Catcher in the Rye By: J. D. Salinger “You cannot open a book without learning something.” This Irish proverb is correct in meaning. As I read Catcher in the Rye, much learning took place. The story was easy to understand and explained realistic experiences that have taken place in my life. This book provided me with some knowledge of myself.
As Holden Caufield was telling the story, it reminded me of my past. I believe that I can truly relate to the narrator. The experiences he undergoes in school, were very similar to the time when I attended private school. I was close to everyone, but I did not like some of the people that I had acquainted with. I could not approach those classmates because I did not want to cause trouble. As a result, I dealt with the misery of talking to those that I disliked.
During this time, I was very judgmental towards others. Fortunately, I learned to judge others less and tolerate people’s flaws. Throughout the story I also learned about the environment and the people who made up society during that time period. The setting of the story and the setting of today does not completely differ. The people in those years were very similar to some of the people in today’s society. For instance, parents would be very disappointed if their child was expelled from school, but they usually always support the child no matter what circumstance.
Although Holden had already attended a couple of schools in a short period of time, his parents helped him and as a result, he was to start a new school at the end of the story. In the book, the world was a significant factor to the narrator. Without the world, he would not be able to live, nor be the person he is today. I learned that the world may be corrupt, but teaches us how to survive and how to succeed in life. Holden Caufield had to do this throughout the story. Whether he lied or told the truth, it was all for survival.
School Time Wanted Home
The day was coming, my feelings were getting nervous, scared, more like terrified. Mixed feelings were coming alive in me when I thought about going to school also how I felt about experiencing a new and different life. At the age of twelve my life was shifted. First day of school came walking onto the campus it was a whole different feeling than what I was used to. New and different faces turned ...
I realized that I had to do this as well. When I was in private school, I just said things that would make the instructors happy. This would usually help me in the long run because they would give me a passing grade in the end. I believe this is a prime example, which shows how corrupt the world is and how we must lie or cheat to get to where we want. I strongly believe that anything can be learned from just opening a book. In Catcher in the Rye, themes were significant and provided the story with more emphasis.
Themes in the story were essential to our learning process. Everything I learned from this story were based on themes and as a result, helped me learn about myself, others, and the world.
