Some Thoughts on The Catcher in the Rye
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2016
- How do I feel about Holden Caulfield? Why do I think this book is Young Adult? What do I think about the title? Here are some of my thoughts on The Catcher in the Rye!
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I like this book, I really do. I mean there's not much of a plot and all. That killed me.
boy, phoney as hell, like a madman
too goddam bad
Genius
what a crumby sonofabitch
Ariana Grande shut ya phony ass up
I read the entire book and I didn't even get to find out what happened. It deppressed the hell out of me, it really did.
Bwhan0307 hey holden
Bwhan0307 I hate those phony people. They're depressing.
Indeed you should have been depressed; not because you didn't get an ending, rather that you didn't understand why there was no need for one. I suspect you won't understand the previous sentence either.
Yeah this book makes you sort of depressed in some way like after you finish it you kinda just wanna think for a while and look at trees
Or maybe it's just me my house has a lot of trees and gets very breezy in the afternoon
The book is about a young man wanting to stop time, many say the end of the novel shows that those thoughts haven't changed, this can be a depressive ending to a story about someone that seems quite lost in life (Holden.)
However, some present the idea that he has come to terms with life going on, and that he found some sort of comfort or realisation.
One of the last scenes in the book features Holden and his little sister Phoebe, she is riding a carousel. She says she's too big for it but Holden convinces her that she is not, although he himself believes that he is too big for it. After this, Phoebe puts Holden's cap on his head which gives him confidence, Phoebe empathises with Holden, and this is possibly the only time in the book that there is empathy for Holden from another character (literally though, no one listens to him ever apart from maybe that weird creeper.) The fact Holden hides the red cap to not look suspicious and his sister puts it on his head could mean many things, but the endpoint for me is that he is finally being listened to and empathised with for the first time by someone without malicious intent, and we also hear him.
We have to remember that the person who is telling us everything is 17 year old Holden, about 16 year old Holden, I like to think about it as a story your friend is telling you, maybe a bit confusing and out of place but... it's because they want to be listened to. At least for me, this is what it is.
I fucking love old holden, not gonna lie. I had a helluva time reading about him. Christ he kills me. Old holden kills me.
yes he kills me too. He really does
Wanted to read this book, I really did, but I just didn't feel like it. You really have to feel like it to do stuff like that
Don't read it, it is bullshit
@@efrainpiracon9843 lol they sound like they did read it already
You have to be in the mood for that kind of things
@@fitterhappier2666 I really wanted to comment exactly what you dud. I really did. It depresses the hell out of me
It was not worth my goddamn time.
reading this book, I really wanted to hug holden and have deep conversations with him. I feel like he feels so so alone all the time. He really wants to have a deep conection with someone, that´s way he asks deep and unconventional questions to stranges.
I totally agree. I felt such intense relief when Phoebe would just listen to him.
and I think most of his behaviors have to do with his mental illness. that scene when he is talking to his dead brother, that broke my heart
Joe Al Look at this guy acting like a real phony. It kills me.
Nothing but jerks and phonies in this comment section
vic valverde good afternoon
Where did the damn ducks go? does he mention in the book? That bothers me. It really does.
Haha I like that your comment was written like it could be in the book.
We get a lot in the winter, down here in Tennessee. My guess is that they go south, although I think he was thinking they went somewhere else in the city. (We have ducks that live in our most public city park, in the daytime, but fly over here, close to where I live, to a pond, in a college agricultural field, near the river, to spend the night. Come morning, and they fly back to the park. Security at night, and bread crumbs and duck society in the daytime. Not to trivialize the book, which I love.)
Kenneth Thomas stop swearing, it kills me
Remember when he answers his own questions by talking about the bird display on the museum, where all the birds were flying south
Stfu frr
The first time I read the book I really disliked Holden's character, thinking that he was just so arrogant and full of himself. Then in class when we looked closer at it, I began to feel sorry for him, seeing him as more of a tragic character. He wants to present himself to the world as an adult and as being better than everyone else, but in reality he is a child that is terrified of growing up, and wants to protect other children from losing their innocence, like he did.
pixelpi I find it interesting how people have this notion that Holden is full of himself when he constantly talks about how depressed he is and it's evident he feels as though he doesn't deserve many of the things he has. Every time somebody does something for him or gives him a gift it makes him feel depressed because he doesn't think he's worth anyone's effort.
Do people get that Holden's personality and narration are largely because he has major depression? He doesn't think he's superior at all I don't think, he's upset and trying to feel something and distract himself. The judgements aren't exactly what he thinks about the world I don't think, just from experiencing the death of his brother he feels so separated from everyone else and finds so many things meaningless and is frustrated that people are so preoccupied with their image and all these other things that Holden realizes are meaningless because we're all going to die eventually. He wants to save people in a way like you said, but not because he thinks he's an adult, but he doesn't want them to feel like he does now. When I read this, although there is all of that stuff you talked about, I could see through it with the hints at Holden being depressed. When he says he can't concentrate or feels like he's disappearing as he's walking down the street, that's exactly how it feels and was so relatable. People with depression might respond outwardly by acting meaner or nicer, but internally their thoughts might be about how they are frustrated and hate everything and everyone even if that's not necessarily true. So I think we get a warped perception of Holden's personality because we hear all these frustrated thoughts and some readers think he genuinely just hates everyone and thinks he's superior.
My one overriding impression of Holden was he's a lost soul. If anyone needed catching in the rye it was the narrator himself.
Yes, it's almost obvious depression. But because he is often sarcastic and witty in his dealings with people and the description of them...many naively take him as being cocky.
Excellent point
That’s honestly why I didn’t like him, I related to him a little bit too much and saw too much of myself in him
@@alicelemieux531 Same, reading this book was like looking at a mirror. Holden was so me and I was so him, it made me feel anguished.
The word depressed is in this book about 700 times
what about "Phony"
I know you didn't mean that literally but since my reading app has a search option, I counted how many times it was actually used and if anyone is curious, it was 31 times (50 if u add "depressing"..etc)
and phony was used 35 times haha (39 if u add "phonies")
@@haloum I only got thru about half the book and it seemed like he said it on every page.
@@tigerg8022 it really did
What! Holden unlikable?! He's one of the most lovable characters I have ever came across.
absolutely!
Nice pfp
yeah i liked him didn’t hate him at all
I seriously love him
Modern readers find him unlikable because they see Holden as privileged and whiny. Never mind the fact that he's been abused, neglected, and let down by almost every adult in his life and is still trying to figure things out without any real guidance. He's very misunderstood and will no doubt continue to be misunderstood by many readers in the future.
