CATCHER IN THE RYE JOURNAL 1

Andrew Beck Per. 7 9/5/98 Mr.Luizzi

Salinger's "Catcher In The Rye" is truly a remarkable piece of American literature. It contains so much of our own feelings that almost all the readers can identify with the main protagonist Holden. It evident that the main theme in the novel is about "fitting in" and "growing up". It seems as though Holden is caught between two things, his childhood and adolescence, Since Holden has been in a boarding school most of his life, he has been isolated from the outside world. This seclusion from society has prevented Holden from developing any sense of his place in society. Now that he is alone and thrown out into the real world so quickly he hasn't had the chance to do what other kids his age did-grow into a niche. Because Holden is missing such a vital part in the tightly knit community that he is part of he finds it difficult to fit in. Being clueless in socializing Holden tries to learn how. For example when he goes to Ernie's he listens to other couples talking, listening and trying to decipher their chit chat. Later, wanting to feel adult-like he orders a prostitute but then finds out he can't take it and then just wants to talk. Holden also is very inexperienced and thinks he knows more than he does. This is evident in the constant scrutiny of others, mainly that they possess"phony" qualities. Yet through all this Holden, though depressed, seems to gather happy memories of his family and childhood.