I just finished re-reading this book. I read it about 30 years and it went over my head back then. Holden is recovering from a nervous breakdown at a psychiatric hospital. He is giving an account of the days that lead up to his “break” to what we can guess is a doctor. He is an insecure, self conscious teenager and for all of his interest in literature, he is unable to articulate the emotional pain he is in and indulges in a false bravado when speaking (hence calling himself a liar and note how many times he forces himself to admit he is a coward, weak). He is deeply troubled by the death of his younger brother and although his family spoke of sending him to a psychiatrist, nothing was done and he was sent off to live with a bunch of strangers at various boarding schools. If he was strong and not “yellow” he would just be able to suck it up and move forward, like a “man” which is what his family and the culture of the time would dictate; so he has that gnawing at him. His family, in particular his mother were an upper class family who could not deal with things that were not “nice” and were probably more concerned about the stigma of having a child with psychological issues than they were about Holden; they tried to sweep it all under the rug so to speak. Note the mother’s conversation with Phoebe, the headache, the objection to the word lousy). This is the issue that Holden had with Sally; she was the kind of girl who would grow up to be like his mother and he resented it and took some of his anger towards his mother out on her. As for Jane Gallagher; go back to Holden’s use of the word phony. Holden is trying to connect with others on a spontaneous, authentic level and is failing miserably. He is looking for that emotional connection with others and way of being in the world that children do which he sees as being lost once one reaches sexual maturity and one learns to play “the game” of life. Note that at the beginning of the book he is standing by himself, outside of a football game that is going on. His emotional wound does not let him take everything as lightly as others, Death has changed the context of everything for him. The one person he was able to form an authentic connection with was Jane and he is afraid to call her because he is afraid she has changed (reaches sexual maturity which the date with Stradlater indicates) Note the times that he pretends he is wounded, shot etc.; in his mind it is Jane that is always there to help him. Regarding his dislike for his fellow students; they all know he has been kicked out and no one is acknowledging what he is going through (again. Note his family) He is being rejected once again, whether deserved or not. The only ones that he felt truly accepted by were little red headed Allie and Phoebe (note the red hat). Regarding his dislike for other concert and movie goers; he questions anyone’s emotional response to what they are experiencing, sort of like how you are “expected” to cry at weddings. Note how he talks about Phoebe’s spontaneous reaction to a movie they saw together in contrast. Mr. Antonlini would fit the stereotype of a closeted gay man of that era, but keep in mind that not long before that encounter, Holden met up with Carl Luce, who could be seen (in the way Holden thinks) as a “corrupting” influence, similar to the “fuck you” written on the wall at Phoebe’s school. Mr. Antolini’s interest in Holden May not have been sexual but a feeling of compassion for a boy who is different from others, something which he knows from experience. Holden feels a terrible guilt for automatically rejecting Antolini and questions his response. Remember, Holden feels things but is unable to articulate them. OK I ran out of steam, I’m done for today lol 😂

You two deserve more subscribers. Thanks for the help with my essay since I couldn't find the energy to read it again . Definitely a good duo here .

Love your guy’s reviews. The best I’ve seen. It feels like a real discussion with friends diving deeper into a book and not just a back of the book recap.

This was interesting although I'm kinda torn about the analysis here. Though I think an argument can be made for a queer reading of Catcher, I think Jane needs to be factored into that argument. Holden gets into that fight with his roommate because he was complaining about his date with Jane. Not because Stradlater is a douche in general. Holden has flash backs to memories of them hanging out. He spends the entire novel wanting to call her. Granted their relationship isn't super romantic or sexual. The most intimate scene they share is when Holden sits in her lap and kisses her face (I believe she would move her head when Holden got to close to her lips). I think Jane represents a lot of things to Holden and I'm not sure it's as cut and dry as just romance but she is an important part of the novel (or at least important to Holden). I was sort of surprised no one mentioned her.

