I know that "The Catcher in the Rye" is a widely known book, but I had never taken read it, and I probably wouldn't have read this book if I were not in this class. I started to read this book because this is a "classic" and without any other reason. However, I was surprised that while this book caused me struggle to understand the behaviors and thoughts of the main character, Holden Caulfield, I really enjoyed reading this book.
Holden Caulfield is sixteen year old boy who has been expelled for academic failure from Pencey Prep. Holden had been expelled from other schools prior to his expulsion from Pencey. He decides to see elderly teachers and his friends to say goodbye before he leaves. Wednesday is the day he has to return to his home, and also is the date that Pencey students would return home for Christmas. Holden spends several days in NYC before going home. Having so many things to complain about, Holden often mentions how phony the people around him are in his story. At the age of sixteen, he smokes, drinks, and even buys a prostitute, and it might make the readers surprised or struggle to understand why on earth he is doing this. At least I did feel that way. I have thought that he is the one who is stupid and phony, not the people who he complains about. He is just falling in love with himself, that was my first thought. However, I was really surprised that the author eventually got me to sympathize with Holden.
As the story goes on, it got harder and harder to put the book down because this book let me step into the different world and I no longer feel any negative feelings about Holden, or the entire story. He sometimes demonstrates behaviors that are full of kindness, and I realize that he is someone who I can understand. I see Holden being very “human,”--not being someone who is considered a hero in many books and movies—and it makes him even more lovable by many people.
Holden Caulfield is sixteen year old boy who has been expelled for academic failure from Pencey Prep. Holden had been expelled from other schools prior to his expulsion from Pencey. He decides to see elderly teachers and his friends to say goodbye before he leaves. Wednesday is the day he has to return to his home, and also is the date that Pencey students would return home for Christmas. Holden spends several days in NYC before going home. Having so many things to complain about, Holden often mentions how phony the people around him are in his story. At the age of sixteen, he smokes, drinks, and even buys a prostitute, and it might make the readers surprised or struggle to understand why on earth he is doing this. At least I did feel that way. I have thought that he is the one who is stupid and phony, not the people who he complains about. He is just falling in love with himself, that was my first thought. However, I was really surprised that the author eventually got me to sympathize with Holden.
As the story goes on, it got harder and harder to put the book down because this book let me step into the different world and I no longer feel any negative feelings about Holden, or the entire story. He sometimes demonstrates behaviors that are full of kindness, and I realize that he is someone who I can understand. I see Holden being very “human,”--not being someone who is considered a hero in many books and movies—and it makes him even more lovable by many people.