Book Report Catcher In The Rye

1239 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Character analysis where are you going

Book Report
` Catcher in the Rye is a novel written by J.D Salinger in 1951. The novel reflects some aspects of Salinger’s life as he goes through his issues and ordeals along with daily life. Not all scenarios in the novel relate to Salinger but there are some recognizable features which assist with concluding that the author is reflected in the story. The novel takes on a casual, informal tone which aroused readers of that time, claiming that his writing wasn’t “real literature.”
The Catcher in the Rye is set in time around the 1950’s with a main character by the name of Holden Caulfield. The story is from the perspective of the main character including his thoughts, ideas, feelings and point of view on events. The story opens with a ramble about how he doesn’t want to discuss the past and his deep nature (as in his birthplace and his parents). Following, he gives a description about his school, and from this, as the audience we can easily assume that Holden doesn’t necessarily like his school based off of the comments he made about it. He speaks of the school as it is so prissy and upscale. “…all you ever did at Pencey was play polo all the time.” Along with the comments he made about it being so high class, he also portrays the school as false advertising; with a motto of “"Since 1888 we have been molding boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men.", and comments like” Strictly for the birds. They don't do any damn more molding at Pencey than they do at any other school.” Explaining how the school conducts itself as any other institution would. This “prestigious” school in the first major setting which the story takes place. While at Pencey, Holden has failed four classes and has been kicked out but doesn’t have plans of ...

... middle of paper ...

...on top of an atomic bomb. Furthermore, Holden has more thoughts of death as he sits on the bench thinking he will catch pneumonia and die. Thinking this he starts to imagine his funeral, and then starts to think about his sibling’s funeral and how Holden missed it because he smashed the garage windows with his bare hands. Holden also shows multiple accountancies of not being able to decide on one thing, he often changes his mind from his original plan. After exposing his siblings’ death we can associate his siblings’ death to Holden’s depression and actions. Holden displays the following symptoms of clinical depression: Irritability, restlessness, loss of interest in activities or hobbies including sex, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, insomnia and thoughts of suicide.

Salinger, J. (1951). Catcher in the Rye. New York City: Little, Brown and Company.

Show More
Related

  • Holden Caulfield Betrayal

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a popular novel that was originally published in the 1950’s. In the book, Salinger explores various themes through the main character Holden and his interactions with others. Some of these themes include, alienation, loss and betrayal. Holden constantly feels betrayed throughout the novel by several people, including his roommate, teacher, and sister.

    Read More

  • How Does Holden Present Trauma In Catcher In The Rye

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    Due to J.D Salinger’s personal and relatable narrative treatment, Catcher in the Rye continues to engage audiences, even 64 years after it was first published. The way the book deals with alienation and disillusionment in regards to Holden’s past trauma - through the closeness of first person narration and conversational writing among other techniques - creates a personal connection to Holden’s character and helps adolescents relate his troubles to their own.

    Read More

  • Holden's Cry for Help in The Catcher in the Rye

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    Catcher in the Rye is a complicated book about a young man going through, what appears to be a nervous break down. This is a book about the boy’s negative self-talk, horrible outlook on life, and a life itself that seems to keep swirling down the toilet. He keeps trying to fill his life with something, but the reality of it is he doesn’t exactly now what he needs. It’s complicated to understand at parts, because all he does is think of things in the worst possible conditions.

    Read More

  • Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

    1148 Words  | 3 Pages

    Catcher in the Rye is one of the most famous books in American literature. Written by J. D. Salinger, it captures the epitome of adolescence through Salinger’s infamous anti-hero, Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield learns about himself and his negative tendencies, and realizes that if he does not do something to change his perspective, he may end up like his acquaintance James Castle whom he met at Elkton Hills. Holden tries to find help to mend his outlook on life through Mr. Antolini so he does not end up like James, who did not want to face the problems he created for himself. This is proven by the similarities between James Castle and Holden, Mr. Antolini’s willingness to try and help Holden, and Holden’s future being forecasted by James.

    Read More

  • Corruption Exposed in The Catcher in the Rye

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    All of these are components of J. D. Salinger’s writing style. While the tone of The Catcher in the Rye may suggest a lighthearted, entertainment centered novel, the work is, in actuality, a deep study of human emotion and sympathy, as well as a dark portrait of the wickedness in the world.

    Read More

  • Catcher in the Rye

    329 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is an enthralling and captivating novel about a boy and his struggle with life. The teenage boy ,Holden, is in turmoil with school, loneliness, and finding his place in the world. The author J.D. Salinger examines the many sides of behavior and moral dilemma of many characters throughout the novel. The author develops three distinct character types for Holden the confused and struggling teenage boy, Ackley, a peculiar boy without many friends, and Phoebe, a funny and kindhearted young girl.

    Read More

  • Disillusionment In The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    American Literature is widely known for possessing themes of disillusionment. Faulkner, Harper Lee, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway dominate this category of literature. However, the most influential piece of American Literature is arguably J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. What makes this piece of art stand so far out from any other work of literature is the attributes that make this novel so relatable. The source of this raw, real emotion that completely captivates the reader is Salinger himself. The Catcher in the Rye ‘s main character Holden Caulfield is undeniably Salinger. This work of fiction nearly resembles an autobiography. J.D. Salinger uses his novel to express his disillusionment through motifs, pathos, and symbols.