I am a reader in my late sixties. I first read Catcher while in high school. I was not impressed. I found the language and sexual references distasteful. I was not a rebellious teenager, therefore I did not relate to that aspect of the book. Of my friends who read the book (it was passed around in class, underneath the desks), no one said they liked it. They read it only because it had bad language and talked about sex. Fast forward to around four or five years ago. I reread the book. I was no longer a teenager. I came to the book as an adult. I remembered I was not impressed with The Catcher in the Rye the first time. I wondered if, as an adult, I could find things in the book I did not find the first time around. The first thing that amazed me about the novel is how specific Holden Caulfield's voice is. That voice is unlike any I have ever read before. Yes, it was annoying at first. But, it rang true. That Salinger maintained that specificity throughout the novel was quite a feat. To compare Holden's attitudes and manner of expressing himself to that of teenagers today is foolhardy and unfair. Another thing that must be taken into account is the time frame in which Salinger wrote the book. In your review you mentioned attitudes of the forties or fifties. The book was published in 1951. The book existed before then. Salinger was a soldier during World War II. I read that he participated in the landing of D-Day. He had several chapters of Catcher written by this time. Towards the end of the war, Salinger went into a mental institution as a result of his experiences. After leaving the hospital, he re-enlisted and participated in the de-Nazification of Germany. Although I have not read them, I did read that Salinger wrote some short stories while in service concerning soldiers in the war. The experience of his being in the service left him disillusioned concerning the false sense of idealism he saw during and after the war. This background is necessary in understanding Holden as he is portrayed in the novel. Holden is a literary representation of Salinger and the attitudes he held as a result of his experiences during and after the war. With this information in hand, one can re-examine the story of Holden Caulfield in a new light. The story takes on meanings other than the story of a troubled teenager. When I reread the novel, the first thing I noticed was the purity of Holden's voice. This alone is worth the praise the novel has gained over the years. It is a magnificent achievement. The next revelation I had in rereading the book was the importance of the character, Allie, Holden's brother who died of leukemia at age eleven in 1946. I recognized immediately that all of Holden's attitudes and actions were of a result of Allie's death. Holden is a teenager, a time of immense change in a person's life. Holden mentions in the book how difficult it is for him to accept Allie's death. This was the key that allowed me to understand why Holden was so self-destructive in his attitudes and actions. It was not teenage rebellion. I always thought that was too simplistic of an interpretation of the book. I even saw that as a teenager myself. Once I recognized the reason behind Holden's behavior, the pieces of the book fell in place. The one thing that bothered me about the book was trying to accept the things Holden did. Placing the label of "troubled teen" as the cause did not work for me. I was a gay teenager during the sixties. I was a very unhappy and confused teenager. But, I never fell prey to self-destruction as a means of dealing with my condition. I could not see why a book would be written whose whole point was to tell the story of someone whose character was such that he cops out on life. To write a novel whose only purpose is to record destructive behavior with no grounding in why, other than using the excuse of being a teenager that's messed up, is lazy, unproductive and unnecessary. Linking Holden's response to Allie's death to his behavior gave me the understanding of why there was the language, the bad attitudes, the self-destructive actions. This is when I turned from judging Holden for his bad choices to feeling compassion for what he was struggling with. The whole novel is telling the story of a young man struggling with life events he did not understand and was not equipped to accept. As he pushed people away, it was the only means he knew of to express the pain he was feeling, the disconnection and sorrow. This is when I recognized the genius of Salinger's work. It was like a window being opened to a vista of incredible beauty. And, Salinger did not stop there. As the novel ends, we learn that Holden is in the hospital. He has realized he cannot fight against his feelings and win without the help of others. He has hope that through a willingness to accept the help of others, he can get well. This is the personal aspect of interpreting this story. The impersonal aspect is to recognize Allie as a symbol of the death of innocence America experienced as a result of the war. Holden represents the disillusionment many felt as a result of the social and economic changes brought about after World War II. And, when one considers F. Scott Fitzgerald's the Great Gatsby as a response to the loss of the American dream after World War I, this interpretation of The Catcher in the Rye is not that implausible.

Catcher in the Rye is a book I have read on two occasions. Once in high school and again in my early 20s. I must admit that in both those readings at such different ages, maturity levels etc. I have never quite picked up on the homosexuality undertones as was expressed in this video. As I was watching it I felt very much like Dalton, there were some revelations that made me think a bit. For me personally, the reason this book is a near and dear is because it's hard to just simply dissect its text. You can visit this novel multiple times and find a fork in the road. Now I need to read Less than Zero. Great video once again gents:)

I never considered Holden as gay but immature and child-like that he hasn't developed sexually. The whole catcher in the rye is metaphorically Holden being the catcher and catching children from falling into adulthood and losing innocence in the form of sex . Still it's a thought since Holden doesn't speak truthfully to us

Also I wish Holden didn't need to be gay to respect women as people. It sort of bothers me when people say that because it's as if his listening to a woman say "stop" or "no" is gay instead of respect for the other person's wishes. And you don't need to be gay to get sexually assaulted by a pervy old guy... if "everyone around him knew," that doesn't mean he's asking to get touched in his sleep... I know you didn't mean that, but I still just don't think it's fair.

