Weirdo book that reminded me of my self in high school minus the alcohol, smoking, promiscuity and failing school. Mostly because I isolated myself from most other high schoolers due to my hatred of anything phony.
last night over poached pears I was made aware that this book has something to do with terrorism.
Why? Well I'm no authority, but I think it's stems from the title. Holden's dream job is to act as a catcher in the rye - grabbing kids before they fall off a cliff while they are running in rye fields. He feels sorry for outcasts and becomes extremely angry when he finds vulgar vandalism in his sisters elementary school. He hates movies, especially ones about war. He drops out of school because the headmaster is a phony - only giving attention to those who are rich. Basically, he refuses to "play the game" or "jump through hoops" as some would say. Although all of his actions in the book are driven by hatred for selfish "phony" ways of the world, he is somewhat of a hypocrite as his self righteous decisions cause harm to others (especially his family). Although Holden frequently verbalizes that he is a nut job, I think it is his manic thought process - his self righteous hatred for the natural man that leads him to anger, fighting, running away, alcohol, lonliness, and promiscuity - that links the book to terrorists.
But I don't really know. Anyone read this book that has more insight? What do you think about the book? Would you let your high-schooler read it? I learned a lot from the book - but I don't know what I would have thought had I read this in high school.
5 comments:
I loved Catcher in the Rye. I read the book a few years ago in like 2 hours.
I honestly don't know how I went through high school or college without reading that book.
I would've loved that book in HS, but it may have inspired me to go follow Greatful Dead or run off to NYC on my own or something like that. Now, that would've been awesome for my parents.
Ummm, I don't think I have any comments except that maybe you are a little lonely in your thoughts alone poaching pears--=--- hmmm...?
yeah, pretty lonely in my thoughts. i can't believe you read it so fast joy! pretty sure teh buhlers got lucky with perfect kiddos - except maybe steven sometimes (:
My best friend in high school loaned me this book and I never got it back to him. Not because I loved it, mind you, but because he fell in love with my other best friend and la de da...anyway...I thought the book was basically along your thought process. I think Holden is selfish and miserable and I have known one too many people that remind me of him. I really aught to get his copy back to him, it was his favorite book...
you'll have to tell the story sometimes......ha......sounds like you are saying your best friend was selfish/miserable.....no?
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