This book was required reading in high school but, like Holden, I didn't apply myself in anything, including reading the book. I barely graduated with a class rank in the bottom 10% of my class and on a cold winter day the following year I read it in one sitting. Early in the book I laughed until I cried. By the end of the book I just cried. I was Holden. I thought I was the only misfit, the only one that confused. I am 69 now and I am well. The early years were tough, full of fear, frustration, and failure. Looking back now I wouldn't trade them for anything. I understand those that don't fit in. I understand those that hurt.

He is the duck. The freezing of the pond is a metaphor for freezing of relationships, so just like the duck, he also finds himself in a precarious situation and looks for a way out. That's why he is so obsessed with where the ducks go.

The main gist of this story is the loss of innocence. Holden wants to relate to others, but he thinks the entire grown-up world is full of phonies...he wants things to stay simple and innocent like in childhood. This is why he fixates on the 'frozen-in-time' displays at the museum, and dreams of stopping children from having to grow up. The reason its so hard to do a synopsis of TCITR is because theres no real plot / climax, so it sounds simply like some loser wandering aimlessly.

all it is is a story about depression and how you feel alone when you're young and feel like no one is there for you and don't understand it. very powerful in my opinion.

Read this book when I was in my late teenage years an era ago. I was just finishing high school with abominable grades, was called into guidance every other day with professors constantly asking me "What the hell are you even planning on doing?" and "You're going down the wrong path." Never studied, always skipped class, never went home because of my terrible domestic situation, never had any real friends - just wandered aimlessly around the town, day and night, smoking and reading pocket-books. The conversation Holden had with his professor at the beginning of the book was verbatim the conversation I had with one of mine. The relationship he has with Phoebe was the same as mine with my closest sibling. Each chapter I read back then, I cried harder and harder. At the end of it I was a mess. I felt relief. I felt security. Maybe for the first time ever. I shed tears from happiness just like Holden did at the end, sitting on that bench. I'll never forget that feeling of connection I had with Holden. Something so powerful about this books that now, 30 years later, I still break down whenever I think about it too much. I'm crying as I type this. I still have that copy with me, tear-stained and torn and dirty and smelly and old, but there isn't anything I cherish more than it.

I really got a kick out of this video. It killed me, it really did.

Never had to read this book for school since I'm from germany but I simply had to know about this after the South Park episode ^^

Good summary, but the artwork is probably some of the creepiest I've seen

addicted to these sparknotes, wish there was something like this when I went to high school

I pray people actually read this book. I'm not a big reader, but the way this book was written really struck a cord. Great book. Good video. Liked the artwork. Thanks.

Ugh this book still both cracks me up and breaks my Heart every time I read it.

I loved catcher in the Rye! It was so relatable and cool and great and it didn't really hide anything and it helped you come to terms with growing up.

The Wikihow imagery be like...

I'm 67 and I read this book so long ago I really needed to know what the story actually was since I didn't really remember it but was just left with a feeling from it when I heard the title. The feeling has always been just one of sadness. Lot of my youth was being discouraged from doing what I wanted or was good at. I told my daughter that she ought never be afraid to do what was easy for her.

"Ahh Catcher in the Rye, that killed me" - John Lennon

I actually really liked this book. The writing style was great and the characters were very well-rounded and had complex, realistic personalities. It's certainly not relatable, to me anyway. However, I think it's interesting to see things from the point of view of someone who doesn't trust anyone, and you wonder if you should even trust them. Maybe a lot of this book would be a lie, but Holden is crazy, so parts are exaggerated or added. No other book made me really think like The Catcher In the Rye.

At 9:17, Phoebe looks like Peter Dinklage wearing a blonde wig.

Phoebes hair is red not blonde.

This book should never be made into a movie.

I have read this book a fair amount of times and I never quite caught that he ended up in hospital for TB. I'm not sure how I missed that.

For an anti-social individual, he sure likes to talk to people and awful lot

I just broke down in tears watching this. My sister sent this book to me when I was booked county jail for my third DUI. I feel like I am Holden.

