The Catcher in the Rye Summary
The Catcher in the Rye Summary
Holden Caulfield, the narrator of The Catcher in the Rye, begins with an authoritative statement that he does not intend the novel to serve as his life story. Currently in psychiatric care, this teenager recalls what happened to him last Christmas. This story forms the basis for his narrative. At the beginning of his story, Holden is a student at Pencey Prep School, irresponsible and immature. Having been expelled for failing four out of his five classes, Holden goes to see Mr. Spencer, his history teacher, before he leaves Pencey. Mr. Spencer advises him that he must realize that “life is a game” and one should “play it according to the rules,” but the sixteen-year-old, who has already left four private schools, dismisses much of what Spencer says.
Holden returns to his dormitory, where he finds Robert Ackley, an obnoxious student with a terrible complexion who will not leave Holden alone, and Ward Stradlater, Holden’s roommate. Stradlater is conceited and arrogant, a “secret slob” who asks Holden to write an English composition for him. Stradlater prepares for a date with Jane Gallagher, a friend of Holden from several summers before, while Holden goes with Ackley and Mal Brossard into New York City to see a movie. When he returns, Holden writes the composition for Stradlater. It is about his brother’s baseball mitt. Holden relates that his brother Allie died of leukemia several years ago and states that he broke all of the windows in his garage out of anger on the night that Allie died.
When Stradlater returns, he becomes upset at Holden for writing what he thinks is a poor essay, so Holden responds by tearing up the composition. Holden asks about his date with Jane, and when Stradlater indicates that he might have had sex with her, Holden becomes enraged and tries to punch Stradlater, who quickly overpowers him and knocks him out. Soon after, Holden decides to leave Pencey that night and not to wait until Wednesday. He
Holden Caulfield, the narrator of The Catcher in the Rye, begins with an authoritative statement that he does not intend the novel to serve as his life story. Currently in psychiatric care, this teenager recalls what happened to him last Christmas. This story forms the basis for his narrative. At the beginning of his story, Holden is a student at Pencey Prep School, irresponsible and immature. Having been expelled for failing four out of his five classes, Holden goes to see Mr. Spencer, his history teacher, before he leaves Pencey. Mr. Spencer advises him that he must realize that “life is a game” and one should “play it according to the rules,” but the sixteen-year-old, who has already left four private schools, dismisses much of what Spencer says.
Holden returns to his dormitory, where he finds Robert Ackley, an obnoxious student with a terrible complexion who will not leave Holden alone, and Ward Stradlater, Holden’s roommate. Stradlater is conceited and arrogant, a “secret slob” who asks Holden to write an English composition for him. Stradlater prepares for a date with Jane Gallagher, a friend of Holden from several summers before, while Holden goes with Ackley and Mal Brossard into New York City to see a movie. When he returns, Holden writes the composition for Stradlater. It is about his brother’s baseball mitt. Holden relates that his brother Allie died of leukemia several years ago and states that he broke all of the windows in his garage out of anger on the night that Allie died.
When Stradlater returns, he becomes upset at Holden for writing what he thinks is a poor essay, so Holden responds by tearing up the composition. Holden asks about his date with Jane, and when Stradlater indicates that he might have had sex with her, Holden becomes enraged and tries to punch Stradlater, who quickly overpowers him and knocks him out. Soon after, Holden decides to leave Pencey that night and not to wait until Wednesday. He