The Catcher in the Rye

A detailed Summary of The Catcher in the Rye


The novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is about a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield he narrates the novel from a psychiatric facility were he is recuperating from a emotional breakdown. Holden is kicked out of his current school Pencey Prep including many others that he was kicked out of because of his poor conduct and bad grades. Holden feels out of place in any environment in which he is placed he says to Mr. Spencer his old teacher, he feels trapped "on the other side " of life and he continually attempts to find his way in a world in which he feel he doesn't belong. Holden's individuality separates him from his classmates and everyone around him. He describes every one as a "phonie" except for him self and children. At some points in the book Holden maintains his individuality but yet in other situations he is afraid to show his real self because of what society will think about him.

One situation where Holden shows his individuality


Holden mentions several times throughout the novel how every one is "phonie". He thought of them as if they ere trying to show off. He didn't like it when they showed off because it seemed so fake and unnatural every time they would do so. He especially thought adults were the most phonie. I think this is why he doesn't want children to grow up, so they won't become phonies. He claims not to be "phonie" if this is so, then why does he lie? Trough his lying and deception Holden proves that he is just as quality of phoniness as the people he criticizes. With his lies he hides him self form others not wanting to show his true self.

Over all I thought that for Holden it Was very hard to maintain his individuality because when he was by him self or around people he didn't know he came out of his shell. When he was around people he knew he acted like some one who he was not, afraid to show his individuality. His life is a great example for many teen

Some common words found in the essay are:
Pencey Prep, Holden I'm, Holden Caulfield, JD Salinger, individuality self, , people holden, wearing hat,

Approximate Word count = 648
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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