I don’t know why but I kind of liked Holden
Same, I liked him a lot. start to finish
Yeah I almost just wanted to be his friend and help that old bastard
in some moments I wanted to hug him, in others I wanted to punch him and sometimes I just wanted to fucking kiss him.
Because we're all Holden
Kinda fancy Holden ngl
Sorry, but I have to disagree.
I think that Holden's got his view of the world all right. His criticisms of society being a place of "phonies" is exactly what is wrong with adulthood, which is a struggle he is facing as he grows up (like many adolescents).
"Phony," to Holden, is somebody who embraces and falls accustomed to the societal standards and norms that are imposed on us. They work, they go to school, and don't view life as something important that is fleeting at any moment. This is why he adores Pheobe and Allie so much: because they are a symbol of innocence as they are children, whereas being an adult means submitting yourself to the meaningless things of life (ie. working to make money, to buy things, etc.)
This is why it is called "Catcher in the Rye," and, furthermore, why Holden wishes to work the job of being a catcher in the rye. Catching the children falling from the cliff is a metaphor for keeping them from falling into the abyss of adulthood, causing them to lose their innocence and become a "phony."
The reason he may come off as cocky or stubborn when calling everybody a "phony," is because he is frustrated with the fact that nobody around him realizes that life is something that should not be spent by working to some things that, in the grand scheme of things, mean nothing (ie. a degree, paying off a debt). He believes that if we all approached life with the goal of loving one another and showing human compassion, we would be a lot better off.
Well done. The adults (and peers) in this book are the problem, not Holden. They seem to endanger the innocent of the little ones. He is right to back off adulthood. Ariel needs to re-read the book.
@Christina I 100% agree with you.
This is so true.
christina very good interpretation I also felt that he constantly referred to the idea of modesty in it as well he constantly keeps. Saying conceited and snotty killed me. I guess it’s his way of describing how he doesent exactly understand why people were so attached to things like cars and jobs like lawyers when some of them did it only to look like a hot shot and weren’t genuine about things they did. And how his good morals mainly came from his innocent childlike side like never objectifying and sexualising his friend Jane and only mentioned her playing checkers
Well said, but why does it have to be a grand scheme of things. When people say the word grand, it makes me feel kinda lousy because it's so phony, it really is. I understand we have to use words like grand and not mean it, I really do. But it still is phony and makes me feel godamn lousy, it really does.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m the only one who came away from the book with a differing opinion (that somewhat applies to my own philosophies) or I missed the meaning Salinger intended, but I don’t think the novel was so much about identity, as it was an attack on the world and society that we live in.
I first read the book aged 16 and was really freaked out by it. I connected with it so much and I felt so understood (a rare thing when enduring the isolation of adolescence). I don’t think Holden was full of himself at all. I think he was simply unhappy with the way things were (granted he may have expressed it in a childish way at times but he WAS essentially still a child, battling with his entry into adulthood). I’m sure Salinger intended him to come across as an unstable, naive, angst-riddled teen, but I don’t think the main point was about ego or identity, but instead the realisation of how fake and contrived people are once you grow up.
For me it was a lot more about innocence, and how once you reach adult hood you are, in some sense, entered into a game. You can no longer say what you actually think, what you actually feel, what you actually want. You have to pretend to be happy all the time, pretend life is great. I think that’s a massive reason why The Catcher in the Rye is still so relevant today, with things like Facebook and Instagram, you are basically presenting your life portfolio to the world, “look how happy and successful I am, look at all my possessions”. As a child you couldn’t care less, you were a brutally honest, say-what-you-see being. You wouldn’t pretend to be happy all the time. You’d cry when you were sad. Shout when you were angry. Tell someone when they’d hurt you. You wouldn’t play games. You didn’t wear a mask.
I think Holden was basically addressing this throughout the novel. I don’t think he was unfairly judgemental, he simply saw the world for what it was, what is STILL is.
I think that’s why Holden is so hell bent on persevering innocence. He wants to stop kids from being entered into “the game”. He recognises how toxic the adult world is, how it’s almost impossible to gain happiness when you are constantly playing a role and no one will just be themselves and have decent, meaningful, selfless conversations with you, with no ulterior motives other than to simply understand one another and feel connected in a world so synthetic.
i 100% agree with your reading of the novel, however, i feel like your reading still deals with the notion of identity? throughout the novel i feel like salinger is asking us what constitutes one's identity, and also if we can ever be in control of that identity? holden, in my opinion, understands his own phoneyness and flaws (even though he won't admit it to the reader). he recognises, like you said, that the adult world requires you to play a game and wear a mask. i feel like this is one of the reasons why holden struggles so much throughout the novel, as he cannot come to terms with the idea that his identity is not something he has complete control over.
Nicole Burns Yes I agree! As you said he recognises that he too holds the flaws that he criticises other for having and it is almost like a battle between living a life he believes is real and void of phoniness, and surrendering to the world which has now surrounded him, full of games and deceit (albeit a game he must play in order to survive). And I think the ending is somewhat about him coming to terms with the idea that it’s okay to have those flaws and ‘play the game’.
Salinger’s other book Franny and Zooey seems to look into this kind of thing further on the ‘coming to terms with how fake the world is’ and how goodness can still be found within it. I really loved that book too if you haven’t read it I’d recommend checking it out!
KafkaDecaf I agree completely, I always got that the main theme was innocence and the loss of it. One thing that always ticks me off is how people have this notion that Holden is in a psychiatric ward, even though it's stated that he's being treated for t.b. and is putting his thoughts down to a psychoanalyst there.
On the nose searched youtube to find someone with the same opinion and thoughts i had about the book
don't know why but it reminded me of Peter Pan when i read the catcher in the rye part.
My favorite part: It was against my principles and all, but I was feeling so depressed I didn’t even think. That’s the whole trouble. When you’re feeling very depressed, you can’t even think.
I felt that
tbh I think the people who don't like holden just don't really understand him the way others do.
he's edgy and so is everyone else who sympathizes with him
@@nouanni :D
@@nouanni yes, i don't have enough sympathy for someone who acts like a spoiled brat.
@@perojo1168 How is he a spoiled brat? Do you believe that just because someone isn't cancer-ridden or poor it means they can't suffer too?
or maybe we just don't like people who objectify women?
I love this book and I also really enjoy this review. But I think Holden gets unfairly characterized as misogynistic. He makes critical remarks towards both men and women, in equally unflattering ways. Insulting both looks and intelligence in regards to both genders.
