Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a story that can make anyone smile. The main character, Holden Caulfied, is a troubled teen that is yet again, expelled from another haughty boarding school. Holden cannot find the motivation to succeed in school because he feels he does not have a purpose. Why apply yourself if you don’t know your place in life? Holden struggles with his inner-self, battling his own mind, and trying to understand his purpose in life as a teenage boy. Holden’s difficulty in comprehending his place in the world as a young boy is what makes this story unviversally relatable.

After Holden is asked to leave Pencey High School after winter break [expelled], Holden ditches school early to take a little “vacation” to New York City; he packs and leaves by train in the hopes of enjoying himself before returning home to his parent’s wrath. In the few days he spends in New York , he experiences the city’s nightlife through strippers, bars, and night clubs. In contrast, he also spends his free time by revisiting his childhood, reuniting himself with old friends and visiting sentimental places. Holden seems to have a lot of friends, although it is obvious he is not confident about friendships. Holden degradingly numbers off girls throughout the story and therefore his character becomes bothersome. However most of the time it is very easy to sympathize for Holden as he is in deep distress, and he feels that he is surrounded by a bunch of “phonies”. No matter who he associates himself with, whether it is an old friend or a stripper, he feels out of place. The more Holden observes and aquaints himself with humankind in New York City, the more he realizes he is different, and the more he feel like he is without purpose. His inner-struggles and battling of the mind eventually peaks causing for a catchy ending. However, the author does not fill the ending with detail and it can be very frusterating.

Over all, this book was easy to relate to, it was funny, and i
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