Wow this was a great analysis and it felt super fun as well. Loved it

What's so ironic about this book is that everyone who criticizes it says Holden "is too negative" or her "whines too much." Does Holden have a hard time seeing the good in the world, or do these people have a problem seeing the good in Holden?

My right ear felt lonely and abandonnes

Thank you for this video! I also thought that holden might be struggling with his sexuality, and there are more hints to sexual abuse in this book (a guy on his school that killed himself) that might play a role. It was a nice read!

lol hahaha that intro just made my day! could have a clip of you watching the ducks by the lake, just wondering and stuff I loved this book, it was actually recommended to me by my therapist as a bibliotherapy. Is when you use books to help you understand or cope with mental problems, so it kind of changed my life. That being said, it far from perfect indeed.. Great video guys :D

The book was quite good I don't think I will read it again I didn't read it in school just found out about it recently and decided to read it

Wow, what a great discussion with you two. You brought up things I never thought about when reading the book, so now I have something to ponder. 😊 I also haven't studied this in any literature class, but Ernie being short for "earnest" (Ernst/Ernest) occurred to me. Perhaps Holden hates the earnestness of the piano playing and the joy of music, so he brushes it off as phony so that he doesn't have to face that real emotion and energy in the room.

I'm a spanish teacher (trying to learn english) and I'm just in love of you guys! I have a really good ear, so I understand all that you say, but I say it because I just finish read this book and I want soo badly to see some people talk about it. I choose you because this video was really long (even I will love to see just one hour of you) and I just love you. I will see all of your videos, but, I try to do it one I finish the book. I love your interpretation!

I always enjoy these discussions, but I wish Dalton and Adrian would do even a smidgeon of research before making their videos. I'm no Salinger expert - I wasn't even an English lit major - but I do know that Salinger served in the US Army, took part in the D-Day invasion, experienced horrific combat, helped liberate Nazi concentration camps, and had a complete emotional breakdown in Germany after the end of the war. He actually describes PTSD and suicide in his short stories "A Good Day for Bananafish" and "For Esme with Love and Squalor," which are all about depression and alienation. While "Catcher" isn't only about the horrors of war and the phoniness of civilization the war revealed (and he had been working on parts of the story even BEFORE the war), that's clearly a major subtext. Also, Salinger was of Jewish background, and thus an automatic outsider in the anti-Semitic WASP culture of the times. So while the discussion is interesting, I'd say analysing the book without any of this basic information is a pretty fruitless exercise.

That intro was great! I've been wanting to read this book, but it keeps getting pushed back behind other books on my list.

1. I got into a conversation about the book "Less Than Zero" in the middle of reading "The Catcher in the Rye" and I had the same thought. I'm not sure I would have made that connection had the topic not come up, but luckily it did. 2. At Antonelli's place Holden describes: "You were always yelling when you were there. That's because both of them were never in the same room at the same time. It was sort of funny." There's a line in the film version of "Fight Club" (it's been nearly a decade since I read it so I don't know if it's in the book) where the narrator says: "Except for their humping, Tyler and Marla were never in the same room. My parents pulled this exact same act for years." EDIT: It just occurred to me that the ending of "Fight Club" the book is different than "Fight Club" the movie and suddenly seems very relevant.

But he does mention he wants to marry that one girl and gets ferocious and gets in a fight after thinking that guy did it with that girl he likes. He might be gay, but it does not feel that way to me. Overall an interesting book though he lost his brother, which may have changed how he saw the world.

When I read, I read for the struggle and triumph of the characters. Maybe the reason I didn't like this book was that there was no triumph - there was no high point, like you said. Holden is the same at the start as he is at the end. He doesn't succeed and he doesn't lose either. Unless there's something I'm missing.

You guys kill me. Loved the intro. Like the anti-coming of age interpretation. I felt some of the tones Adrian did but not put it all together like he did.

I love the catcher in the rye in an unnatural way. in high school i read the whole thing in two sittings, always expecting a climax that never came. it touched me deeply for some reason after i had finished it and i don't even know why because i couldn't relate to Holden at all. but i'm pretty sure that the book actually holds the spirit of Boris Johnson.