But if you look closer, every kind and meaningful interaction he has in the story are with women, most notably, older women. He seems to have a great affection for them, and I think it’s because they represent a motherly connection he didn’t have with his own mother.
Also notice that the women he insults are typically women he doesn’t really like that much. When he talks about Jane, he never says anything unkind, and he also never mentions her looks. I think what this means is that he isn’t misogynistic as so much as he’s extremely uncomfortable with sexuality. Not just his own, but everyone else’s too. He’s obsessed with Jane because he knew her before she matured into a sexual being. He fights Stradlighter because he sexualized her. He’s not misogynistic as so much as he’s simply sexually immature.
I think the reason for that also lies in how he interacts with the men in the story. He doesn’t have a single positive interaction with any adult or adolescent males. He’s extremely uncomfortable every time he’s alone with an adult male. And when his old teacher basically makes a pass at him, he gets extremely triggered by it. You can also tell that he doesn’t fully even understand why.
I think Holden was sexually abused by an adult male at some point of his childhood. He mentions that pretty flippantly towards the end of the book. I think this is why he’s so sexually avoidant, so emotionally immature, and so uncomfortable with masculinity, and so obsessed with innocence. I also think that’s the root of his deep seeded depression.
Just my take away from the story.
Very true man
I absolutely agree with u
Completely
note that the teacher making a pass at him is ambiguous. he could have been sympathising in a fatherly way. we do not know. overall, i agree
Mind-blowing 🤯
I'm at a loss as to how someone goes 90 percent into their thoughts on the book before pointing out Holden suffered the loss of a younger brother. That is really THE major overriding takeaway of this book. It's his defining moment and it's what helps the reader understand why Holden is like he is. He is a teenager who has been suffering from major depression for years and no adult has seen fit to help him with his condition (of course, treating mental illness was less common at the time the book was written). Wanting to be The Catcher in the Rye is first and foremost about Allie. He wants that job so bad just so can fantasize about how he would have had a chance to catch Allie and prevent his death. Secondarily, he'd be quite happy catching other people's kids just to prevent a sibling from having to suffer through what he's gone through.
Great comment. I think that if Ariel had actually bothered to research the book, she would have found out that J.D. Salinger (who presumably had a fairly dark view of humanity beforehand) served in the US Army and experienced brutal combat on D-Day, and later liberated freakin' CONCENTRATION CAMPS, after which he was treated for severe PTSD and suicidal tendencies (which he picked up on in some of his short stories). Imagine having gone through all that, and seeing a side of humankind that most people never have to witness, and then returning to the USA, where nobody has any idea what you've been through, and how the world really works. I think that would color your view of the world, and that's probably a big part of why Holden sees American society as he does: As phoney, superficial, and essentially meaningless. While Catcher is YA fiction, it's closer to Slaughterhouse Five than it is to, say, Twilight.
Yes, I agree with you. I get so annoyed by what I think was the trendy view that the book was about Holden dealing with 50's conformity, or adulthood or whatever. It's been my feeling that Holden himself is the one lost in the rye and needs catching before plummeting over the cliff. If ever there was a lost soul, it's Holden Caulfield, traumatized not only by his little brother's death, but further by the horrible death of a classmate who's jumped or been pushed out a window.
Ikr. What a damn phony. Women, they kill me sometimes
Jay Bingham and how he doesn’t like anyone apart from his brother that’s why and his sister
@@_Peremalfait and possibly abused as a child..?
I finished "The Catcher in the Rye" today after reading it for my English class, and I absolutely loved it. Holden is such an interesting and tragic character, and I was impressed by how much I grew to care for him and his future - definately recommend it! Now excuse me while I mourn finishing this book
I'd like to give my interpretation on what ducks mean. I think they represent that happiness that Holden desperately wants. Where ducks go when it's winter? Means where happiness go when I'm frozen?
Anyway, it's only my interpretation, but I like it though
For me, "The Catcher In The Rye" wasn't necessarily about a boy who struggles with the transformation from childhood to adult hood, its more about the struggle of what he knows he'll lose when becoming an adult. He fears he will lose the FREEDOM from conformity, originality, honesty of self expression, the essence of that which makes up who he truly is, these are to name a few. In his pursuit to maintain his identity he's confused on just how to manage such a feat so, He figures children have such freedom so he continues to act like a child (everyone tells him to grow up) his response is don't be such phonies. so to sum it up, its a story about a guy who desperately desires to keep the FREEDOM of not having to wear a mask which adults sadly choose or are coerced into having to wear. Escapism!
Some people say the name Holden is an analogy with the word Hold/Holding. What makes sense because Holden don't want to grow up. He feels he doesn't belong to this world of phonies and adults 'and all'. Anyway I adore your review!
guess he's holden onto his past
When I read the last page, and when I closed the book, I thought to myself "this was my favorite book I've ever read". My heart ached and yearned for Holden. I wanted to be his friend.... even though I'm old enough to be his grandfather.
Yes, once hundred percent, generally you feel disappointed when book ends like that but to me it was perfect
If someone asked what my favorite book is, I wouldn't say this one. But if they asked me what book was most important to me, I probably would. My copy has a lot of sentimental value because my English teacher gave it to me in my sophomore year of high school, and in his clever ability to see through my own "phoniness" it became a case of the right book at the right time. I was at a point in my life where I was unable to cope after some difficult experiences and could very much feel Holden's grief and confusion. When I saw Holden's self-destructive behaviors and his inability to connect to others, I saw myself there, too, and it gave me the perspective to change and grow. I can understand why people hate his character so much, but at the same time I can't help but love him because of this kinship I feel. To me, The Catcher in the Rye speaks to the highly personal and connective power of literature.
The cab driver thought that the goddamn fish just get frozen in place in the lake. That killed me, it really did
I remember having to read this book in school and being so scandalized that the word fuck was on it. I was a kid and didn't know people could write curses in books.
"flawed?" Holden is emotionally disturbed
It's been several months since this video has been uploaded but i want to comment so badly right now. You know, i love it when two people read the same book and it feels like they've read different books. I love it. The approach, the feeling, everything about this book feels different from yours and i honestly find that so, so, so interesting. Even though i would agree on most of the things that you mentioned, i will leave a few of my thoughts on the book. Holden is in pain the whole time. He is in so much pain, he is constantly suffering and his whole attitude is about trying not to accept that. He is in denial about everything and everyone. He feels lonely because he has this need to be needed, nobody seem to fullfil him and so his depression gets worse, he even shows signs of panic attacks. Holden is nice person and i stand by what i say here. He has a good heart. And just bcz he does so, i could not give up on him. All he ever needed was someone to care. So in the end, this redemption of his, i loved it. His sister saved him, unintentionally cz she was too young to understand how and why, but she really did save him. He was happy in that final scene, and i loved how powerful that scene was.
