His critiques are glib and without much substance, such as his insistence that others are “phonies” and his dislike of certain phrases such as “good luck.” He may be right in his critique, realizing that social relations and language are very often inauthentic, but his level of alienation has been taken to the extreme of making him unfit for regular human society. Women and Sex. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. We start out with some attitude: "If you really want to hear about it." Salinger’s 1951 novel of post-war alienation told by angst-ridden teen Holden Caulfield. Search. As Holden and Mr. Spencer continue to talk, Holden’s mind wanders to the ducks in Central Park. "The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide."

Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of The Catcher in the Rye and what it means. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC.

The first literary device Salinger uses in "Catcher in the Rye" is allusion. He admits that he cannot concentrate on any particular topic, thinking about ice skating while Mr. Spencer lectures him.As established in the previous chapter, Holden exemplifies the typical teenage feeling of alienation. July 28, 2016. In appearance he is an adult, with his tall stature and prematurely graying hair, yet as he and others around him realize, he is still quite immature.Holden’s behavior is not typical and excusable adolescent behavior, and Mr. Spencer shatters his ideal of authenticity by dismissing Holden’s vague justifications for his behavior and by confronting him with his failures. Copyright © 2020. Skip to primary content.

The fascination that Holden has for...The Catcher in the Rye study guide contains a biography of J.D. Key Facts; Summary; Audio. Holden tries to be polite; however, Spencer's scolding tone annoys ... Read More: Chapter 3

in Ackley’s room, Ackley is so unpleasant that Holden cannot relax.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger Plot Summary | LitCharts. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university.
What Holden does not yet realize, however, is that Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In Chapter 2, Salinger continues to develop the history of Holden Caulfield.

Holden’s diatribes against phonies are particularly instructive, but he does not always practice what he preaches; although he insists upon authenticity, he humors and flatters Mr. Spencer by agreeing with him. Alienation and Meltdown.
Get free homework help on J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. Salinger has his protagonist begin The Catcher in the Rye with a bold and sarcastic declaration. Within the first several paragraphs he dismisses his parents as “touchy” and his brother as a sellout to Hollywood consumerism, yet he provides no good examples of their behavior. he carries his torment with him, inside himself.SparkNotes is brought to you by Barnes & Noble. Holden's primary interest shifts from Jane Gallagher to his sister, Phoebe.

It is not his full life story, but this recent history is perhaps the most telling part of his life so far.

He mentions the particular quality of the headmaster, Nevertheless, a reader might pick up on Salinger’s use of the conventions of a cautionary tale; there is something human about his experience that may well teach us something about not living badly. The Catcher in the Rye a novel by J.D Salinger.

With the exception of Mr. Spencer and, to some degree, Selma Thurmer, Holden displays contempt for every character he mentions and the actions they undertake. Holden is in many ways a typical teenager, skeptical of all authority and having a truculent attitude that stems from cynicism and naïveté. What's the difference between a good lawyer and a bad one? Find the quotes you need in J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, sortable by theme, character, or chapter.

Holden finds Spencer’s house somewhat depressing, smelling of Vicks Nose Drops and clearly underscoring the old age of its inhabitants.