The Holden Caulfield in Jason Kidd?
Recently, the National Basketball
Association has given a two-game suspension to the Nets Coach Jason Kidd due to
a drunken-driving charge. In addition to the immediate consequences this
reckless behavior has resulted in, there may be further ominous long-term
effects.
After reading J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, I was captured
by the allusions to teenage desolation, isolation, individuality, and arrogance
that the novel exhibits through the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Throughout
the entire novel, Holden experiences a turbulent and depressing path in New
York City. And in the end, Holden ends up in a psychiatric ward.
The interesting similarities
between Holden Caulfield and Jason Kidd, however, are evident in both of their
behaviors. Like Jason Kidd, who was punished for driving under the influence,
Holden was expelled from his school due to his lack of academic drive and his
failing status. Although the events of Jason Kidd’s suspension have not played
out yet and will most likely not be as drastic in terms of psychological
outlook as Holden’s punishment, we can speculate similar events to occur to
Jason Kidd following this suspension. Will Kidd flee to other sanctuaries
during this suspension? Like Holden, will he continue his intractable
perspective on his faults? Like Holden, will Kidd seek the companionship of his
past acquaintances?
And in terms of comparing the two figures, is it not
reasonable for us to discern the same characteristics that both adolescent
Holden and adult Kidd exhibit? Following the events in which Kidd rammed his
SUV into a telephone pole while intoxicated, Kidd’s isolation from his peers
and mentors alike must certainly parallel the situation that Holden
experienced. Right?
Many readers and literary critics
often find that The Catcher in the Rye most relates to readers during their
teenage phase. I, however, believe otherwise. I think it would be beneficial
for Jason Kidd to read this novel even as an adult. I am sure that he, too,
will empathize with the isolation and cynical attitudes that Holden
demonstrated after being expelled from school. This novel might even remind
Kidd of his adolescence, prompting him to realize that his reckless behavior
has not changed severely from his youthful days.
Overall, I believe we can often
find ourselves within literature. We often find both negative and positive qualities
about ourselves; nonetheless, I believe that we all are able to relate to
certain aspects and figures in novels.
But please Jason: just don’t go
around calling everyone “phonies.” Everyone makes mistakes. Just remember, “You’re
aces, kid.”
Versus
I agree that we tend to relate ourselves to the literature that we read, but I think it is hasty to use one instance in Kidd's life to parallel a psychologically instable character in a contemporary classic novel. There may very well be underlying psychological problems with Kidd, or he may have made one bad decision, but we need more information to be sure.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the comparison between Kidd and Holden is that similar. I don't think this one instance for Kidd will be the defining moment that leads to more actions in the future for him, but it may very well be. Like you said, it would have to play out first.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your analytical insight into the two different figures. Although your judgement may have been a bit presumptuous to say that Kidd is similar to Caulfield, I do believe similiarities between the two exist. Traumatizing events such as Kidd's DUI and Holden's expulsion often to relate to negative externalities that many of us do not see. I think only time will tell.
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