Chara_ MimL this is what I feel about the book, about Holden. :)
He is just a nice person and i love him and i love the book. It's nice when people find the same things in a book as you do :)
I totally agree with you. Everyone talks about Holden being a hypocrite or an arrogant jerk, and I actually think he is really, really hurt and really, really lonely. My heart goes out to Holden.
This was one of the most interesting things to me when I first read Catcher in the Rye in school. I’ve read it numerous times since and still feel incredible empathy to Holden, but still find it jarring when I hear people react to him in this way. Particularly in that the narrative is that of Holden at 17 speaking of his actions at 16. So Even then, we are viewing his story of pain through a veil, only what he’s willing to show and with some verbiage that distances himself. He often speaks of “you” when he really means “I” when speaking of painful things. And when it can’t be avoided, it gut punches you. Like when he tells you his brother is dead. His tense switches. Not that his brother had died, but that his brother IS dead. I think that so relevant and I find it fascinating to see who reacts to what. Will you react to his red hunting cap security blanket the same colour of his dead brother’s hair? Will you pick up on the part where he alluded to being sexually abused? Will you understand that he just wants to walk into a phone booth and have someone to call?
Holy shit do you have any idea what paragraphs are?
i’m copying every word of this for my english class
hahahhaah same here
I laughed out loud at this
I think my favorite part about Holden is how flawed he is, it makes him realistic and relatable
Holden calls everybody phonies because he's a hurt guy. A hurt 17 year old at that. Why does everybody put him to such high moral standards? The guy has a lot of empathy, and a big heart too. He's just a really sensitive guy who feels offended by most of life. Ever lose a little brother who you loved when you were still a teen???
agree with every fucking word
A highly sensitive hurt guy, which has got to be incredibly painful.
I absolutely adored this review. I also really loved what you had to say in the intro. The Catcher in the Rye is my favorite classic, but I also think that the time in my life during which I read this made me connect to it and favor it a lot more than I might have if I read it at a different point in my life. I agree with so many of the things you mentioned in this review. Especially what you said about facades and phonies. Again, loved this. Spectacular review.
Ahhhhhhhh thank you so much
same!! this review was so brilliant and natural. Catcher is one of my favourite books ever for the same reasons as you!!
I am 60 years old and first read this book at age 10 (about 1969) when I discovered it in my parent's bookshelf. It was like a comet lighting up the sky of my life, my introduction to the world of literature, and like thousands of other people I totally related to Holden Caulfield and was captivated by his "voice" (which of course is the voice of J.D. Salinger). I have read it through perhaps a dozen times in the 50 years since then. It is a classic "Bildungsroman" or "coming of age novel." I thought your analysis had some good points but, like others who have read it, with less than total enthusiasm I think you were a bit blinded by Holden's foibles (his "hypocrisy," misogyny, etc., etc.) . He is a troubled youth, and even as a 10 year old and later as an angst-ridden teenager reading the book and agreeing with about 90% of what he said and FELT, I could see that he was trapped in a dead-end or endless maze of despair. The great climax of the book - to me - is when he is saved by misanthropy by the love of his little sister in the scene where she appears toting a large suitcase because she is going to leave with him. The book IMO is ultimately about love and the redemptive power of love.
i read this a few years ago when i was sixteen or seventeen- not for school though- and i loved it. i thought holden was such a sad character and i empathised so much with him. i didn't think the novel was hilarious at all, i thought it was pretty tragic. and i didn't think he was a jerk, i mainly felt how alone he was and how depressing his life was and that made him act the way he did. but i think it's time to give this novel a second read and see weather my opinion might change.
Sympathizing with a character is not nearly as important as empathizing with them. People get hung up on likability of a character instead of understanding their motivations. As we hang out in Holden's head we start understanding why he is the way he is. Details are slowly revealed that tell us why he's like this and it makes for one of the most endearing characters in literary history.
This book broke my goddamn heart, to tell you the truth. It really did. It broke my goddamn heart.
Wow, you definitely succeeded at being comprehensive. And whenever you said something scathing, like about Holden being a horrible person, my petulant fan side wanted to gripe, because I do think it's a crude assessment, but I totally understand where you're coming from. He can be a pill.
In order to give some sympathy to the "phoniness" thing that really bothered you I think that -- if you're the sort of reader who's inclined to consider the writer's bio -- you need to look at Holden's perspective as that of a veteran with PTSD coming back to the states. Salinger, as a soldier in WWII, had seen the liberation of a concentration camp and fought in The Battle of the Bulge, which is widely considered one of the most gruesome battles of the war, and he saw all of this starvation and torture and bloodshed, and then he came back to NYC and saw people getting pissed about the fact that their girlfriend was late for dinner. Or that they wasted money on a shitty movie. Meanwhile he was like, "You realize none of this matters, right?" Hence Holden's obsession with phoniness. He's not a 17-year-old boy so much as a 30-something man who's haunted by things she did and saw during wartime.
I love Holden, but I don't think what you're saying is untrue. Salinger is trying to show this kid in the midst of a crisis, this low point in his life. I mean, it's so bad he has to go to a psychiatric ward. So a lot of his behavior, I think can be attributed to that. Not that that excuses it, but it explains it, and it doesn't necessarily make him a bad person.
And I don't think he's necessarily obsessed with judging everyone. I think he's pretty disillusioned with society, and that comes out in criticisms of facades, like you said, and how people present themselves.
I agree, I believe Holden is explaining how lonely he is. Yet, he’s blaming society for his isolation.
I agree with a lot of this but would argue that he’s not disillusioned at all. He’s seeing the world for what it is, now that he’s entering adulthood he sees that everyone is wearing a mask and playing a game of sorts, and nobody really cares about anyone but themselves and they’ll lie and deceive to get what they want.
He’s comparing the world to what it was before, during childhood, where people were genuine (or at least he was too naive to tell when adults were lying). For example the way he clings to memories, like the girl he’d play chess with, and he’d wonder if she “still kept all her kings in the back row”, suggesting has she changed? Is she now playing the game differently?
