The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger follows 16-year-old Holden Caulfield after he has been expelled from his fourth school, Pencey Prep. The story is narrated by Holden from an unknown point in time in the future. Over the course of a few days in New York City, Holden interacts with his former teachers and other acquaintances. Key themes in the novel include Holden's disillusionment with the loss of innocence as people grow up and his view that most people are "phony." Holden struggles with his own identity and mental state as he tries to make sense of the world.

1. The Catcher in the
RyeJ. D. Salinger
Book report by
Antoaneta Nikolova

2. Plot SummaryThe Catcher in the Rye is set around the
1950s and is narrated by a young man
named Holden Caulfield. The events he
narrates take place when Holden is
sixteen years old. He is not specific
about his location while he’s telling the
story. Holden has failed out of three
schools and Pencey is his fourth. There
he has failed four out of five of his
classes and has received notice that he is
being expelled, but he is not scheduled to
return home to Manhattan until
Wednesday. Holden leaves school two
days early to explore New York before
returning home, interacting with
teachers, prostitutes, nuns, an old
girlfriend, and his sister along the way.

3. Themes
Loss of Innocence- Holden cannot bear to accept the death
of Allie, the death of pure innocence that had no good reason
to suffer or die. In Holden's eyes, Allie is truth, while
everyone else is “phony.”
Phoniness vs. Authenticity -Holden labels almost
everyone a “phony,” excepting Phoebe, Allie, and himself. In
Holden's eyes, a “phony” is someone who tries to make
something out of nothing—that is, just about everyone who
studies in school. All Holden wants is some authentic living
who knows nothing of the world’s superficiality.

4. Themes
Lack of Authority Figures - Holden is profoundly alone. His
parents are absent except for insisting that he progress and
stay in school as long as he can. His parents do not let him
regroup but send him off to the next school. At
Pencey, Holden finds no adult to trust with his feelings.
Overall, Holden views adults with disappointment.
Life and Death - A key part of Holden’s emotional life
involves his reaction to Allie’s death. People live for a
while, but all too soon we all die. Allie did not choose it, but
Holden thinks James Castle, a boy who jumped out the window
at school and fell to his death. Holden himself entertains
thoughts of a similar suicide.It is a decision, however, that
remains impossible for Holden.

5. Conflicts
Holden vs Himself - Holden has a difficult time dealing with
everyday life. His thoughts almost seem to be working against him
because he cannot cope with reality. He feels it is necessary to
accuse everyone and everything he comes across as being phony. By
doing this, he is distracting himself from his own flaws. As a prisoner
in his own mind, Holden is also becoming less capable to cope with life
and the transition into adulthood.
Holden vs Society - Holden is unable to relate to other characters
in the novel. Phoebe seems to be the only person that Holden feels
he can relate with, this may be because she is still young and has yet
to enter the adult world. Holden wants to hold on to his
childhood, yet he tries to fit in as part of the adult world. He
believes the this world is full of "phonies".

6. Personal opinion
From the start I knew that ‘’The Catcher in the Rye’’ wasn’t my
usual type of book. However I decided to give it a shot. I can’t say
I was completely disappointed nor was I impressed. Surprisingly I
managed to finish the book in two days. I think the reason for that
was the boredom I felt while reading it. So I just wanted it to end
sooner. Also the language that was used in the book didn’t quite fit
me. I was intrigued by what would have happened when Holden met
his parents. When that didn’t happen it flustered me.
Truly I felt like I could relate to the themes in the book. For
instance I found the relationship between Holden and his sister
compelling. I admit Phoebe is my favorite character in the book.
She is very intelligent for her age and that impressed me.
In conclusion I don’t regret I read it. It gave me an idea of a
classical book. I won’t recommend it to someone who wants an
exciting and breath-taking experience. On the other hand I would
suggest it to someone who is up to thinking and observing the world
around him.