Summary

"The Catcher In The Rye," which was written by J.D. Salinger demonstrates the difficulties that comes with one who is not in sync with reality and maintains a lack of sense of self identity.  The story begins by introducing Holden, a teenager of the age 16, who is expelled from a number of schools because of his failing marks in every subject besides English.  Holden constantly goes through scenes where he tries to fulfil his sexual urges with many attempts to lose his virginity, however, he is quickly disturbed by the fact that people such as Stradlater and Jane do such things despite how little they know each other.  Early on, we find that Holden associates himself with alcohol, cursing, and smoking.  Even though he is an intelligent individual with money, two parents, and a successful older brother and sister, it turns out Holden deals with depression (by the loss of his younger brother, Allie) and represses it with being fixated into the bad habits he picked up.  Being away at a boarding school, Holden lacks the adult figures to guide him.  As much as other teachers try to help him (sort of), his sister Phoebe is the only person who legitimately understands and helps Holden the entire way.  Holden has a difficult time getting along with other people, especially those his age, due to the fact that he sees everyone in the world as "phonies".  We find that Holden judges everyone he meets, slightly tries to reach out to him or her, and ends up being disappointed when that person isn't there for him.  Throughout the story, he maintains a sense of pent up emotions and is afraid to let others see his sensitive side, but wants to be close with everyone.

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around -- nobody big, I mean -- except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff -- I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going. I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be." - Chapter 22