This is obviously just my take on it but this is how the message took form and revealed itself to me. I think it’s a book that attacks society and the way the world has ended up working, which appears to be in no ones favour really.
jesse valenzuela I think society mostly IS to blame.
also - the name? Holden could mean "(to) hold on to something" and I think this clearly represents his character. He constantly depends on others, yet he doesn't want to admit it, because he seems to hate weakness (probably because of Allie's death). On the surface - Holden seems like a unlikeable character, but once you understand him and get to know his past, he's broken (which also correlates with him keeping the broken record for Phoebe).
an*
funny I kind of liked Holden, I really identified with him. that's what made Salinger so great, but as you pointed out Holden is a jerk. I must be one too. but hey that's just me.
I love Holden and relate to him, and the fact everyone apparently thinks he’s awful is very unnerving. Maybe I’m... terrible.
@Robert Russell And interestingly, not long enough.
I've just discovered your channel through a discussion on reddit and I'm in love with it. I've been binging on your videos for the past couple of hours and cannot simply stop. Thank you for making all these lovely videos and making us think about storytelling
I'm so glad you finally read the catcher in the rye. It's truly a great classic.
I'm a person who's felt lonely quite often in life. And I have never related to a character in this capacity. Truth me told, I adore Caulfield. ❤️
I just have to say that I love your videos. I love to watch good content on UA-cam. And I think this channel is one of those little hidden treasures you find after a long journey on Internet...keep going, this is gold.
This is one of my favorite novels and I'm so excited that you've finally made a video on it! In high school, a lot of my peers didn't enjoy the novel. They understood the literary devices and why it's considered a classic, but they just didn't enjoy the story. I especially love how you put it, that you don't like Holden but you like reading Holden. To me it's not about liking Holden or agreeing with his decisions, but following his story and his struggle to let go of childhood and grow up. I've had people say to me that it's depressing and Holden's narration is annoying, but I'm glad that you also see the humor in it!
The Catcher in the Rye used to be my favourite novel. I read it first when I was 14, then again when I was 16 and LOVED it. I related to Holden so well - and at the time I thought Holden was the epitome of the struggle it is to be a young person. Then, when it was time for my to be me senior thesis in my Advanced Literature course, I chose to do it on my favourite novel. My plan was to write my thesis on how, through Holden, J.D. Salinger captured the essence of being a teenager with depression and the scope of the novel throughout history. However, at 18 years old when I re-read The Catcher in the Rye, I absolutely hated the main character. I saw Holden as a whiny, sexist, jerk, and had no idea how I ever related to him. I ended up writing my thesis on Unreliable Narrators - including Holden Caufield. I agree that people's opinions are very polarised, and I have known many people who, like myself, loved it and then hated it. However, now that I think about it, 14/16 year old me was right - Holden does emulate what it is like to be a teenager, especially a teenager struggling with some obvious mental health problems, and a big part of me enjoying the book was my relation to Holden. Then, once I got older, I could no longer relate to Holden, and saw him a completely different way. To me, and I'm assuming many others, The Catcher in the Rye is two books - the one you read as a teenager, and the one you read as an adult.
I did my a level on this a few days ago. We had to compare the Scarlett Letter and the catcher and the rye based on the fact that the protagonists are outsiders. It was really interesting to analyse Holden. I think he wants to change society but he actually embodies parts of society himself (like you said, he is a sexist at times). But i think more than offering ways to change society it's more a bildungsroman. Basically a journey of his own immaturity, self-discovery and growing up. Although he is a hypocrite, I think it does offer a valid critique of society whilst pointing out the flaws of the protagonist himself. I found him similar to Nick from the great gatsby; he is ambivalent. Making a perfect lead character wouldn't be realistic so I have to applaud J.D Salinger.
Emperiangirl Yes. Like in a way Holden is very much a product of the society he detests. The difference is he acknowledges the flawed ways in which everyone goes about life in this plastic society, playing the game and doing what they need to do to be successful or liked or accepted. He sees the phoniness, except there’s no other way to go about life, you play this game or you’re out. You take part in the façade or become a societal outcast. You are essentially trapped.
I always love hearing your thoughts on any books. You brought up really interesting points. Love your thinking.
loved this short analysis!! well done ❤️
This books literally changed my life. It inspired me to not only read, but to KEEP ON reading. I am a much better human being today because of it.
I kind of experienced the same.
The Catcher in the Rye is definitely one of my favourite classics and one of my favourite books. Loved your discussion on the title, something i discovered when I was analysing this for school a few years ago, is that the original song that Holden is singing is actually about sex, hence 'meet' and I think that adds even more depth the him misinterpreting it, and the fact that Phoebe is the one who corrects him! all the way throughout the book Holden craves the intelligence and independence he associates with adulthood, while pushing it away at the same time. My favourite part of the whole book is when he's talking about the museum, and how everything is the same in there ever since he was a kid. I have to say, even thought I know i should hate him i kind of love Holden.
I noticed that too!! I honestly can't help but wonder how Phoebe learned about that poem...
I just want to say thank you for this amazing review. This is the first time that I see someone on youtube making such a complex and interesting review about a classic, especially The catcher in the Rye which is one of my favorite books of all time. I totally agree with you on a lot of points, especially about Holden. I always thought he was such an interesting character, and I think he was the reason why I loved this book so much.Again, thank you for this amazing review.
I love how eloquent your reviews are. This was a really interesting review, and it made me want to give this one a reread.
I really disliked The Catcher in the Rye the first time I read it (in high school, but not for class), but you've actually made me want to try it again.
HEEHEE OOPS.
try Atkin's Diet
Steven, you're a real prince, you know that? Try a goddam personality transplant, ya moron.
I just finished the book while being annoyed by Holden throughout the whole time.
However, after watching this, I regretted not having watched this before finishing. This video made him more likeable to me somehow
another commenter brought up the point that these 3 days were when Holden was having a mental break and I just wanted to add that this book was refreshing. Holden is meant to show the darker side of mental illness. People with depression are apathetic, they can be cruel, they can be awful and rude and judgemental and misogynistic. mental illness doesn't somehow turn you into a harmless doe eyed sad girl, it's devastating and can happen to anyone, and Holden has never been stable and at this point, all his worst qualities are highlighted because we've never seen anything else.
So two years later here I am commenting, but I wanted to point out there were two events that left Holden traumatized. The death of his little brother, and later at school a boy he'd loaned a sweater to is pushed out a window to his death. It's no wonder he's a screwed up mess. Those deaths amount to way more than the Holden vs adulthood, or Holden vs modern society etc, etc. that many critics have talked about. To me it's an ageless question. Why do bad things happen to good people? And why, as was the case with the boys who forced the boy out the window, do the wicked sometimes go unpunished? It's enough to push anyone over the edge, let alone a sensitive teenager.
