The Catcher in the Rye

Book: The Catcher in the Rye

By: J.D Salinger

“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye 

The Catcher in the Rye was written by J.D Salinger and is one of the best known novels that signifies teen angst. It is a story of teenage angst that has been several times attempted to be put into film, but has an essence that can not be translated from paper.

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry."

- J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Ch. 24

Plot/Summary: It follows protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as he recalls getting kicked out of Pencey boarding school and prolongs going home so he can avoid punishment from his parents; how he goes through his savings to stay at a hotel, tries to blend in with adults at bars and clubs, and questions religion and young love.

Holden's character is extremely liberal and honest, constantly legitimizing his negative views of society and the idea that people are "phony". Despite Holden's negativity, his longing for honesty in society is expressed several times. Holden addresses a classmate's suicide due to bullying and points out that justice isn't fair in a matter of fact tone, but how Holden explains the classmates death, and the diva socialites he attempts to impress at the hotel bar where he's staying at reveals Holden's inner thoughts and his views of how most people are truly are "phony". He also reflects on his older brother, D.B's death, and how he'll never be able to live up to the standards his parents held his brother to.

Ultimately, Holden's close relationship with his younger sister Phoebe is what clarifies Holden's true character and reveals the loss of innocence and reclaiming it, and Holden's honest, but pessimistic views are softened by his wish of being the "catcher in the rye." The ending of the novel also reveals Holden's nostalgia and attachment to his experiences in a point where he regrets sharing such private thoughts, which ends the novel beautifully.

Review: I would have never glanced at The Catcher in the Rye if a close friend hadn't raved about how amazing it was in high school. After borrowing it, and about five pages in I was sure that it was going to be a terrible novel, but because I lack the ability to put a book down without finishing I continued to read it. I'm glad I didn't discard The Catcher in the Rye because it's one of the best novels I've honestly ever read. Holden's character is honest and realistic, and I felt like he was voicing a lot of my opinions and views that people are usually afraid to voice out loud, even in today's diverse society.

The topics that Holden addresses throughout the novel can easily be considered teenage experiences, but the way that Holden is accurately able to identify with people and how he thinks they are gives off a maturity and deep understanding of how society really works. I love how he uses the idea that a lot of things and people are "phony," and yet is able to admit when he himself is doing what he despises.

The liberalism Holden uses in views of religion and politics and how society and social cliques function is ahead of the era it was written in, and Holden's explicit language and conflicting belief with religion is what I love most about his character. He has a religious rant about Christ and how most "true Christians" are the phonies themselves that I found shockingly depressing, yet easy to relate to.  Holden's authentic voice is what has me constantly picking up the novel to read from random pages because it's so memorable that I can pick up from any page and know where I am in the novel.

 The way that society today tries to explain The Catcher in the Rye is usually as a phase of teen angst, or Holden having deep psychological issues due to its controversial and extreme views, but I think it's entirely the opposite. Although, Holden appears to be in an undisclosed location---such as a mental institute, I feel like it's because a "sane" character with Holden's views and opinions would be seen as an outrage for the period Salinger based it on. To me, Holden Caulfield is a person who sees society legitimately and honestly. Every person should try to read The Catcher in the Rye once, and it's for any age group, although teenagers might identify most.

Author's Writing Technique: 
Holden's character spoke from a subjective point of view that followed his exact thought process, such as staring at a piece of furniture or how he thought a simple suitcase said a lot about a person in a way that was soul baring and honest. Salinger mastered how to write lengthy, circular sentence structure without getting off topic. Holden's character is able to say anything and everything he wants in a way that isn't forced or filtered. An opinion on how Salinger gave Holden such an authentic voice is that he used his own opinions and used Holden as a means to express them.

Writer's Tip: Write freely in a journal about any given topic that you have a passion for from the perspective that you are telling it to someone, but answering all of the questions for them. Try circular writing by trying to connect different concepts to one general idea. Also try to use casual language and great detail in a natural tone that doesn't come off as forced or overly dramatized.