The Catcher in the Rye

A detailed Summary of The Catcher in the Rye

Ever since the publication in 1951, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye has served as the firestorm for controversy and debate. This book is a graphic depiction of the human condition, making it enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The main character, Holden Caulfield, is one from many of Salinger's short stories that were periodicals. But in the novel, Holden is presented to the reader in first person narrative, which is critical in helping the reader to know and understand him. The theme in this book, like many of Salinger's work, is the passage of adolescence; (Lomazoff 1) but the theme can also be derived from the title of the book. Both internal and external conflicts plague the protagonist who, at the end, suffers a nervous breakdown: his giving into the phoniness of the world. This book is one that will stand the test of time, because the reader can relate to the idealism and realism of the main character (Lieder 2.)

The main criticism of this book has to deal with the adolescence and repetitive nature of Holden Caulfield. That in the course of this lengthy novel, the reader may go weary of a character like Holden. "Holden was not quite so sensitive and perceptive as he and his

The story could be compared to Mark Twain's The Adventure ofHuckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye could be described as an American Bildungsroman (Lomazoff 3): "a picaresque novel that illustrates the moral development and attitudes of its nonconformist protagonist" (Webster's Dictionary 35). Holden strikes you as an urban Huck Finn. Like Huck, Holden is neither comical nor a misanthrope. He is an observer. Unlike Huck, he makes judgements by the dozen, but the reader never takes them too seriously. They are more conceits than judgements. "Both are adolescents, runaways from society, seeking independence, growth and a stable life," (Lomazoff 4).

Brilliance is just the surface of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Once you have read the first page; you are inside Holden's mind, almost incapable of escaping from it as Holden himself (Caver 1). The portrait is complete and convincing, and it is polished and has depth. When we are honest, we can see ourselves, almost, in the unspoken forces operating within Holden Caulfied (Lomazoff 8). Because of that, I would recommend this novel as a fascinating and informative description of the human condition. However, for that reason, I believe that is not comfortable reading.

Lieder, Timothy. "So Where Do the Ducks Go In Winter?: Essay of The Catcher in the Rye." www.geocities.com/soho/gallery.html. 14 March 2001.

Holden, tells the story in a narrative flashback, during a sullen period of his life, three days and nights alone, in New York City. Holden Caulfied is a seventeen-year old schoolboy, who rebels against the doubtful values of the adult world. Holden is always analytical, hypersensitive, spontaneous and depressed in his narration (Lieder 8). "The authenticity of Holden's character is based on the idea that his voice was typical of a teenager, never childish or written down to that age-level, " (Engle 3

Some common words found in the essay are:
Holden Caulfield, Caulfield Salinger's, Unlike Huck, Catcher Rye, Holden Caulfied, Holden's Allie, Stradlatter Stradlatter, Honestly Holden, Holden Holden, York City, catcher rye, holden caulfield, march 2001, adult world, salinger's catcher, jd salinger's, salinger's catcher rye, jd salinger's catcher, lieder 8, human condition, 14 march 2001, main character, york city,

Approximate Word count = 1277
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science