@@_Peremalfait I would also like to further elaborate uponn the example. when recalling the incident of the boy who died wearing his sweater, he emphasizes over and over how this one teacher was the only one to help him and hold him, without caring about his coat or getting his clothes dirty. THIS very teacher harasses Holden, who already experienced sexual harassment multiple times during his childhood........
@@athena6694The book isn't completely clear if the teacher was actually molesting Holden. Holden awakes on the couch to find the teacher stroking his hair. The teacher claims he was only admiring his hair. Whatever the case, Holden's trust in a teacher he admired is broken.
@@_Peremalfait exactly, Holden is trying to show it as something "casual" which is what makes it even more realistic, especially when he says that "you can never be sure about these things;" which is the case in real life, the victim would subconsciously wonder if what happened was harassment or not. but it was late and the teacher just woke up, while probably drunk due to all the glasses he's been having, and stroke his hair
Your thoughts on Holden are so accurate!! Haven't watched such a good review in ages. :)
This was an A+ video!! Absolutely loved hearing your thoughts. Can't wait to see more reviews like this!!
At the root Holden is suffering from PTSD, depression and sadness. This due to the death of his kid brother Allie and the boy that jumped out of a window. I think that your review is very superficial and narrow minded. You seem to not be able to view the character from outside your own point of view.
A book of this depth has to be read with an open mind and heart. You’re not doing this. Holden is borderline suicidal and depressed. This is why he keeps repeating that things kill him. Repetition brings comfort to someone in his state of mind. His criticism of people’s insincerity is part of that as well. The people I know that suffer from depression and pretty much all deep thinkers and have an overly active sense of empathy. This book needs to be felt rather than read. It needs for the reader to have empathy. To read this book from today’s point of view and to critique is from that outlook is shortsighted. I would encourage you to read it again and when you find Holden is getting on your nerves, try I figure out why his behaviour is getting on your nerves.
I apologize because first I rarely leave comments online, and second, I don’t like to negatively criticize anyone. In this case I think you’re so far off the mark that I couldn’t help myself.
I don't think I could have said it any better. If you miss the significance of Allie's death then you've missed the biggest key to Holden's character. And frankly, even if that does get missed, I think Holden's still a really likeable guy--* especially for an unmistakably depressed 17 year-old!*. It always gets me when I hear people blowing him off as a "jerk". He's got so much good in him. He's funny, quite empathetic (in some ways more than others), and overall a good dude. Just needs to find his way. So, thanks for promoting some empathy for the guy, and for a greater reading of a wonderful book.
Spot on. He is dealing with unresolved grief, trauma, sexual abuse, lack of support, depression and loneliness. His thoughts are disordered as they jump all over the place. He can't concentrate, he is impulsive, he is angry, anxious erratic - all symptoms of depression. Holden is so honest to us in his thoughts, he is generous and a loving brother. Wish he got a big old hug from old Jane, I really do.
He said in the book that the character doesn't know too many English word coz no education. So he repeat the same thing like "that kills me" all the time. To show the character less educated.
He said English was the only subject he didn’t flunk though
@@rosslyntierney5764 but he also says he has a terrible vocabulary
The Catcher in the Rye (Il giovane Holden, in Italian) is one of my favourite books of all time and I must say that I started looking at your video being SO critical about what I was going to listen to.
I LOVED IT.
It was so personal, so sincere, so true.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
I was in Italy last summer and I was kind of hoping to see the Italian Catcher in the Rye! I'm glad I now what it's called, haha! Does that translate into "The Young Man Holden" or "The Young Holden"? I'm learning Italian and the words and sentence structure are really weird sometimes.
I love this energy and passion in your voice, the articulation, the non-stop gesture and body language in your presentation. It sure is a great novel. Have read it more than 3 times.
Hi, Ariel! I quite enjoyed hearing your thoughts and I loved how you pointed out Holden's flaws, specifically his arrogance. We recently dissected the famous quote where he longs to be the catcher in the rye in my history class and I thought I'd share what our class had come up with. We discussed the cliff as a metaphor for American conformity (seeing as how Holden often speaks of others being phony and the idea of the classic American ideal was born in the 40s.) many Americans of the time struggled with retaining their individuality and longed to achieve the white picket fence and the two gleaming children playing in the yard. All of this considered, we discussed the idea of Holden wanting to protect the youth's creativity and individuality and stop them from running off the metaphorical cliff of American conformity of the time. Though, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your thoughts about Holden being the protector of innocence!
I thought when he said that he wanted to be the catcher in the rye, just meant that he wanted to be freed from social so called norms , aka phonies, and save the youth from those trappings that he had come to recognized..
I read this book as an angsty teen and totally identified with Holden. As a result of your video, I dusted off my old copy and gave it a re-read today, and, not surprisingly, as an angsty adult, I totally identified with Holden. Thanks for reminding me of how great this book is, Ariel. It's not crumby at all, and neither are you. :)
I was exactly like you when i discovered the meaning of the title !! I was so excited !^=^ Great vid !
You're the most intelligent person on UA-cam. You really are.
Watched the video, read the comments a lot of good stuff. I think there are a few major points missing though. No one seems to have called out the fact that the book starts off with Holden being kicked out off school because he doesn't apply himself. The school itself here signifies society, it's judgement and its rejection of Holden. He's been kicked out of many schools which shows him constantly being pushed out as an 'other' or as an 'outsider' by the society he lives in/tries to participate in/tries to belong in.This is not Holden's subjective perspective but the objective reality that actually does take place in the book. Holden is a judgemental prick yes, but generally judgement for others comes about so strongly when one can't find a way relate to them. Throughout most of the book he's trying to find someone to talk to, who will genuinely listen to him or show interest in what he has to say yet he keeps failing at establishing any kind of meaningful/sincere human interaction. So he has no one to talk to but himself in his own head and cycle through thoughts and rationalizations for why people are the way they are. He also tells Phoebe when she asks why he got kicked out of school that he just didn't like anything about the school. The judgement towards others and his justification for what happened at Pensey is perhaps even a defense mechanism: Holden has to rationalize, justify, find and understand the reason why he feels an outsider so he calls everyone phony, convinces himself that they are less than him, asserts that he hated his school anyway... all of which make it seem like he is actually trying to convince himself that he has some autonomy in his situation and that him being so lonely is somewhat his own choice...that he himself perhaps chose not to associate with people, that him getting kicked out of school was something induced perhaps by his own will and accordance with his own intentions. He keeps telling himself and to us that indirectly that he has a say in his situation while he is actually completely powerless. This is Holden's self-delusion of course, otherwise he would have to accept the alternative that perhaps something must be deeply wrong with him - a reality that is very damaging to one's psyche, ESPECIALLY when you're a teenager - a critical time for the development of one's identity. Anyway, I can go on forever about this book but bottom line is I think the idea that Holden is a stuck up teenager is a very surface level critique of his character which does not do justice to investigating the underlying reasons why he APPEARS to behave the way that he does. The adult world and even his peers constantly reject him so he himself mirrors what he sees as his reality and starts rejecting the world while only finding comfort and inspiration in his clinging to childish innocence represented by his dead little brother Allie and his little sister Phoebe. The book is also about people of any age who may feel ostracized in society. What does this make us want to ask about society itself?
