chapman, Lennon, and Caulfield: Mimetic Theory in Real Life" on 15:00:40 01/24/08 Thu

Nice analysis of the Lennon-"Catcher" issue. That sort of behavior also extends into so-called "copycat criminals," a la recent school shootings and such. (Stephen King once published a book called "Rage," in which a teenager holds his classroom hostage at gunpoint," under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, because he feared receiving flack for writing a story that kids would potentially imitate.)

But within the novel "Catcher" itself, I wonder how much of Holden's behavior is mimetic. I've often thought he was kind of the American teen equivalent of the Underground Man. He detests his peers and yet he's constantly reaching towards them, then recoiling or being shoved away as he nears his models. I think of the episode with the prostitute, in particular--Holden always notices girls and evaluates them, and yet when he's plugged into the scenario with the girl, who keeps urging him, "Let's go, hey," he finds he's disgusted with himself.

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