In this work, there are many voices: children’s voices, adult voices, underground voices—but Holden’s is the most eloquent of them all. He lets forth a finely articulated yell of mixed sorrow and joy, transcending his own language while being delightfully faithful to it. However, he keeps much of the suffering to himself, as do most lovers, clowns, and poets of the higher levels. He gives or sets aside his pleasure with all his heart. It is there for the reader to keep if he or she is capable of handling it.