Great video. I agree with your perspective. Since I don't have anyone to share my enjoyment for the book I'm happy to listen to you and all.
I found the book hard to read initially but it grew on me. Holden is a sad child who needs love and support. i think he was abused somehow which is why he's fixated on innocence. that and the death of his brother really messed him up
This is like the best video you've ever made
The Catcher in the Rye was an interesting read and 100% a young adult novel.
Great review.
Brilliant review! I loved hearing your thoughts and opinions. I'm glad to see someone else who found this book hilarious, no one ever mentions that! The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books ever, because I don't think I've ever felt connected to a book that much. I used to feel kind of concerned how much I related to this problematic character, but looking back I realize it makes sense, because I read it during a time when I was still figuring things out, and I was questioning some of the things that Holden himself questions in the book. Even though I can see the flaws that you have pointed out in him, I can't help but feel oddly defensive because I guess I see parts of my young self in him, and I want to protect that vulnerable lost teen.
this is such a great video!
Catcher is one of my favourite classics ever, for many reasons, including the ones you mentioned in your video, but any time I recommend it to someone and they ask me what it's about, I have to tell them that there's really not much of a plot and it's just Holden walking around, thinking and well, being Holden. And normally you'd think that a book with no real plot would be pretty boring to read, but that is the genius thing about The Catcher In The Rye: even though there isn't a lot of stuff going on, reading all about Holden and his thoughts is just so interesting that you don't even notice the absence of any real plotline and just enjoy reading it.
I also think it portrays alienation pretty well. How we're conditioned to alienate from our own personal thoughts or feelings, and generally from others as well; until we're all basically just communicating with inauthentic selves that have nothing to do with our own genuine desires or thoughts. I think it kind of goes hand it hand with the "Beat" generation and a lot of those novels actually. If you read Allen Ginsbergs "Howl" it makes more sense. Actually, I think it's kind of a proto-type to all that stuff.
Theres a difference between "Young Adult" novels and the "Bildungsroman" novels. Portrait Of The Artist as a Young Man and Demian are Bildungsroman's. Stuff like John Green is Young Adult.
LOVED this video Ariel! Would love to hear more of your thoughts on different classics
This was so GOOD!!! You're fantastic at discussing books, these videos are so INTERESTING. I now want to read the book. :)
I quite enjoyed this book, and i agree about Holden and how annoying he is on going on about stuff he doesn't like and calling people phoney. Yet, i associate that with him being just a teenager, and being lost in life. He talks about how he doesn't know what he is gonna do etc during the novel and just wandering without a plan, escaping the inevitable conclusion of him meeting his parents; he is just lost and that just shows us he is a teenager after all even though he always tries to talk about things like he's lived a lengthy life. He is a hypocrite indeed, even when it comes to who he is. He tries to talk and speak like an adult but hes just a teen.
Totally agree! His whole aimless journey is totally relatable to young people trying to figure everything out!
and just about him repeating the same catchphrases ( and all, phoney ), he is just afraid of change as a concept. He constantly talks about how change scares him, mainly in the shape of growing up. I think when he asks the taxi drivers about where the ducklings ( or ducks? i don't remember exactly ) go during winter, that whole question is kind of a metaphor for his life in that exact period. He has left school and just went out wandering, and everything in his life kinda froze like it would with the pond that the ducks live in, and hes left the pond when it was 'moving' and still alive, like his life when it was kinda fulll of action. Sorry about the long message, just i love this part, needed to share it
+FakeTribute ! so true! I think that the question he asks the taxi driver is one of the most, if not the most, important part of the story. well said
The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favourite classics. This was such a great review... I agree with pretty much everything you said! I laughed in so many parts during the book, it was just so enjoyable! Holden's character was very reminiscent of someone I knew my own life and what you said about the facades and judgement is so true. THANK YOU FOR THIS REVIEW, I LOVED IT!
EEE THANKS :D
I enjoyed your review a lot, thank you very much!
This was such a fascinating video to watch. I read The Catcher in the Rye, hated it (because of the disagreeable main character), and dismissed it. I was totally wrong, the way you talk about the book is fantastic! I definitely won't be so quick to dismiss a book in the future. I haven't done English Literature since Secondary School, but you make me wish I had!
I'm so glad this video gave you some different ideas and perspectives! Maybe my English Degree wasn't a waste!
Haha it certainly wasn't a waste!
Your take on this book was very different than mine. Where you saw an unreliable, irritating jerk in Holden Caulfield, I saw a broken boy that was struggling mightily to make sense of life after losing a brother to leukemia. Having lost a brother myself when 14, I could identify with what Holden was going through. And to exacerbate things even more, a student Holden knows commits suicide while wearing his borrowed sweater. Under the circumstances, it's easy to see why Holden was messed up and acted the way he did. And, like real life, everyone else in the book was oblivious to his emotional struggles. I was very much in Holden’s corner, hoping for his best every step of the way.
Excellent video, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts
This is a great video and now I think I'm gonna reread this! And I also loved how you said that you hated the character but you loved reading him because that's what I've been thinking about certain characters in different books but couldn't figure out how to put that feeling into words!
This is the exact reason why it's so totally okay to have unlikeable main characters! It can still be a really interesting reading experience! Glad you agree :D
One of my all time favorite novels. You really did a great job reviewing it. Hope more will read the book, because of your excellent talk.
I was obsessed the book right when I started it! reminded me of perks of being a wallflower a lot ... and that's my favorite book of all time :] he can be so twisted and sexist but I like that I was mad at him and he kept breaking the rules. the way it was written and a lot of little details were just like my internal dialogue which sounds weird... but actually I related to Holden a lot. I've always hated the ego and stupidity granted in adulthood and Lmao I think Holden is one of the greatest characters of all time. honestly love him.
tulipswift I think Perks of Being a Wallflower was inspired by Catcher in the Rye.