    Read More

  • Grief and Bereavement in The Catcher in the Rye

    2501 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye has been described, analyzed, rebuffed, and critiqued over the years.  Each writer expresses a different point of view:  It is a story reflecting teen-ager's talk--thoughts-emotions--actions; or angst.  I believe it is an adult's reflection of his own unresolved grief and bereavements.  That adult is the author, J.D. Salinger.  He uses his main character, Holden, as the voice to vent the psychological misery he will not expose -or admit to.

    Read More

  • Depression In The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger

    1200 Words  | 3 Pages

    Despite this belief, Holden most likely suffered from depression. Some symptoms that led Holden to be depressed were his mood, lack of sleep, and his suicidal thoughts. In the article “Depression in Teens” it says “symptoms of depression may include [.] thoughts of suicide, suicide attempt.” Although Holden never tries to kill himself, he does have some thoughts.

    Read More

  • The Catcher In the Rye Should Not be Banned

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since its publication in 1951, The Catcher In the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger has served as a conflagration for debate and extreme controversy. Although the novel has been the target of scornful criticism, it has also been the topic of wide discussion. The novel portrays the life of sixteen year old, Holden Caufield. Currently in psychiatric care, Holden recalls what happened to him last Christmas. At the beginning of his story, Holden is a student at Pencey Prep School. Having been expelled for failing four out of his five classes, Holden leaves school and spends 72-hours in New York City before returning home. There, Holden encounters new ideas, people, and experiences. Holden's psychological battle within himself serves as the tool that uncovers the coming-of-age novel's underlying themes of teen angst, depression, and the disingenuous nature of society. The novel tackles issues of blatant profanity, teenage sex, and other erratic behavior. Such issues have supplemented the controversial nature of the book and in turn, have sparked the question of whether or not this book should be banned. The novel, The Catcher In the Rye, should not be banned from inclusion in the literature courses taught at the high school level.

    Read More

  • American Minorities during World War II

    1439 Words  | 3 Pages

    Salinger, J. D.. The Catcher in the Rye. [1st ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 19511945. Print.

    Read More

  • Holden’s Sexual Confusion in The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

    1295 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a coming-of-age novel set in New York during the 1940’s. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of the story, is a detached seventeen-year old boy harboring feelings of isolation and disillusionment. He emphasizes a general dislike for society, referring to people as “phonies.” His lack of will to socialize prompts him to find nearly everything depressing. He’s alone most of the time and it’s apparent that he is very reclusive. This often leads him to pondering about his own death and other personal issues that plague him without immediate resolution. Holden possesses a strong deficit of affection – platonic and sexual – that hinders and cripples his views toward people, his attitude, and his ability to progressively solve his problems without inflicting pain on himself. The absence of significant figures in his life revert him to a childlike dependency and initiate his morbid fascination with sexuality. In this novel, Salinger uses Sunny, Sally Hayes, and Carl Luce to incorporate the hardships of discovering sexual identity and how these events affect adolescents as they try to understand their own sexuality.

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Mental Illness Essay

    476 Words  | 1 Pages

    Symptoms of depression that directly relate to Holden’s behaviour include: loss of appetite, depressed or irritable mood, failing relationships with family and friends, faltering school performance, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred and obsessive fears or worry about death. Holden lost his younger brother Allie to cancer when he was only thirteen years old. An event such as this can be traumatic to a young person and cause feelings of sadness and/or depression. Thoughts about suicide are another common symptom of depression. Holden expresses thoughts about committing suicide in Chapter 14 after Maurice assaults him: “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide.

    Read More

  • Holden's Pessimistic View of the World in The Catcher in the Rye

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lies, failure, depression, and loneliness are only some of the aspects that Holden Caulfield goes through in the novel The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger. Salinger reflects Holden’s character through his own childhood experiences. Salinger admitted in a 1953 interview that "My boyhood was very much the same as that of the boy in the book.… [I]t was a great relief telling people about it” (Wikipedia). Thus, the book is somewhat the life story of J.D. Salinger as a reckless seventeen-year-old who lives in New York City and goes through awful hardships after his expulsion and departure from an elite prep school. Holden, the protagonist in this novel, is created as a depressed, cynical, and isolated character and he expresses this attitude through his dialogue, tone, and diction.

    Read More

  • 1950's Culture Exposed in The Catcher in the Rye

    1360 Words  | 3 Pages

    J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is a remarkable book that gives readers a unique and perhaps gloomy perspective of the 1950's through Holden Caulfield, a cynical and peculiar teenager. Through The Catcher in the Rye Salinger describes important aspects of the 1950's. Salinger emphasizes several key characteristics of the 50's and criticizes them through Holden. In addition, Holden Caulfield is a very interesting character with several traits that put him at odds with society.

    Read More

More about Book Report Catcher In The Rye

Open Document