The Catcher in the Rye Summary
The Catcher in the Rye - SummaryCatcher in the Rye
1.) The novel, “The Catcher in the Rye,” was narrated by its’ main character, Holden Caulfield. Caulfield is a sixteen-year-old boy recuperating in a rest home due to his nervous breakdown after suffering from a psychological meltdown in New York City. During his life he had attended many prep schools and at the time of his nervous breakdown he was currently enrolled at Pencey Prep. He did decide to leave the school after being expelled from it because of his academic failure. While he is in New York before returning to live with his parents in their Manhattan apartment, he experiences deep feelings of loneliness and desperation and is haunted by the death of his younger brother, Allie. He also finds himself in a bind and his life upside down due to his sexuality. He longs to see his sister, Phoebe, and his old girlfriend, Jane Gallagher. He finally goes home to talk to Phoebe and borrow money from her, only to go away again and live with his English teacher, Mr. Antolini. He then experiences the worst phase of his breakdown and tries to hitchhike out of New York. Holden then goes home, is sent away to the rest home, and attends a new school during the next year.
2.) There are five main characters that play a significant role in Holden’s life. Allie was his younger brother who died of leukemia. Holden believed that he was the smartest of the Califields and is now haunted by his death. His best traits were that he was brilliant and friendly. Then there is Phoebe, Holden’s sister. She is six years younger and is neat, intelligent, and a fabulous dancer. Holden loves her dearly and feels comfortable talking to her because she is one of the only happy things that he holds in his life throughout the novel. Another important character in the story is Jane Gallagher, Holden’s former girlfriend who is currently dating his friend, Stadlater. She is important to Holden because she is one of the few people that understand and care about him. She is also the only person he feels comfortable talking about Allie’s death with. D.B. is also an important figure in the story. He is Holden’s brother and also a writer. He wrote stories that Holden admired before he became a sellout. D.B. was attracted to the money and now has everything he wants. He drives a nice Jaguar and dates movie stars. Holden however, does not see him the way he used to because he sold out to the movie industry. Finally, Mr. Antolini is the last of the five. He was Holden’s former English teacher from Elkton Hills School and who now teaches at New York University. He is clever,...
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