THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

By J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye, covers a few important days in the life of the protagonist Holden Caulfield, a highly critical and depressed sixteen-year-old who academically flunked in 4 subjects out of 5 from the Pencey Prep boarding school.

While "recovering" in a sanitorium, Holden relates the events that occurred during three December days the previous year following his expulsion from the school. Within this part of the story, Holden frequently flashes back to experiences and people from earlier in his life.

Written in the first person, the narrator gives only 2 very subtle hints of him being in a sanitorium at the beginning and the end of the book. Although he is intelligent and sensitive, Holden narrates in a cynical voice. He finds the "phoniness" and ugliness of the world around him almost unbearable. And through means of alienation he tries to protect himself from the pain and disappointment of the adult world. Holden is also uncomfortable with his own weaknesses and at times he displays the same hypocrisy of the people he says he despises.

Another event which keeps reoccurring in the book is Holden's disdain for anything that takes away children's innocence. Like for instance, his favorite teacher, Mr. Antolini rubbing his head and when Holden tries to rub off some vulgar graffiti from the walls in his sister Phoebe's elementary school, a temple of learning and culture. Child exploitation is seen by Holden as another way how adults destroy childhood innocence. He admits being taken advantage of as a child by adults. Holden being a innocent (child) at heart, but trying hard to prove to everyone that he is an adult, takes it a bit too far.

One thing which was hard to digest was how much did he whine 'and all'. Its commendable how simply he described his frustration and insecurities.