Lit Analysis of Catcher in the Rye

A detailed Summary of Lit Analysis of Catcher in the Rye


J.D. Salinger has written one of the greatest coming of age novels entitled Catcher

In the Rye. In the novel Holden Caulfield goes through many troubles that many

teenagers can relate to. In the beginning of the novel, Holden is irresponsible and

careless. Throughout the novel, he develops morals, responsibility, and love.

The main character in the beginning of the novel, Holden Caulfield, is an

irresponsible teenager. He is attending a private high school that he hates everything

about. The school is very uptight. Holden says "it's the type of damn school that cares

only about how good they look. So if you are failing it makes them look bad so they kick

you out"(CITR 11). Holden is failing out of school and he doesn't really care at all. He

is also a member of the fencing team for the school. The fencing team and Holden were

on the subway on the way to a game. When he got off of the subway, Holden had

forgotten to take the equipment with him. Everyone on the team was mad at him, but he

just thought it was funny. He has known that he is failing out of school but has not told

his parents yet. He knows that his parents will over react. So he does not want to tell


would not have been so upset about kids knowing the meaning of the word "fuck".

Holden does not want to be, he is still jealous of him. When Stradler goes on a date with

liar I know" (CITR 16). Although he may lie, when he tells the truth he is very blunt.

Instead, Holden can be viewed as an existentialist hero. He is not a hero like in the other



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Approximate Word count = 1237
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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