9.How does "The Catcher in the Rye" relate to its Time Period?

Throughout the novel Catcher in the Rye, I believe that it relates to its time period because not only was the book published around the 1950's but from the 1940's there were many moments in the book that influenced some scenes to that specific time period. One of the more obvious relations is the fact that the book is written during the post-World War II. Throughout the novel, Holden talks about the war and the many effect it's had on his brother D.B. with a slightly detached air. Holden also mentions the Atomic bomb during the novel which is a very known historical event that took place during that time period. The atomic bomb was one of the most shocking and known events that happened during World War II, which was when the U.S. busted out in August of 1945, four to five years earlier than Holden's narration. You can see the dropping of the bomb as a sort of a nation-wide "loss of innocence" if you were so inclined. The novel Catcher in the Rye, had many events, such as the ones I have mentioned, that relates itself to the time period that it was written in. I was content with the details of the post War that the author decided to add in, I think it added a lot of interest and history towards the book.

What effect does this book have on me? Does it excite me, confuse me, bore me? If so, why?

The novel The Catcher in the Rye had quite a strong message and I found it to teach me some important life lessons, however I found the book quite underwhelming. I found Holden to be a spoiled child whom needed to stop feeling sorry for himself and deal with the world around him. Holden lived in a wealthy family his entire life. Through having a privileged existence he is casually able to be a smug brat and criticise those who don’t meet his standards of social duty. As an inclusive sixteen year old, Holden doesn’t know much about the world around him, but he acts as though he knows everything about life. Today society’s role models tend to be those who are working hard for themselves rather than phonies causing problems. Perhaps I would have more respect for Holden, therein having a more open opinion on the story, in the 1950’s. Aside from the frustrating actions of Holden, the writing itself was quite interesting with the usage of repeated phrases like “kind of” and the constant use of the passive voice. Overall the novel has been adored by many, but personally the hypocritical actions of Holden Caulfield were too displeasing for me.

What is this book saying about life?

The Catcher in the Rye is a Bildungsroman novel, so the main purpose is a young boy going through the phases to become a man. The story shows the struggles that come with growing up, that it is not easy, but it is inevitable and it must be dealt with. Holden spends his day critiquing the people around him calling them “stupid” or “phonies”, but then proceeds to make conversation and act as though they’re the best of friends. The book tells the reader that the world is full of phonies, a point that Holden makes very clear, but recognizing the fact that there are phonies doesn’t make you any less of one. The harsh fact of life is that you do not always get what you want.

“What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff – I mean if they’re running and don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.” (224-225)

If Holden could be one thing he would want to preserve children’s innocence, save them from the cliff which symbolizes adulthood. What Holden has to learn is that it is not his responsibility to save children from growing up and he needs to accept the fact the growing up is impossible to stop.

What part of life do you understand better, or see differently after reading the book?

Since the book follows the struggles of an adolescent teenager there are many components which I can relate with, but there are many differences between Holden and the average teenager of today. The first major difference is the difference in time, Holden was a teenager in the 1950’s which I now understand is much different than a teenager in 2014. It’s interesting to see the experiences of a teenager without the influence of social media affecting them. It was much more difficult to keep close relationships with people whom you don’t see on a daily basis, and in Holden’s case the only person that he kept a strong bond with was his sister Phoebe. For a teenager to be expelled in 2014 their parents would have be notified immediately, whether by email or phone. Holden’s headmaster at Pency prep stated that he would call Holden’s family, but seemingly he did not. Another way technology did not affect Holden is the way it has affected teens today is the use of the computer. The computer could either been an extreme asset or a major liability in terms of Holden’s work habits. In the story Holden does not fully apply himself in his studies, so the computer would either make work easier, therefore more appealing, or it would be a major distraction like it is with many teenagers today.

The Catcher in the Rye vs. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

There are many parallels in the stories the Catcher in the Rye and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The similarities fall into both literal and symbolic categories. The two stories both follow the travels of a young boy on the path to discover his identity. Huckleberry is trying to unveil his morals through finding his purpose and identity. In comparison Holden is trying to reveal his maturity and manhood, whether he knows it or not. Both of the boys' stories begin with them running away. Huckleberry runs away so that he can escape the abuse from his father, while Holden Runs away because he was kicked out of boarding school, he does not want to return to his mother and father, and he wants to experience the adult world. Each story has unique and influential resolutions. Huckleberry learns that true decisions come from ones heart, while Holden discovers that growing up may not be as terrible as he believes, then sought out for professional help.

10. What is the climax of the story?

The Climax of the story is when Holden is watching Phoebe on the carousel. This is when Holden solves his inner conflict of growing up. At this point Holden comes to terms with himself that growing might not be so bad after all. This conclusion shows a great deal maturity. Holden had been watching Phoebe on the carousel going around and around while grabbing for the gold ring. Holden was concerned for her safety, but realized that kids are going to do what they want to do and you can’t stop them. Some things are just better that way. What Holden may not have realized was that his idea about the gold ring fits with his idea on growing up. You can’t stop growing up and maybe things will all be okay. At this point Holden finally states that he is extremely happy, so happy in fact that he was “damn near bawling.” Holden then proceeds to watch Phoebe reaching at the ring thinking that things will turn out just fine.

9. What is the Holden of the present doing to solve his past conflicts?

In the final chapter Holden makes it clear that he is currently living at some sort of institution through sentences like, “[E]specially this one psychoanalyst guy they have here” and, “He drove over last Saturday with this English babe that’s in this new picture he’s writing.” Holden also admits to being sick, which, presumably, is mental illness since he is not in a hospital, which shows a great deal of maturity. The present version of Holden still shows some sign of judgemental traits when he refers to the psychoanalyst’s question as stupid, but another side of him shows a lot of growth because the so called “phonies” whom he would complain about before, he misses now that it’s over. “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” (277)