I loved this book. It was completely different and I guess I see why people my age wouldn't like it (I'm 15) because of how it SEEMS like a 16 year old kid who won't just relax and stop whining but it's actually a very powerful book that many can relate to. And the fact it was in the late forties/early fifties is what made it even more interesting in my opinion. Such a difference in people in only a 60 year gap.

I really liked this book. I really did. I’m not kidding. I’m really not.

Been binge watching these all day! Takes me back many years lol ... thank you for these, just to hear the stories again, unlike most who have to read for school... 🤣 I hope you keep doing more of these great books!!! Thank you! 🙂📗📙📚📖❣️

My favorite line: "'crew cuts are so corny and your hair is so lovely.' Lovely my ass."

This is one of my favorite book because there's so many things you can relate too.

9:08-9:21 Phoebe's coat is blue not red! It says so in the book. Just incase anyone needs small details like that

Timeless book. Mr. Salinger wrote something that every generation can relate to. The book bothers me, but makes me feel good at the same time. It's no wonder that J.D. Salinger lived secluded all his life.

2:22 ALLIES HAIR IS RED. RED. Look it up in to book, Holden talks all about how his hair is red. This is really bothering me.😑

At the end of the first chapter (like the last 2 pages), Holden mentions how he's a heavy smoker and how he grew 6 and a half inches last year. He says "That's also how I practically got t.b. and came out here for all these goddam checkups and stuff." But he also says hes "pretty healthy."

And this video doesn't represent the book well. Honestly no video will. The way Holden narrates the book is completely unique and important to understanding his character. It is a pretty deep and depressing book with some funny relatble comments by Holden. It's such an interesting book though

I just finished reading this book for an adolescent literature class. It's a good book, somewhat inactive, but very thought provoking. The style and form of writing is great, and Holden's stream of consciousness is a great representation of what many children his age experience. Shit, what many people experience in their times of needed focus.

I have not read the book as yet but based on this synopsis, the main character Holden seems to be person who is not able to see things through, or in other words he lacks the confidence to find a solution and implement it. But on the other hand he is quite confident in handling people and accosting them and trying to find out if anyone can help him. Its quite an interesting character and seems like a good read.

I first read this book when I was 15. I connected with it immediately.

Great video and all but isn't Sunny supposed to be around Holden's age?

My opinion on Holden changes the more I age and I think that's the beauty of The Catcher in the Rye.

Always thought I was missing out on something,glad I never wasted my time now .Cheers mate.

I remember reading this while in the military and even though I detest the book, I like how Holden does question the authority, even if he selfishly thinks that he is capable of living alone and without a need of studying further. Especially at the start when Mr. Spencer tells him that his essay was garbage, he does not understand the point and instead just picks up that he failed, but can move on. To me he is like Peter Pan; wanting to be a kid and free, but with the exception of the use of vices which he abuses constantly. However, just like in "the Great Gatsby", "Requiem for a Dream" or "the Outsiders", he lives from "Me vs. Them"-philosophy and an illusion of a better life through bad decisions, ultimately failing. However, unlike with some of the examples, he does not have a strong fate. He is bound with living in his illusions, but still understands that at least a part of him is changing as a result of his personal experiences. And that causes a possibility of misunderstanding adulthood and therefore, will bind towards further failure. Going through school, failing it and trying again, but with even less success. In general, he is the Catcher in the Rye, because he cannot leave his field, but also follows a cycle he cannot or does not want to break. He tries to keep things as they are, causing him to stand in the way of others. However, all will fall with time whether he attempts to stop them or not. And there is nothing he can do to change that. In the end, the only one who he lives for is his sister. And that is because she reminds him of his past, which he views as pure and innocent in a nostalgic, yet delusional manner.

