The Carousel

B. Wahlgren
It starts out encompassing our lives. This incorporates joy into our lives. It induces longing into those who have lost it, for it is with us for the briefest of periods. Youth can be the driving force behind people, but it can also sadden people with the prospect of losing something so relevant. One must not live in the past, humanity must embrace the present and future.

Holden Caulfield can see his childhood flashing before his eyes as he stares wistfully at his sister as she enjoys a carousel as well as the joyful subtleties of youth. Holden misses the days where he can roam his neighborhood without a care, and the world was his to enjoy and explore. Now Holden strives to rekindle those experiences and incorporate them into his every day life. The problem is Holden is going against the nature of growing up. An individual is supposed to gain knowledge as is body matures and his thoughts become more rational. Holden strives to go against nature’s way and continue to live in ignorance. This is why he can’t adapt to new schools, his grades fail, and he slowly turns insane. Children are bewildered when they are introduced to new situations, or when they meet new people. For this reason Holden is reluctant to show affection with the other gender even though his mind tells him.

Humanity strives to achieve youth, and force it to surround their lives, but attempting to return to youth when one is past is a futile cause, yet millions find themselves caught up in the relentless search to locate it. One must not reside in the past, but embrace the present and future, for even old age can bring the best experiences.