JD salingers book, "Catcher in the rye" captures a few days in the life of Holden Caulfield.
Holden's journey of self descovery begins when he is kicked out of Pencey College.
Holden's feelings, the people he encounters and often his concerns are revealed to the reader through his thoughts.
He adresses the reader as "you" and often repeats what he says, as if he is talking to you.
It is an autobiography with a mix of comedy, satire, drama and adventure. Salinger begins with telling the reader that it is not going to be a typical autobiography.
Holden is kicked out of Pencey a week before the end of school, a letter is sent to his parents - but he leaves earlier and spends three nights hanging around New York city.
The book is set in the 1950s, around Christmas time when it is winter in America.
Before Holden sneaks out of Pencey we are introduced to his classmates Stradlater and Ackley. Holden describes them using his favourite word.
PHONY.
From this and other criticism of upper class American society we can clearly see the authors attitudes to people.
The novel is a series of anecdotes both from his past and present. Holden gets beaten up twice, goes on dates, stays up till early morning and sleeps in trashy hotels. .
The novel is a description of a developing nervous breakdown - unexplained depression, impulsive spending and generally odd behaviour.
The main themes of the book revolve around the troubles of adolesence. Not knowing what to do with life. Sexuality, drinking, socialsing - living up to your parents expectations.
The theme of social class divisions in the 50's is also evident. .
Holden is a sarcastic, nasty and at the same time completely likeable kind of guy. He doesn't care about his future. He often lies because he wants people to feel good about him.
He is every teenager caught between the petty games of high school and the fear of adulthood.
His attitudes and quick emotions are captured in the following passage on Page 115.
So what is Catcher in the Rye really about??? ... So what is The Catcher in the Rye actually about? ... "The Catcher in the Rye" is a story of an emotionally disturbed young sixteen year old boy named Holden Caulfield. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. ... John Hinkley may have been trying to impress Jody Foster, but he was also a big Catcher in the Rye fan. ...
Catcher in the Rye The American Dream for family will greatly vary between people, as it should. ... In the Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
In the novel Catcher in the Rye Holden is a character that has many idealistic thoughts. ... Holden tells Phoebe about a dream of wanting to be the catcher in the rye. ... Holden had to let go of his ideal about being the catcher in the rye because it was not realistic. ...
The Catcher In The Rye J.D. Salinger The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. ... The Catcher In The Rye was a somewhat ironic title, occurring twice throughout the book. ... Haden replies that he wants to be the "catcher" in the rye. ... Once you have read The Catcher In The Rye we are reminded of the innocence of youth. ...
Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is frequently being banned from high schools. ... Although it does contain invective speech and sexual connotations, The Catcher in the Rye by J. ... It may be obvious why so many high schools are banning Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. ... Another cardinal notion for teenagers who are entering adulthood is the central theme of The Catcher in the Rye, the loss of innocence. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. (173) When Holden divulges that he wishes to be the catcher in the rye, he is unveiling his desire to protect childhood...
"The Catcher in the Rye" Reflection The title "The Catcher in the Rye" is to symbolize how Holden wants to protect the innocence of little kids. In the novel he told Phoebe that he wants to be the catcher in the rye, he would stand at the edge of a cliff as children play around with him, and he would catch them before they ran too close to the cliff. ... Salinger called the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" because it signifies how even though Holden is the way he is; he still has the innocence of a little child inside of him. ...
The Catcher in the Rye has been called one of the greatest pieces of American literature throughout the 1950's. ... I have to say that there is a possibility that The Catcher in the Rye is a bad influence on young children. ... The book The Catcher in the Rye exemplifies how difficult it can be for some teens' life. ... On the other hand, the book The Catcher in the Rye really does not go far from the boundary. ... The Catcher in the Rye is a classic book that has been read in high schools all across the world. ...
