Analysis Of Catcher In The Rye

Throughout the Catcher and the Rye, the story follows the main character, Holden, after his dismissal from Pencey Prep, journeying through New York City, and along the way giving a biased narrative. As the story goes on, Holden talks about his brother, Allie, who died of leukemia, his sex drive, his childhood friend Jane, and his love for his little sister, Phoebe. In Catcher and the Rye, Salinger portrays that inner needs and wants can affect people in negative ways, such as holding onto the past (Body 1), and making poor, impulsive decisions (Body 2). Holden, in the story, is known to be quick to judge people, especially when it happens to coincide with his past. When he is talking to his roommate Stradlater, after Stradlater went off on a date with Holden’s childhood friend, Jane, whom Holden has feelings for, “‘What’d you do?’ I said. ‘Give her the time in Ed Banky’s goddam car?’ My mouth was shaking with something awful. ‘What a thing to say. Want me to wash your mouth out with soap?’ ‘Did you?’ ‘That’s a professional secret, buddy.’ The next part I don’t remember so hot. All I know is I got up from the bed, like I was going down to the can or something, and then I tried to sock him” (Salinger 43). Holden has a desire from his childhood to be with Jane romantically, but now that he cannot do that, due to her being courted by Stradlater, Holden gets mad and tries to fight Stradlater. Holden should have outgrown Jane by now, considering it has been years since he has