Catcher in the Rye

For a child, becoming older is so exciting. Children, tweens, teens, all desire becoming older. It has such an impact on the way our life works. I can say for myself that most of the time, I mingle with kids my age, instead of reaching out to all ages. One of the first things commonly said when you meet someone is "How old are you?". Adults, (seem to) look at things differently though. I mean, when's the last time you've seen your parents meet someone and they ask how old that person is. It's not usual for my parents. On top of that, my mother has told me never to ask an adult how old they are, because it's rude. I feel like age is so important in the beautifully written "Cather in the Rye". Along with age, comes becoming a more responsible and mature person. But I think that the time when you do become an adult, is different for everyone. Right now, is a time to be free, and immature though, you have to know yourself when it's time to stop.

The story begins with seventeen-year-old Holden Caulfield jumping right in. He's got a lot of attitude, speaks his mind and he doesn't seem like a "typical" character. That's something I like about him. The fact that the beginning of this story wasn't cliche. There's nothing worse than a cliche story. He starts talking about "this madman stuff" that happened to him "around last Christmas." His story begins on a December Saturday at Pencey Prep School in Pennsylvania, where he's just been kicked out for failing all his classes except English. Turns out, this has happened to Holden in the past numerous times.

In my opinion Mr.Spencer is one of the characters that influences Holden the most, and even though he isn't an active part of Holden's life, I feel like he left a good mark on Holden. We are introduced to Mr.Spencer in the middle of Chapter 2. He's old and wrinkly, and everything about his room seems to bother Holden. But Mr.Spencer seems to really care about Holden, and Holden seems to feel the same. I mean, Mr.Spencer is the only teacher that he goes back to see, despite the fact that he hates Mr.Spencers room, he's old and "annyoing", and "he talks too much". I really love the conversation that they have, though, it was so much stronger than a "Goodby, Farewell, Adios" type of thing. Mr.Spencer asks Holden

"Do you feel absolutely no concern for your future, boy?" (and Holden replies)

"Oh, I feel some concern for my future. Sure I do. Sure."

(Mr.Spencer) "You will. You will, boy, when it's too late."

I don't know why that stood out to me so much. It just, seems so, I don't know important. It seems like he cares. He's telling him in secrecy, that Holden needs to be more concerned and interested in his future. Another part of the conversation that I really love is:

"I'd like to see you put some sense into that head of yours' boy. I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to help you if I can."

"Look sir, don't worry about me," I said. "I mean it. I'll be alright. I'm just going through a phase right now. Everybody goes through phases and all, don't they?"

This quote stand out too, because it shows that he knows that this is not an adulty manner. He knows that he has to change, or at least knows that he's going through a phase. He's becoming of age. He's becoming of age, but slowly, you've got a lot to learn before you can "become of age" and end up as an adult.

Holden has internal conflicts. And I think that's mostly because he's struggling to find himself. He got kicked out of his school, his brother Allie died, and his other brother D.B. is (unlike him) very successful. These things most likely factor into why he can't find himself. It's his surroundings that keeps him from finding himself. He believes that there is no one that's good for him and he considers almost every person he sees a "phony". I don't think that he has problems with the way he looks, but I feel like he is trying to prove something to someone by drinking and smoking, etc. All in all, his problems aren't that severe. I mean, doesn't everyone have some problems?

In my opinion, this story is amazingly crafted and very well written, and everything seems to fall into "place" at the right time. So far, this book has been interesting, as I can only remember one time thinking to myself that I was bored. I can't wait to continue the journey with Holden.

-Keiame Lee-Chong 813