阈限理论视域下《麦田里的守望者》的解读

An Interpretation of The Catcher in the Rye from the Perspective of Liminality Theory

摘要: 杰罗姆·大卫·塞林格在《麦田里的守望者》中塑造的主人公霍尔顿·考尔菲德，以其深陷于童年纯真与成人虚伪之间的生存困境，成为成长小说中一个典型的阈限者。本研究运用阈限理论，通过剖析其身份定位、心理世界及社会归属三重维度的持续悬置状态，揭示青少年在社会化进程中所面临的深层次价值冲突与自我认同危机。霍尔顿的成长旅程始终处于“分离–阈限–聚合”仪式的中间阶段，其“非此非彼”的阈限特性，具体表现为身份上的流浪者、情感中的守望者及社会规范的疏离者。这种未完成的通过仪式深刻呈现了个体在捍卫本真性与寻求社会融合之间的艰难博弈。本研究旨在突破传统成长小说的解读范式，从阈限理论视角重新审视霍尔顿的成长困境，为理解青春期的精神漂泊提供了新的理论阐释，并对当代液态社会中的青少年身份建构困境具有重要的参照意义。

Abstract: Holden Caulfield, the protagonist crafted by J. D. Salinger in The Catcher in the Rye, embodies a quintessential liminal figure in Bildungsroman. Trapped between the innocence of childhood and the hypocrisy of adulthood, Holden navigates an existential predicament that defines his journey. This research employs liminality theory to analyze the following three dimensions: persistent suspension of his identity positioning, psychological world, and social belonging, revealing the profound value conflicts and identity crises adolescents face during socialization. Holden’s journey remains perpetually suspended in the middle phase of the “separation-liminality-aggregation” rite of passage. His liminal condition manifests as an identity-wandering outsider, an emotionally watchful observer, and a socially alienated deviant. This unfinished rite profoundly illustrates the arduous struggle between defending authenticity and seeking social integration. This study aims to transcend traditional interpretive frameworks for Bildungsroman. Reexamining Holden’s developmental predicament through the lens of liminality theory offers new theoretical insights into adolescent spiritual drift. Furthermore, it provides significant reference points for understanding the identity-building challenges faced by youth in contemporary liquid societies.