Though J.D. Salinger’s book, The Catcher in the Rye, has served as a major controversial element of fiction within our reading society, it does, in fact, contain another side to the story. Holden Caulfield, who is sixteen, has just flunked out of another boarding school that his parents have sent him to. It seems that he has become very experienced in failing courses. The only classes that he manages to pass are the ones that repeat the same teaching material that he has previously learned in another school.

During our experience with Holden at Pencey, which is the boarding school he currently resides at, we learn of his great negativity that he has against most of the members of this institution. Holden can find something that just seems to annoy him in every situation that he encounters and in every place that

he may be. One of the most used words within the story is "Phony." Holden often seems to describe most others as being "Phony." The words they say, the ways they act, and their personalities towards others often appear to him as being "Phony." During almost every scene that takes place within the story, the reader will encounter, numerously, Holden’s dislike for the surroundings and the people. This is what makes up the negative aura that surrounds the book.

The reader never really learns of the experiences that Holden has after he returns home. The only thing that the reader does know is that he enjoys his home and his family. While appearing to contain the slightest amount of dislikes, we still see that Holden can find happiness within his family. The last few pages really express the theme very well. Holden begins to realize that there is more in life than just downs.

Some common words found in the essay are:
York City, Holden Caulfield, Phony Holden, Holden Pencey, Catcher Rye, Maybe Holden, boarding school, JD Salinger’s, catcher rye, holden caulfield,
Approximate Word count = 594
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)