SummaryCatcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger is a coming to age novel that follows a young boy named Holden Caulfield. The novel begins at Pencey Prep which is the school that Holden is attending, however he is expelled from the school due to his academic efforts. This sparks a crisis within Holden and motivates him to find his true self. He sets out to visit the great city of New York, this is done ultimately to avoid the reality that he has submitted himself into.
It is the city that he expands on his own self knowledge and finds the courage to return back into the life that he momentarily abandoned. It is after his return from the city and the experience he had within it that he can truly reflect on himself and the ill advised choices he has made. This novel highlights the loss of innocence that occurs with adolescents. As it is in this struggle transitioning into adulthood, that all individuals have to obtain maturity and self-sufficiency to survive in a world full of adversity. |
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Major themes
Phoniness
The young 16 year old boy is constantly monitoring the world through his filtered opinions. It is in these speculation that he references the world as “phony”, for he finds that people all too often prioritize unnecessary requirements. He visualizes this phoniness in masses within adulthood, and believes these adults are superficial so much so that they can’t even recognize their own insincerity and flaws. Alienation As this novel develops, one can easily distinguish that Holden does not fit in within any social categories. The implication of a secluded character helps relate to the audience as at one point in our lives we have experienced the hollow feeling of isolation. Fighting against humans instinct to connect with others, is shown through Holden to advance on the misconception that it leads to a happy life. Surrounding oneself with individuals does not result in contentment, it is only when the person being surrounded can achieve happiness independently that others can help. |
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favorite quote“Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody”(pg 126).
As an isolated individual, Holden often finds himself without the company of others. It is through this independent approach through life that he has acquired a particular character and or personality. It is one in which does not advance towards the common attractions in society such as sports, gatherings, and relationships. This is motivated by the negative outcomes that all too often are created from those subjects of interest. This is significant for it surfaces how often people willingly place their trust within strangers and communicate with those who are not trustworthy. It has become so ordinary to the mass majority that it goes unnoticed to the everyday eye, however when analyzing it from a different point of view it easily inferred why it is important to maintain some individualism.
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