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Question: Does the song "The Boxer" relate to the book The Catcher in the Rye!?
I am just a poor boy!.
Though my story's seldom told,
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocketful of mumbles,
Such are promises
All lies and jest
Still, a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest!.

When I left my home
And my family,
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station,
Running scared,
Laying low,
Seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go,
Looking for the places
Only they would know!.

CHORUS
Lie-la-lie!.!.!.!.!.

Asking only workman's wages
I come looking for a job,
But I get no offers!.
Just a come-on from the whores
On Seventh Avenue
I do declare,
There were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there!.

CHORUS

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New York City winters
Aren't bleeding me,
Leading me,
Going home!.

In the clearing stands a boxer,
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev'ry glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame,
"I am leaving, I am leaving!."
But the fighter still remains


Why do you think so!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Well, on the surface, there are many parallels: NY, lies, railway station, leaving home and family, whores, feeling lonesome, etc!. But this song is arguably about a poor immigrant seeking success and a new life in an unfamiliar city: definitely *not* Holden's situation!.

Therefore, underneath -- thematically, that is -- I question the connection!. Holden is not "just a poor boy," he's not a fighter, he's not looking for a job, he can't follow through with the one prostitute he engages, NY *is* his home (not a place to run from, as in this song), he doesn't seek out the poorer quarters, etc!.

Other songs have a greater connection to Catcher: look at The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" and, to a lesser degree, "Baba O'Reilly!." Even check out Trent Reznor's "Hurt!." (Those are the songs I use to teach Catcher!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com