Catcher In The Rye
Reflection in The Catcher in the Rye
In 1981, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was simultaneously the most frequently censored novel and the second-most frequently taught novel in American high schools (Andrychuk 6). The main protagonist of the novel is Holden Caulfield, a 16-year old boy who smokes like a chimney, swears like a sailor, and drinks to deal with his angst. He is also the narrator of his own story, telling the tale of the 48 hours he spent in New York City after getting expelled from his fourth prep school. He rented a seedy hotel room, saw a show with his girlfriend, got dangerously drunk in multiple bars, had an interesting encounter with an old teacher, and contemplated the intricacies of growing up in the 1940s. The most important part- he’s telling it all from one year after it happened. This awareness of the outcome of his story changes the way Holden narrates.
One notable instance of this occurs in Holden’s …show more content…
He omits facts and makes excuses for his past actions because they embarrass him. Perhaps this is another reason why many people find The Catcher in the Rye relatable. Most readers have never experienced any of the things that Holden went through over the course of the novel and yet, since it was first published, it has been known to many “as an essential rite of passage, almost as important as getting your learner’s permit” (McGrath A1). Often, the theme of occasional 2nd person narration is credited with the novel’s relatability. While Holden narrates the novel in 1st person, there are many instances when he speaks directly to the reader: “You should’ve heard the crowd, though, when he was finished. You would’ve puked” (Salinger 84). However, it is also very easy to relate to people who are reflecting upon their pasts. To be proud is a universal human experience, and as such everyone can understand the urge to salvage one’s pride when recalling embarrassing
In 1981, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was simultaneously the most frequently censored novel and the second-most frequently taught novel in American high schools (Andrychuk 6). The main protagonist of the novel is Holden Caulfield, a 16-year old boy who smokes like a chimney, swears like a sailor, and drinks to deal with his angst. He is also the narrator of his own story, telling the tale of the 48 hours he spent in New York City after getting expelled from his fourth prep school. He rented a seedy hotel room, saw a show with his girlfriend, got dangerously drunk in multiple bars, had an interesting encounter with an old teacher, and contemplated the intricacies of growing up in the 1940s. The most important part- he’s telling it all from one year after it happened. This awareness of the outcome of his story changes the way Holden narrates.
One notable instance of this occurs in Holden’s …show more content…
He omits facts and makes excuses for his past actions because they embarrass him. Perhaps this is another reason why many people find The Catcher in the Rye relatable. Most readers have never experienced any of the things that Holden went through over the course of the novel and yet, since it was first published, it has been known to many “as an essential rite of passage, almost as important as getting your learner’s permit” (McGrath A1). Often, the theme of occasional 2nd person narration is credited with the novel’s relatability. While Holden narrates the novel in 1st person, there are many instances when he speaks directly to the reader: “You should’ve heard the crowd, though, when he was finished. You would’ve puked” (Salinger 84). However, it is also very easy to relate to people who are reflecting upon their pasts. To be proud is a universal human experience, and as such everyone can understand the urge to salvage one’s pride when recalling embarrassing