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Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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The
Catcher in the Rye
Stephen Ahern
Ballincollig CS, Cork
The Catcher in the Rye is
an alternative and less than optimistic outlook on life seen through the
eyes of a troubled teenager in 1950Õs New York. Holden Caulfield
has been expelled from school for poor achievement once again. In an attempt
to deal with this he leaves school a few days prior to the end of term
and goes to New York to 'take a vacation' before returning to his parent's
inevitable wrath. Told as a monologue, Salinger describes Holden's thoughts
and activities over these few days.
Holden's type of character
can be deduced from his views on others. He is seen to be a disrespectful
teenager with a sarcastic and rude judge of character. Holden finds fault
in every member of society he comes across, quickly classifying them with
such words as 'phoney'. As the novel progresses, Salinger presents Holden,
with his erratic behaviour and bizarre personality, to be a very bitter
and almost unlikeable character. The colloquial style of the author tends
to highlight and enhance Holden's harsh views on the world. Through Caulfield,
Salinger presents his sarcastic and sometimes witty sense of humour.
Holden's troubled background
and unexplainable depression develops to eventual nervous collapse and
makes for somewhat depressing reading. However in Holden's insanity, The
Catcher in the Rye reveals a deeper theme that many teenagers can related
to. Although uncomfortable reading for many, the author gives an enlightening
and fascination description of the world which is admirable.
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