Why is it a Classic?

I believe that Catcher in the Rye is such a classic because of how relatable of character Holden Caulfield is. He is deals with what most teenagers deal with, loneliness, depression, and exclusion. Though he has the capacity to do great things, he chooses not to for a variety of reasons. I think that Holden is someone that most people understand. His snarky attitude and sardonic humor make the mundane activities in the book seem more exciting. 

Another thing that make's him seem more human is the way he speaks. He does the same thing that most people do, reuses statements again and again. For example: It kills me, phony, i'm a madman, no kidding, lousy, corny... and those are just some examples. It makes him seem like an actual person, and not a snob nosed author that has a better vocabulary than a high school english professor. This combined with his real life issues make for a compelling character. 

And that's why I say this book is a classic, because of the character Holden Caulfield. Certainly not for the compelling story, or lack thereof. 

Now if you excuse me I have to go kill John Lennon. 

Catcher in the Rye: Part 5

After weeks of reading I have done what most people would consider impossible... I have finished my summer reading assignments. In the final stretch of my journey...

• Holden got creeped out by Mr. Antolini and left their house
• He went to the bus station and dreamed about running away
• He told Phoebe he was running away
• Phoebe wanted to come
• They went on a carousel then went home

THE END

In the book Delirium the two main characters spend about half the book discussing running away, and in this section that's basically all Holden talks about. He even does the same thing they did in Delirium where he comes up with this ridiculous fantasy, one that could never really happen because it just seems too perfect. Holden wants a cabin in the woods where he could be a deaf mute, and they wanted to raise a family in like a nudist colony or something... it's been awhile since I read it.

I personally connected to the story between Phoebe and Holden. It reminded me of my brothers and I. The way he wanted to take care of her, but she was being a brat. Yeah. I was/am a brat. I feel like that's how it s in most families, so I don't really beat myself up about it. 

Anywho this is the 5th section. Expect my explanation as to why I think this book is a classic in just a short time....

Catcher in the Rye: Part 4

I'm running low on text to text connections. I can only pray that I have enough to last me these final few days. Very little has happened, and whatever has happened is inconsequential.

• Holden met with Sally and discussed running away
• He saw a "heart wrenching" story
• He met up with a guy named Luce and got smashed
• He snuck into his house and talked with his sister.

Alright so the thing that appeared as a common theme in this section and in many other books is sibling love. This was going to be the part where I listed a ton of books about sibling love, but when I googled it, half the articles were about twincest. So I'm just going to give one example, Hunger Games. Though most of that book is about either violence or teen love, it always relates back to how Katniss is doing this for her sister in the end. It's a theme that stays with each book in the series. The love Katniss feels for Prim is similar to the love Holden feels for Phoebe, or even Allie... 

In this section I didn't relate with Holden as much as I did with Sally. Mostly because I have a friend who has tried to convince me to run away as well, and in the situation I had to be the voice of reason, just like Sally. 

One more section to go and only a day to do it. I only hope I can make it to the end of this treacherous journey. 

Catcher in the Rye: Part 3

120 pages in... It is too far to turn back. I'm hoping I can survive the few days I have left in this barren wasteland of a novel. My only hope for survival is to ration my resources...

• Holden asked his third cabby if they knew where the ducks went.
• He went to a nightclub and met his brothers old girlfriend.
• Then he went to a hotel and almost slept with a prostitute, but got beaten up instead.
• He gave some nuns a few bucks.
• And now he is in the process of meeting up with a girl named Sally.

In this section it started to become apparent that Salinger has a very straightforward writing style that has little to no descriptive adjectives. You'll be reading it, and thinking that nothing has happened, then all of a sudden you have to give a brief summary to someone and you're like, "Whoa, s*** went down in this section yo!" But really nothing super important has happened yet and probably never will... Another author who has an extremely straightforward writing style is Hemingway.

I mostly connected with the part where Holden saw his brothers ex. I connected because I have definitely done that thing where if someone asks you to sit with them you pretend like you're leaving to avoid awkward conversation.

I'm hoping my last 94 pages won't kill me. If I don't post back soon, assume the worst. 

Catcher in the Rye: Part 2

Alright i'm pretty far in my journey and I don't feel the need to kill a famous pop culture icon... yet...

• Holden left Pencey Prep early.
• He took a cab to a sketchy hotel, and danced with a bunch of older women because he was bored and he didn't have anyone to call.
• He reminisced on the fun times he and Jane used to have. 

And parts about this section really reminded me of The Outsiders. Like when Holden was standing in a phone booth with no one to call, even though he really wanted to call Jane or his sister, but he couldn't... It was similiar to the feelings Ponyboy and Johnny had when they ran away. Both felt alone and outcasted, but neither could reach out to the people who loved them. Salinger also writes with the same casual demeanor as Hinton.

However, the part where I related most was probably when Holden met Ernie's mother on the bus. He just sat there and fed her total B.S. about Pencey, her son, and a bunch of other stuff. All I could think about was how many times I have fed parent crap about their kids in my high school life. Or how many lies I've told a complete stranger just because I could....

My journey so far has been uneventful. With less than a week to go I'm hoping things will heat up soon. l'll keep you updated...

Catcher in the Rye: Part 1

I decided to read Catcher in the Rye. It may be a long journey, about 10 days to be exact.

40 pages in and I have witnessed the following events:

• Holden got kicked out and visited one of his teachers.
• He went back to his room and got annoyed by "Ackley Kid"
• He watched Stradlater get ready for his date with Jane, a girl that Holden knows from his days before Pencey. 

But of course I'm leaving out all the bitter angst that Holden narrates with. In fact this book is so filled with angst I'm going to compare it to the only book I have ever read that has topped it, Twilight. Now let me just say that I much prefer Salingers story, but when it comes to narrators who are bitter at a world that hasn't really done anything to them, these two books are the first things that come to mind. Except Holden chooses to channel his into an angry and bitter form of sarcasm, whereas Bella chooses the route of rebellious lust.

Neither book really has much of a story (yet) most of the pages are filled with wandering minds and, in the case of Holden, crazy rants. Which is where I really connected with Holden. We both seem to have this nasty habit of tuning people out when we don't want to talk to them, and for both of us it turns into an inner monologue that denounces many random things that people say or do. My favorite example from the book (that I could definitely connect with) was when Ackley was in his room and Ackley would not take the hint to leave. 

I'm hoping to experience much more while I continue to read. For now I must rest, I will be back in the morning with the continuation of my experience.