Catcher in the Rye: Holden
Holden search for himself is basically the journey that he embarks on in THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger. he goes from his rich boy, preppy, private school, to a sleazy motel, to the streets of New York. It seems to Holden in the beginning of the story that the whole world is nothing more than a bunch of phonies, and all he really wants whether he realizes it or not is to find his place in the world where he can be content. Through his journeys we see what its like for him in the places that he goes, and if there is a place for him that he belongs in. The first place that Holden tells us about in the story is Pencey Prep. in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. It is by reputation, and by academic standards a very good school, and through out the story any time Holden mentions to someone where he goes to school they say "that's an excellent school". In going to the school, Holden comes far from finding himself, for everywhere he turns he sees another person that continues to convince him that the world is filled with nothing but phonies, who he either finds as depressing, annoying, or to be a complete jerk. One good example would be his roommate at Pencey, Ward Stradlater. Stradla
ter was a classic example of a stupid, jock, would never has to do anything in life, but always gets by just fine. This guy pretends to care about girls, like the girl Holden likes Jane Gallagher, but all he really wants to do is "give her the time" as he says. This really upsets Holden because he really likes her for who she is, and he is just some moron phony. He also at Pencey realizes that he doesn't belong at the school because everywhere he goes he is always looking down on everyone, and can't picture himself being with them partaking in their endeavors, like at the football game. So after he can't stand the school anymore he is kicked out for failing, and leaves to find himself, although he has no idea where he is headed. Once Holden gets to Grand Central Station he goes to gets something to eat and he meets two very nice nuns who he talks to for a while, which is interesting because people he talks to he finds them to phony one way or the other, but not the nuns which is rare. After that goes on a date with Sally Hayes. After they go to a play, and go ice skating, they get to talking and end up fighting. In the end it isn't such a good date. Holden Also while out and about goes to the museum, to his house to talk with his sister phoebe, and then to his old English teacher Mr. Antolini's house to spend the night. Wh
Some common words found in the essay are:
Sally Hayes, Pencey Holden, Agerstown Pennsylvania, Jane Gallagher, Central Station, York Holden, Stradlater Stradlater, JD Salinger, BELONGS Holden, holden belongs, Hotel York, holden likes, grand central, belongs holden, grand central station, central station,
Approximate Word count = 910
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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