I wrote my senior thesis in undergrad last year about The Catcher in the Rye and studied it extensively for months! Great video :) This book has a lot of hidden gems! Definitely watch the documentary called "Salinger" it gives a great perspective on the book and the author!
Ooo thank you! That means loads coming from a pro! 😁 and neat! I'll totes look into it!
Fantastic analysis, loved the video!
Holden's name is so interesting! A 'caul' is a membrane which covers the head of a fetus just before birth and so his name could mean to 'hold on' to something that protects the young. :)
I think this is the greatest book of all time. I'm making my own huge video on this analysing and discussing it, but I would love to chat with you about it in more depth!
Listen, You sort of missed the whole point of the book. It kills me, it really does.
just finished this book. you put alot of things in perspective for me thank you! love your personality btw :)
I loved hearing your thoughts! I haven't read this book in a couple years and this totally brought me back! I loved what you said about it being a young adult, I've actually heard John Green talking about how Looking For Alaska was loosely based off of this one, especially the view that Holden has on the female characters in the story. I also think it's important for adults to read too, though, because I think it gives everyone a really empathetic way of looking at an immature and flawed young person, we can all understand where Holden is coming from, even if we hate him at the same time. (Personally, those flawed characters are my favorites to read)
I definitely believe Cather in the Rhye requires 2 readings one when the reader is about Holden's age and the next when the reader is way older. As a 22 year old I personally think Holden was a little shit.
I agree. Although I wonder if this is a sign that I'm starting to forget what it was like to be a teenager
summer2011leggo I'm 16 and I'm reading this book for the first time, and I do relate to Holden sometimes but I also think he was kind of a douchebag.
broaden your mind, holden caulfield is life
Well then that's a life that I don't want to live jesus
This girl didn't really grasp the meaning behind this book. I think that's pretty obvious.
@@richardkeijzer636 did she really not grasp it? I mean can't people just have different opinions and interpretations? Everyone is going to have a different view on something, dosent mean they didnt understand it.
@@annacibiniak2268 It's extremely and painfully obvious that his girl did not grasp Holden's character and the book at all. The way she talkes, she doesn't seem to understand that Holden is fed up with the ''phony'' world (a.k.a. ''the matrix'') of adults, which is totally rotten and corrupted. Hence the reason he loves the innocence & purity of children, which he wants to save from becoming these rotten and corrupted adults. Hence the title ''The Catcher in The Rye'', which (if you have read the book) relates to him saving children from turning into phony and corrupted adults. If you are someone that has AWAKENED, and therefor are aware of how fucked up our world is, you simply can not dislike this book and Holden. You just simply can't. Ofcourse he is socially (very) awkward, but his intentions are pure and sincere. So this girl, Ariel, is ofcourse (!) one of the phonies Holden talks about in his book, because she does not relate to Holden at all and even says she hates him. Long sory short: she really, really did not grasp any of this. I rest my case.
@@richardkeijzer636 I mean, I agree with the book. I have a similar outlook on reality as Winston, I'm very disalussioned with reality. When Holden started to talk about how he dosent want to be stuck in the money making cycle that dosent make anyone happy, it resonated with me deeply. I could realise that Holden was right in a lot of situations, about "phonies" etc. I liked his character. But even through all of this I could recognise Holden has soma
e very unlikeable moments and destructive character traits. He has an inflated ego, thinking everyone who thinks differently to him is a "phony" (even if it's just going to the cinema lol) , he's awfully impulsive and can be uneccessarily rude. I understand and agree with all the commentary but I can see why people wouldn't like him at the same time. He may have good intentions and be a good person at heart, but what's in your heart and your actions are two different things. I just think that you can believe what this book is telling you and dislike his character.
It’s so interesting that Holden is so polarising: while reading it I had no idea that anybody could dislike him. I want him to be my best mate. His hypocrisy and flaws prove that he’s losing a sense of purpose, idk I just wanna give him a hug.
This was an amazing review, wow. If you had taught me this when I had to read it in high school I definitely would have appreciated it and understood it a lot better.
Does Holden really know Jane, or is he lying about their relationship to the reader?
I think he knew her decently well but that Jane never viewed him like that.
Jane is a fantasy figure. Holden lives in the past and he's lying to himself. He doesn't want to believe that she has grown up and has lost her innocence. She is the perfect example of pureness and Holden doesn't call her because that would ruin his fantasies and would disappoint him to realize that she's not the same like she used to be.
I’m sorry you missed the point of the title. He imagined the children running in the rye field. That would be his dream job, he’s the catcher in the rye. Holden will go on to be a teacher in my heart.
Amazing review, Ive read the book four times and still learned new things from your video that I hadnt noticed before. Really interesting, great job Ariel! p.s. you're my favorite booktuber, we have such similar tastes and I always learn new things about books and writing and life from you. You're so inspiring.
I read The Catcher in the Rye when I was 16 and immediately named it my favorite book. Re-read it recently at age 25 and sort of wish I hadn't. Truly a read most appreciated by a teenage boy. Reading it now makes me miss all the things about myself when I was 16 that I strongly related to Holden.
Yikes. I hate to be the one ...but... you missed it, sorry. Holden is severely depressed and has attempted suicide and is in the hospital . he is from a very wealthy family that packs him off to private schools all the time. he has no love or any kind of relationship with his parents, he can't seem to understand the world without supervision-someone to guide him: a mother or father or older brother. he is struggling terribly. Coming through the rye is a very famous Scottish song by Robbie burns When a buddy meets buddy coming through the rye, if a buddy sees a buddy makes a buddy cry. I sang this all the time as a kid. Holden can't make friends because he doesn't know how, he is belligerent because he is defensive, he is always trying to beat his anxieties, he tries to survive by being right--haven't you ever met a teen who is desperate to belong so they pretend to know everything? The most amazing thing about this book however is the writing style--you didn't mention it. Salinger has become a teen , A very emotionally disturbed teen, and he has adapted a teen vernacular using short terms and hyperbole--this was never seen before by a writer--THIS is what made the book famous, not so much the plot (of which there is very little--its really just a rant) but the continuous style depicting teen vernacular-- You can't like or hate Holden--thats not the point--you DISCOVER Holden, you find out about a kid like Holden, its a discussion of teen angst or emotion or possibly psychosis . Its a study of an author getting into the personality of a teen to enlighten and bring awareness, its also depicting the mixed-up personality of a teen that has been devoid of parental love and has been shoved into boarding schools and has been ignored--no one seems to see that he is suffering---including you.
don't know why those lines are through there--read them anyway, they are not crossed out.