The Catcher in the Rye

The novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger reveals many values and attitudes of this author. It is written in first person from the perspective of the main character, Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old boy who sometimes finds himself in tricky situations. He has been kicked out of many schools, and is being kicked out from his current school Pency. Holden is in no way a trouble maker; he just does not try in school, and therefore gets horrible grades. It is during this time that the story is being told, so the reader definitely learns Holden's view on life. He is not a mean spirited kind of boy, but he seems very abrupt. At first, it is very believable that Holden may be slightly illiterate. He may even come off as stupid. As the story goes on, though, the reader realizes that the book is simply written exactly how Holden would say it. It is as if Holden were speaking directly to the reader in a conversation. This kind of writing helps the reader understand that Holden says exactly what he is thinking, feeling, and meaning. There is not a time when he is unsure or faking something. I think that J.D Salinger values honestly because that is all Holden Caulfield is. He is completely honest and straightforward. I can not imagine an author writing an entire story in the perspective of someone that he did not agree with. Holden has a little bit of a negative attitude, but not outwardly negative. I think he is a little quick to judge people sometimes, and since the reader is exposed to his thoughts then everything there. None of his feelings or opinions are hidden. It is not necessarily a bad thing that Holden is negative; maybe J.D Salinger felt like the negativity would make this character more believable as a teenage boy. It was probably a goal of his to project that angst as accurately as possible.