Narrative Essay On The Catcher In The Rye

The book, “The Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger, showcases what life was like after the end of World War II. It shows how happy people were and that they wanted better lives after dealing with the harsh times of war. It demonstrates that people had a lot more money after an economic boom and that many had strong feelings against war. It also conveys the freedom that teenagers at this time had. Salinger does an excellent job of showing these aspects through Holden’s story. The book begins a few years after the end of World War II. It is about Holden Caulfield, a seventeen year old boy who has just been kicked out of his fourth school: “This is about the fourth school that I’ve gone to,” (13). He decides to leave school early and spend a few days in New York, avoiding his parents because they don’t know he has been kicked out again: “So what I decided to do, I decided I’d take a room in a hotel in New York - some very …show more content…
God could that dopey girl dance,” (93). He also calls up a girl named Sally and asks her to go out on a date with him. The two go see a show that “wasn’t as bad as some I’ve seen,” (163). Throughout the story, you learn a lot about Holden’s life at home. His parents are “quite touchy” (1). Holden’s older brother, D.B. “went out to Hollywood and prostituted himself,” (104). Holden had another brother, Allie, who passed away a few years ago: “He’s dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946,” (49). He thinks highly of Allie: “But it wasn’t just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He also was the nicest,” (50). Holden also has a younger sister named Phoebe, who he absolutely adores: “I damn near gave my kid sister Phoebe a buzz, though. I certainly felt like talking to her on the phone,” (87). Near the end of the story, he goes and visits Phoebe: “I figured I’d better sneak home and see her,” (203). The two talk and eventually, he leaves because his parents arrived at