THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

The Catcher in the Rye was written by Jerome David Salinger. It is his most important work which established him as a leading author. It was written in 1951.
 It is hard to say whether I like the novel or not. Some parts are quite interesting, but on the other hand it can get very boring once in a while. The most annoying part is at the beginning where he describes his acquaintances (I would say friends, but is that friendship). Everybody is either stupid or phony. Most often both. And the language is also very irritating. I do not mind using slang very much. What really irritates me is the way he talks. It was one particular phrase that bothered me most. He always used and all when he was talking about something. But story itself was rather interesting. So to put it short, I like the story but not a heros personality.
Holden Caulfield is a prototype of the rebellious and confused adolescent. He describes us his problems. But his biggest problem is his attitude towards other people. He hates everybody except  his brothers and sister. His death brother Allie and sister Phoebe are his favorites. He is teenager. This should tell all about his personality. But it is not just that. His behavior is a bit extreme even for a teenager. His personality is very complicated. He says he hates phonies, whatever that means. He did not do single reasonable thing in whole novel.We must admit that he loves his mother and that he does not want to hurt her, especially since he know how his brothers death affected her. And father. We do not know much about him. He is a lawyer. The relationship between them is cold. His attitude towards adults  is quite typical for teenager. But it is hard to say it in general, because he never expresses his opinion that way. He does treat people as individuals, even adults, like some teenagers. The only girl that he really cares about, besides his sister Phoebe, is Jane. The others are just cute  entertainment. But we cannot say that for his schoolmates. They are all just a bunch of idiots for him. Usually he hates them all. Why? No specific reason actually. He just hates them, just like school. But he hates school because of the lack of interest in things, which is also typical for teenagers. 
The  people, that affected him most are his brothers Allie and D.B., his sister Phoebe and his teachers, especially Mr. Spencer and Mr. Antolini. His brothers Allie and D.B. are his idols. His death brother Allie is some kind of myth to him. His death really hurts him a lot. He really wants to be like he was. It is very alike with his brother D.B. He also respects him a lot, although not so much as Allie. His respect is probably based on D.B.s success. He is the only member of his family that achieved something important. Phoebe is the only person that he really likes. Mr. Spencer and Mr. Antolini were very keen in his education. They tried to change the way he thinks, not very successful as we can see. But Mr. Antolini affected him most when Holden woke up with his hand patting his head. It was quite a scary experience for him. 
Role of the language is very important in this novel. Author tried to make Holden and reader one. He wants us to feel like the hero fells and think like Holden thinks. This is why he uses slang.
The theme of the book is growing and spiritual development of the hero, Holden Caulfield. But this is not all. He also wants us to know how does adolescent man thinks, feels and how does he respond at certain situations. He wants to explain teenagers soul, his point of view on this world.
The story is set back in late forties. This is the time just after the second world war (WWII). Story itself begins at Pencey college, but most of it is happening in New York. Anyway, story remains actual until today and will probably always be. The fact is that time of happening is not mentioned at all. Well never but once. He did mentioned that his brother was in WWII. But on the other hand is location described quite satisfactory. But as said the time and place of happening are not essential.



								Boris Pavec, 3g