The thing with Holden is, he's upper middle class, so he's been a bit sheltered in a lot of ways. And he's going through a transition that you go through when you go from being a little, pre-sexual kid, to becoming an adult. When you're a kid, even if you're not upper middle class but just middle class, life is pretty great. Peole don't have layers to them - just one layer. Your mom wants you to clean your room and finish your dinner, and do well in school. Your dad is happy when you learn to ride a bike w/o training wheels, and can help out in minor ways when he's fiddling with his car. I suppose in Holden's case it'd be things like remembering to say "May I" and not "Can I" when they ask for things, and not saying things like "I hate watercress!" and doing at least decently in school. Holden was actually captain of the fencing team, not that he was anything great at fencing, but they needed someone responsible and he was chosen, and he'd gone and left the fencing equipment (foils, masks, etc) on the train. And what was really bugging him was, he was realizing, at the ripe old age of 16, that pretty much everyone has layers, not one layer. His dad probably wants a scion who will take over the family business, and who's supposed to have a good golf game, or be decent at tennis, etc. The girls are all assessing him as possible wage-earner/respectable husband material. The English teacher wants him to find solace in great writers because if Holden does so, then the English teacher's path in life would be justified. Everyone's got layers, or what a paranoid person might call 'ulterior motives". No one cares about just Holden. So everyone's a phony. And he hates it because this is the part of life where you realize, Here you are. You've got this life and this is who you are and now you're stuck with it and have got to live it through, and it's gonna be complicated and it's gonna be hard because now there are all these extra factors you never thought about before. There's love, and sex, and making a living, and all kinds of things you never thought about, before. His little sister is still living, at least he thinks, in the Before. He wants to save all the kids running around in the rye from falling into the After, when they'll have to battle all the layers and the complications and the phoniness like he will. And mostly he wishes he could just go back to the Before, himself. That's what he really pines for. And that's why he's leaving fencing equipment on the train and flunking tests and not applying himself. Because maybe if he wishes hard enough, he can go back to the Before. He's essentially Peter Pan and he needs to grow up like we all had to. From the first time I read this book I thought, "What a loser" but there are so many people who put so much importance on this book, that I feel like I had to try to understand this loser, and I think I've pretty much got it. We all, from time to time, wish we could go back to those nice simple little-kid days. That wish has given birth to any number of books, from the aforementioned Peter Pan to tales of trying to escape to primitive places like Fatu-Hiva, and any number of idealistic tracts. It's a strong urge. But it's just that: an urge. Like the urge to be able to fly, or teleport, or a lot of things Mankind has gotten wistful for. You have to recognize that it's there, and then work in the real world to make things good for yourself and others and that takes work. It takes applying yourself.

I remember reading this book during my Freshman year. That was 3 years ago and it was such a good book.

This is saving me, I had to read this book over the summer and I start school tomorrow. I've only read 5 chapters and don't want to cram during the night so I'm well-rested for my first day as a sophomore.

best review I’ve seen. Thanks for bringing up that he is mourning his brother”s loss and this is the issue

The illustrations of all your videos are insanely good

I can easily say that this is one of my favorite books. I relate so well will Holden, even though my life is completely different. It's not often that you see an interesting character in a story, one that is truly interesting. Most characters have interesting backstories, but they are either too predictable or flawless. If they are flawed, they match completely, by being a bum or druggy or villain. I'm glad that I'm not the only person that breaks down randomly for no particular reason because of small triggers, like a person being unusually nice or by seeing a picture of Earth.

People hate Holden because they relate to him more than they would like. He represents our more embarrassing side of our teenage years, when we were whiny, selfish, and lost.

Loved this! Thanks for posting it!

your summary always the best of all other study guides

Looks like a WikiHow artist drew these

This is one book I never got the time to read and now I'm so glad.

God only knows how I passed my English classes in High School. I remember being a huge stoner and I would only get reading done if we did group readings in class. Otherwise I never picked up the book. I’m a smart kid just didn’t apply myself kinda like Holden lol, I remember being really stoned and just ranting about the ducks in Central Park as if that was the main plot of the movie. I would give anything to re read what I wrote on my exams just to have a good laugh about it now. Nyc high school graduate with some college credits. Dropped out of college right before graduating due to drug abuse and mental health just couldn’t do it. Now I’m starting to feel like it’s too late and I messed my opportunity up and going back Will feel like starting from scratch. I feel like I should be back in grade 1 for a week and every week I graduate kinda like billy Madison

This is one of my favorite books because there's so many things you can relate too.

Had to do summer reading you saved me!

