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The Catcher in the Rye


"Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway- (122). This remark was not told through dialogue or interaction with another character, but was instead an inner thought that could not have been stated had the novel been told from a different point of view. Therefore, because the reader is able to enter Holden's mind and encounter his innermost thoughts, the many themes of Salinger's work are better presented. Themes are not simply presented through the basic structure of the novel, but through characteristics of Holden as well. .
             The circumstances of the life of the narrator also present several themes, thus making this element Salinger's literary focus. Due to his poor academic record, Holden is expelled from a number of schools as is evident from his remark to Spencer, his history teacher. "This is about the fourth school I've gone to- (9). His life is characterized by compulsive lying, failure, and depression possibly caused by the death of Allie, his younger brother, after which Holden's parents were going to have him "psychoanalyzed and all because I broke all the window in the garage- (39). He undoubtedly leads a difficult life, and as a result of the many obstacles he faces and attempts to overcome them, the theme that isolation and seclusion can be forms of self-preservation is portrayed. Holden alienates himself from others and thus, he has convinced himself that he is far above them. "If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it's [life] a game, all right - I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it?- (8). He admits his separation in the preceding statement where he explains his choice to be on the "other side- of things where he feels he better belongs.


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