MindMap Gallery The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye is romantic, fiction-based novel. J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye The story follows 16-year-old Holden Caulfield after he is dismissed from prep school for two days. Holden, befuddled and disillusioned, searches for the truth and protests against the adult world's "phoniness." Holden Caulfield recalls his days after being expelled from Pencey Prep, a prestigious private school. Holden leaves school two days early after a fight with his roommate, Stradlater, to see New York before returning home, encountering teachers, prostitutes, nuns, an old girlfriend, and his sister along the way. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, depicts a teen's dramatic fight with mortality and maturation. The next morning, Holden, becoming increasingly depressed and in need of personal connection, calls Sally Hayes, a familiar date. Although Holden claims that she is "the queen of all phonies," they agree to meet that in afternoon to attend a play at the Biltmore-Theater. Holden shops for a special record, "Little Shirley Beans", for his 10-year-old sister Phoebe. He spots a small boy singing "If a body catch a body coming through the rye", which lifts his mood. After the play, Holden and Sally go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, where Holden suddenly begins ranting against society and frightens Sally.

Edited at 2022-08-22 09:58:49

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The Catcher in the Rye

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Outline

The Catcher in the Rye

overview

Set in the 1940s, the coming-of-age story deals with confusion, loneliness, alienation, depression, and sexuality—all seen through the eyes of a cynical teenager. Holden Caulfield is an iconic character who represents the transition between childhood and adulthood as he struggles to make sense of the world.

Themes

Sex

Holden's conflicting views of sex and his treatment of women leave him feeling alienated and alone.

Alienation and Identity

Holden's loneliness parallels the alienation many teenagers face Ias they search for identity and belonging.

Childhood

Holden considers adults flawed and fake, but young children as pure and innocent.

Phoniness

Holden uses the term to describe the hypocritical nature of adults.

Main Characters

Phoebe Caulfield

Holden's little sister; the only person he trusts

Allie Caulfield

Holden's little brother; died of leukemia

Sally Hayes

Attractive girl; dates Holden off and on

Holden Caulfield

16-year-old narrator; distrusts the adult world

Mr. Antolini

Holden's teacher; warmly offers to help Holden

Jane Gallagher

Holden's neighbor; becomes jealous over her

Symbols

Red Hunting Hat

Holden's cap symbolizes his alienation.

Museum of Natural History

The unchanging displays represent the world Holden wishes for.

Ducks

Holden's obsession with where ducks in Central Park go in the winter symbolizes his anxiety about impermanence.

"The catcher in the rye"

The phrase sums up Holden's desire to protect innocence.

Numbering

1941

First time the character Holden Caulfield appears in one of Salinger's stories, 10 years before The Catcher in the Rye is released

65M

Estimated number of copies sold worldwide

Number of other novels Salinger published

Author

J.D. SALINGER 1919-2010

J.D. Salinger wrote short stories before serving in World War II. Salinger spent the next decade writing his only novel, The Catcher in the Rye, which was an instant success despite its controversy. Uncomfortable with media attention brought on by the book's success, Salinger became a recluse.