Blog #31: The Catcher in the Rye

Oh, my, gosh! This is the beginning of the end! I will now begin to write blogs about the third and final book of my summer English 332 reading career- The Catcher in the Rye. First of all I would like to say that this was by far my favorite of the summer reading novels, but on to question number one- What does the writing reveal about the author's values and attitudes? From what perspective does he or she write? This novel is written in first person from the point of view of Holden Caulfield. The author, J.D. Salinger, uses both thoughts and feelings to tell Holden's story. I think that this chosen narrator type was really good for the story line because it was good to know about Holden's thoughts about his expulsion from Pencey Academy. The author used a really good narrator for this book in my eyes. I think that the J.D. Salinger really made it apparent that he does not like the way people are about movies and live performances. He really used Holden to show that the movies and plays do not appeal to him. I think that this is probably the way that a lot of authors feel because they would rather people be reading book in their spare time and not spending so much time going to the movies and even getting ready to go to the movies. I think that the author is probably not a very religious guy because of the crude language that he uses in his writing, but I thought it was kind of ironic that he talked about becoming a member of the Catholic monastery without being Catholic. In chapter seven Holden says to Ackley, "Listen. What's the routine on joining a monastery?"..."Do you have to be Catholic and all?" (Salinger 65) I think the two words at the end of this quote really stood out to me. "And all?" This obviously reveals that Holden has absolutely no idea what is involved in practicing the Catholic faith. Ackley and Holden then get into an argument over Ackley's religion and whether or not Holden was "making cracks" about Ackley's Catholic faith. I think that the writing reveals that J.D. Salinger does not practice a strong faith and his morals may not be up to par.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Back Bay, 2001. Print.