The Catcher in the Rye Group at eNotes

The novel discusses the complex nature of its protagonist, Holden...

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:03:14 PST

The novel discusses the complex nature of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield. The opening of the work takes place at Pencey Prep, the school where Holden attends, but has been thrown out due to low grades. Holden is wrapping up his time there, and in the last couple of days, which we have been given a glimpse, we understand the nature of both Pencey Prep and Holden, himself. Holden detests the school as he sees it as not "a finishing...

Provide the summary for the book in easy words.

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:57:20 PST

Provide the summary for the book in easy words.

How is Holden Caulfield presented as both a strong and a weak character...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:02:15 PST

How is Holden Caulfield presented as both a strong and a weak character in J D Slainger's novel 'Catcher In The Rye?' A topic sentence like this would allow you to explore the ways in which Holden still clings on to the things of his youth like a security blanket, as he stands on the verge of manhood and contemplates taking on board the idea of standing on his own two feet and paying his own way in the adult world with all that might entail....

I think that you will need different moments where Holden's "childish"...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:00:07 PST

I think that you will need different moments where Holden's "childish" tendencies could be contrasted with the actions of adults. I think that pointing out Holden's inability to deal with "phonies" could be one such instance. Holden cannot find the internal strength to be able to work through situations where adults are behaving in duplicitous manners. An instance where an adult might differ from Holden would lie in being able to deal...

I have to come up with another topic sentence for my essay on The...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:21:24 PST

I have to come up with another topic sentence for my essay on The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I need help!! Please!

It will definitely help to break this question down. First, deal with...

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:14:25 PST

It will definitely help to break this question down. First, deal with "chaos". Chaos is a lack of order/predictability. At what points in the book does Holden's world seem to be spinning out of control? At what points does he get blindsided by things he could not have predicted? Next, "corruption". I'm guessing moral (vs. physical) corruption is the focus here. When does Holden experience things that lead to a loss of innocence? ...

Provides quotes about chaos and corruption, positive influential...

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:15:26 PST

Provides quotes about chaos and corruption, positive influential characters and theme of love in The Catcher in the Rye??

Holden mentions consistently throughout the story that what he hates the...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:40:32 PST

Holden mentions consistently throughout the story that what he hates the most, in general, is (quote) "phony people". On that list many will fall such as girls, jocks, his older brother, among others. Holden's anger cannot be pinned down to a list of specific people he dislikes. His therapeutic relief stems from placing blame on other's for getting on with their lives whether they are good or not. Phonyness is what he hates first and foremost.

Who does Holden dislike in The Catcher in the Rye?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:19:40 PST

Who does Holden dislike in The Catcher in the Rye?

Is there any comparison to the novel Jude by Kate Morgenroth to The...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:19:30 PST

Is there any comparison to the novel Jude by Kate Morgenroth to The Catcher in the Rye?

You're asking a lot in this question, and I'm not sure if I'm clear what...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:25:42 PST

You're asking a lot in this question, and I'm not sure if I'm clear what you're asking. I'll do my best to get your started with your answer. I'm not sure which characters you need to compare and contrast, but I would choose the main character, Holden, and his roommate, Stradlater. Both are young men at prepatory schools, possibly from well-to-do families. This is most likely where their similarities end. Stralater is good-looking,...

Compare and contrast themes, characterizations and characters in The...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:33:05 PST

Compare and contrast themes, characterizations and characters in The Catcher in the Rye and give quotes and examples.

Provide Similarities and differences Between Catcher in they rye and A...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:29:13 PST

Provide Similarities and differences Between Catcher in they rye and A Thousand splendid suns and give Examples ?

The novel stars Holden Caulfield. It starts a little while before...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:31:17 PST

The novel stars Holden Caulfield. It starts a little while before Christmas vacation. Holden is kicked out of Pencey Prep school. He goes out alone in New York City. Holden’s story is a first person account, from a mental facility. Holden's story starts at the prep school which he describes as being "phony." The day of the Pencey football game is highlighted. Holden walks to his history teacher’s house, Mr. Spencer. The visit isn’t...

Provide the summary for The Catcher in the Rye.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:09:33 PST

Provide the summary for The Catcher in the Rye.

I really like the examples you gave....very thought-provoking. Very...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:11:16 PST

I really like the examples you gave....very thought-provoking. Very interesting that others accused F Scott Fitzgerald of the screenwriting 'come-down' too. I do think teens go through a stage though of blaming everyone inc family left,right and centre for everything from lost homework to getting up late - maybe Holden just never grew out of that stage!

I would add that Holden avoids the adult world by blaming others for...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:17:47 PST

I would add that Holden avoids the adult world by blaming others for his issues and trying to show others in a bad light. Such as accusing his brother of selling out to Hollywood when he chooses to be a screenwriter instead of some poor starving novelist. He isn’t a failure at the things he does; he’s a failure because the world is full of "phonies." He blames his relationship troubles on those around him such as accusing Jane of flirting...

A couple of ways in which Holden and childhood are related. Holden's...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:08:30 PST

A couple of ways in which Holden and childhood are related. Holden's distrust and inability to accept the realities of the adult world are similar to the ways of a child, who refuses to understand the differences between both realms. The notion of the title as Holden as acting as a "catcher in the rye" is similar to the parallels of how adults perceive children, and moreover, reflects a desire of how children wish to live in their own...

Ways in which Holden Caulfield escapes from the adult world

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:04:11 PST

In Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield often seems as if he's on the cusp of childhood as it starts to become adulthood with all that entails. It's almost as if he doesn't want to 'cross the line' of some sort of rite of passage. He seems to want to keep escaping back into the world of childhood - for example in finding excuses to talk about early flashbacks. Does anyone else notice this or have anything to add to the ways in which Holden...

Holden's date with Sally is pretty much a disaster. She arrives at the...

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:53:07 PST

Holden's date with Sally is pretty much a disaster. She arrives at the hotel ten minutes late, and acts as if she is delighted to see Holden, but in reality she is very fake. On the way to the show Holden is taking her to see, the two "(horse) around a little bit in the cab", even though at first Sally does not want to because she will mess up her makeup. As they "(come) out of this big clinch", Holden tells Sally he loves her, and she...