Subjects:
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
From this and other criticism of upper class American society we can clearly see the authors
. . .
I sort of hated old Sally by the time we got in the cab, after listening to that phony Andover bastard for about ten hours.
This book is a journey for the reader aswell - because we go on comparing our opinions of similar people to Holden’s opinions –
Even though it was set in the 1950’s societie’s educational, parental, social and rebellious issues still exist today.
Catcher in the Rye is a clever book, written in an original way, with a lot of honesty behind the simple language.
The novel is a series of anecdotes both from his past and present.
It is a rite of passage – he is kicked out of school - forced to enter another stage of his life. I was all set to take her home and all – I really was – but she said
“ I have a marvelous idea!”
She was always having a marvelous idea.
The theme of social class divisions in the 50’s is also evident. Physical interactions with others is what started the domino effect – untill disappointment after disappointment Holden snapped.
His changing opinions that are always based on his situation at the time, are what make him the flexible character that I liked.
Is Holden the one who was going insane???
I think it was Western society that was so used to being told everything and everybody is ok…
They put him away because they could not handle Holden’s behavior just as he could not handle theirs.
Holden is a sarcastic, nasty and at the same time… completely likeable kind of guy.
The physical journey from Pencey and around New york is what shaped Holden’s state of mind – made him feel and act the way he did.
The novel is a description of a developing nervous breakdown – unexplained depression, impulsive spending and generally odd behaviour.
Essay's Topics
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