I started the year off with J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. It was 214 pages. I chose to read this because I felt like it was one of those novels that most people read, either for a class or for their own enjoyment.
This realistic fiction book follows sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield after he gets expelled from Pencey Preparatory Academy because of his failing grades. Instead of waiting until winter break starts, Holden decides to leave his boarding school four days in advance. The resentment he has for his classmates drives him to take a train to his home state of New York. His parents haven't received the letter about Holden's expulsion, and he doesn't want to get home before they know. The teenager uses the little money he has to stay in the city over the next few days. Holden meets with some former classmates and friends who have all matured; however, each encounter leaves him disappointed and frustrated with their behavior. It seems as though Holden only appreciates those who have a sense of innocence and generosity for other people.
The book was written from the point of view of Holden, so it's fairly simple to read. It accurately resembles a teenager's thoughts and diction. In all honesty, I found myself getting annoyed with the main character. He complained a lot and used the word "phonies" way too many times. The one thing I would change about the book is Holden's negative attitude toward most people. The end of the novel emphasized what he truly values, and I gained some respect for the character after that.
Emily Quezada
I read this book last year in Mr. Bacani's English 11 class. Personally, it was one of the novels that were on the better side of mandatory reading and there was some great meaning behind it. Basically as Holden is struggling to move into adulthood, he finds that life is very unfair and has many dark areas around it like the prostitute and the perverted teacher. His biggest dream is to save all the children from the loss of innocence they will eventually go through because he knows that it is very painful to go through. Eventually, he figures out that he has been using the word "phony" not only to cast out the fake people, but also anyone he does not like. Ultimately, it was him who was hurting himself instead of what has happened to him.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Catcher in the Rye, but your description of Holden makes me glad that I have not. Characters that complain about how terrible the world is, are no more interesting than you and I. I am going to start using the word phonies though.
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