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Analysis Of The Book ' The Catcher Of The Rye '

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Title: The Catcher in the Rye

1. Significance of the title: Throughout the book we see Holden retreat into his head and imagination multiple times instead of dealing with the real world. When asked what he wants to do with his life he gives the title of a job he had wanted as a kid, to catch the people running through a rye field before they fell off the weird cliff it was on. He used to have dreams about doing this and protecting people. He has a very naïve view on the world and it shows though this title.

2. Genre: This book is realistic fiction

3. Date of original publication: July 1951

4. Author: J. D. Salinger

5. Setting: The story takes place over a couple of days in late 1940’s, before Christmas. It starts out in
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It had been a bad day and the rest of the trip made his already fragile mental state burst. Holden has a very childish mind and naïve view on the world, in attempts to grow up he meets with a girl named Sunny before it becomes clear he can’t do intimate relationships. Then he goes on a date with Sally, where he tries to get her to run away with him, proving he can’t do casual friendships either. After that he attempts to stay at a teachers house, Mr. Antolini, but as he begins become suspicious of his hosts actions, it’s made known that Holden cant interact with adults either. Holden finally meets with his younger sister Phoebe who he cares for very much and vice versa. She stays with him the entire day, skipping school to make sure he was okay. With her, Holden stops trying to grow up and reverts back to his childlike behavior. Then, back in the present day, Holden admits to being in intense psychotherapy and is being released soon, but wanted to share the wisdom he gained.

8. Point of view: The story is in first person, told through the eyes of our main character Holden Caulfield. He describes the things around him and people he meets as he goes throughout the story.

9. Style (a) Characterize the author’s diction. This piece is written very informally, as many first person POV stories are, the narrator talking casually to the reader like a friend. It is a mix of simplistic
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