I loved this book. I’ve read it 3 or 4 times through and usually read it in one sitting. I’ve recommended it to my 3 best friends and they fell in love with it as well. Also, I’m relatively young ( sophomore in high school ) and not an avid reader, so the conversational style is very comforting. I can’t imagine relating completely to Holden.... but i think there’s a gay ,cynical, slightly insane, “angsty teen” part of me that just loves him lol

I thought you would talk more about the theme of phoniness

Did you even read the book he was not broke he became broke

That door opened and I just LOST MY SHIT

But he also mentioned he believed in God but I don't remember where

Even though you guys didn't like it much, your review still makes me want to read the book. You have great insight. And, Dalton, can I borrow that top?

isnt the question about the ducks about how little mankind has become severed with its own natural environment? where there is a palpable detachment. one that some people are not comfortable with. a trade-in of raw nature for manufactured plastic? where the manufactured plastic cannot have a response (intellectual / emotional) to questions related to raw nature? and vice versa? I thought the question was valid. I like to think of Holden as a poet much like Robert Frost. Someone who doesnt like where society is going, and cant pretend that he does either

I never read this in high school or college but for some reason I've always wanted to read it. I saw it in a thrift store last month for 25 cents and got it. I didn't have any definite plans to read it anytime soon, just hoped that I would get to it at some point. Now I'm really intrigued although I guess I still don't know what it's about....

I just finished that book on audiobook..Loved the GodD### hell out of it...It really killed me!...I will buy it and put it in my favorite book collection..With catch 22.. Steppenwolf...Fahrenhiet 451...Best of Edgar allen poe. Best of H P Lovecraft.

Great job hit that button and subscribe !!!

i felt the same way about holden

I never liked this book either, but I respect what it has done for literature as a whole. c:

unfortunate you didnt like it. i consider myself having passed existentialism with this wonderful trinity: Catcher in the Rye, On the Road (Kerouac), The Stranger (Camus) These are kinda like the primary colors that any other existentialist color can be derived I might be talking out of my ass. But I might not be either

Guys, that's some deep shit. Really, really appreciate it.

There has actually been a lot of discussion about this possibility.

joe atwill has couple interesting articles on his website talking about symbolism of book: masonic rituals, pedophile undertows, salinger's early career in intelligence and implanting information in subconscious as subtle form of mind control. it's intriguing look at perplexing things in book.

Please strip apart One hundred years of solitude ....the Nobel prize winner 🔥💥

I'm just hear to annoy Adrian by telling him he looks like John Green in this video.

"It's not about the ducks."

goethe invented teen angst with his 'young werther'.

I strongly dislike this book. I feel like Holden is a rebel without applause. I couldn't get behind it. I felt like he was going out of his way to find something to hate.

I didn't hate Catcher in the Rye but I damn well had a hard time reading it.

Hey Gentry, when are you wearing that sweet number to work?

Alright... I loved this book, I listened to it while painting cuz I have ADD and that's the only way I could read it... But I loved it and then you had to call him gay... what the hell?! He hates fighting and yet he's willing to get into a fist fight with Stradlater, over a girl who he's loved since forever. Cmon... he's obviously straight as f*ck. He's so attracted to girls he puts up with Sally's fake a** personality cuz she's pretty. I was really getting into your video and then I just got pissed cuz you wasted so much time on that bizarre theory. I never write comments on anything but that really got to me cuz I fell in love with this book

i had to read this for school when i was 14 and hated it but i went back and reread it at 28 this year and found it far better but still dislike holden

I read Catcher in school and loved it but I didn't understand half the adult references back then. Read it at 32 and hate it! The repetitive language drove me mad. The teen angst in Catcher made me equate it to Harry Potter Order of The Phoenix, which I also found a blabbering read because of all the teen angst.

"I kept waiting to turn into a flit or something." 159

I read this novel back in 9th grade and thought it was absolutely fantastic! I loved it so much back then that years later I decided to teach it to my 9th graders in class many years later (I was probably around 30 yrs old at this point). I thought it was absolutely horrible this time around.

It’s my least favorite Salinger book. Try 9 stories.

if a man shows emotion hes GAY nevermind hes been shown to be explicitly attracted to a girl

Not even my left ear enjoyed this review.

Degrees in Literature? You guys should be ashamed to admit that in public. SHEESH. Is that more or less of a F*ck Off degree than Communications? My Brother in Law got degree in High School Football Coach in Florida. It only makes me angry because I suffered through a ridiculous business program. We did real work. I wrote Scientific Papers in the pre med program. I taught myself Calculus and Micro Economics online. BEFORE ZOOM. You read books and told us what you thought. SHEESH. We don't need to know what everyone thinks.

I read this book in high school, and hated it! I had to force myself to finish it. I find it a pretentious drudge of garbage. I do like some of his other work. I love the story of his,.. A Perfect Day for Bananas Fish.