The Catcher in the Rye literary analysis

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a story about childhood, and of finding one’s self in society. It is the story of Holden Caulfield and his everyday encounters and problems with other people in society. The story depicts a week in the life of Holden, a week full of events and encounters that permanently change his life forever. In the Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger uses the character of Holden Caulfield, conflict, and setting to convey the theme that although the world may seem to be full of phonies or difficult and boring people, one must find a way to overlook his individuality and coexist in society.

The first literary technique J.D. Salinger utilizes is the character of Holden Caulfield. Although Holden can be analyzed from many different vantage points the most prevalent characteristic of Holden is his lack of maturity and his journey into adulthood. Holden is a very insecure teenager desperately trying to connect with someone. Because he is immature he has problems understanding the adult world and has difficulty relating to his peers. He feels very much alone and doesn't know how to create a connection because he is very idealistic and has no tolerance for people. He labels anyone whom he considers n

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Holden’s views and opinions are felt by many teenagers, but like Holden we all grow out of those ways of acting and slowly mature into adulthood. For example, when Holden spends a night in a hotel he encounters a prostitute and her pimp and he notices the sleaziness of the other people attending the hotel.

The second setting of the story takes place in downtown Manhattan. Holden firmly believes in these convictions but he gradually comes to the realization that he is powerless to change them. After meeting the prostitute, Holden first alarms the reader that he often thinks of suicide. Holden is surrounded by what he views as drunks, perverts, morons and screwballs. Holden also experiences the nightlife of New York while he was in Manhattan. At the end of the novel Holden takes his sister Phoebe to a carousel. In the center of the carousel, there was a gold ring. Holden at one point contemplates heading out west where he will pretend to be a deaf-mute and live a quiet life.

Holden portrays his new found maturity in one fianl way. Holden spends the majority of his time in his hometown. Antolini patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping Holden jumped up and ran out thinking that Mr. Holden constantly stereotypes people he meets into categories such as the ones listed above.

Approximate Word count = 1495
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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