I'm reading chapter 8 and I really like this book. We're reading it in class. If you really want to enjoy this book you have to read it properly, not just reading it but analyzing every word the author wrote

I love this. This book is very interesting. Thanks for posting this.

Good video. Thank you for posting. I’ve read this book more than once and always seem to miss something.

I was surprised when I ended up enjoying this book, I always thought classics were boring

Wandering around the city while smoking and drinking... That sounds like how I spent half of my life.

Dude that first image was exactly how I envisioned it to be while reading

Great channel. MORE CLASSICS!

I’m told to say “Thank you so very much for this summary.” My friend loves books immensely but her vision has gone bad so she can’t read books anymore And really wants to know what many books are about. Even though there are spoilers, she prefers to know what they’re about since audiobooks are often more expensive than paper books. So “thank you”. For me, there are classics that I’ll never get around to reading, my life has too many disruptions to get into books anymore. I can’t help but be curious what makes these classic books are about, so thank you from me too for feeding my curiosity. You summarize well. Please keep it up! Subscribed

Im supposed to write a summary later today about this book that I didn’t read. So this actually helps a lottttt update: i got 100 on the essay lol thanks to who ever made this video 😭

This was the only book in my life I read completely. That good it is

This sure brought back memory's.

I'm just glad it wasn't a crummy ending - I really am.

This came in clutch

Thank you so much it really helped me when i was studying for my quiz

These pictures are dead on from how Salinger describes it. Marvelous work, and thank you so much.

This is my favourite book :)

@TheJayman213 I was 14 when I first read this book. I have never related to a character so much as I did when I first read that book, particularly because I think I read it at just the right time in my life. It's actually a really accurate picture of a teenager's mindset, albeit it's a very extreme case. Judging by its status, I think a lot of people really felt the same way.

I just finished the book! It was such a powerful novel!

Wow ! Thanks for this summary ☺️

I like to think of Holden as half awaken to his real self and at the same time still driven by his ego and desire to be noticed.

Is it weird that I relate to Holden.. and I'm in my thirties now?

This is a very light idea of what the book is about. It’s actually an interesting book and should be read!

Such a great book! Thanks!

I love this book, but sometimes I don't like hearing other people's "phsycho-analysis" of it.. It kind of ruins my own interpretations :/ I honestly just wanted to see the pictures haha

2:46 Should be the coverArt for all editions of Catcher in Rye from now until forever.

i love this book so much.

One of my favorite books of all time. Going to search for A Confederacy of Dunces also. If it cannot be found, please make one!!

I don't understand why they haven't made The Catcher In The Rye into a movie yet. It'd be soo great.

I always thought that TCITR was about the loss of innocence, but everybody I talk to says that it's main theme is a different thing, everybody has a different answer. I suppose it's about whatever troubled one's most in their early adulthood, because Holden is so damn easy to relate to.

read this for a high school english symbolism class 25 years ago and you glossed over the dream holden has regarding children running off the cliff. he is near the cliff and leading to the cliff is a field of tall rye, and holden can't see the children until they get close to the cliff and exit the rye, that conceals them until the last moment.

I had to read this for class years ago but i love the book so much, (my fav book ever), i had to come back to watch the video

This video explained the book I could not understand in high school. It is a sad story that Holden could not fit in with anyone & he did not know how to fight either. I think boys that learn a trade like carpentry can do well in this world. One needs food & shelter in order to be able to think. Colleges & universities teach information about different subjects, but they don't teach you how to think. I had no money at college & when the cafeteria closed for the weekend I was hungry & very unprepared for that. Plus I didn't even know how to cook. I had too much stress. My son cuts grass with me & then he goes shopping for food with his money. I'm trying to help him be successful. He did hang a mirror on the wall for me. He is learning to be competent in using a drill. I tell him that God loves us & gave us oxygen so we could breathe. I tell him that God made Eve for Adam & that God will give him a woman to love, too. Holden could be called "Goofus" & someone should make another video about Holden becoming "Gallant." I loved the stories of Goofus & Gallant. This was a good video. I'll show it to my son. Another great video would be about boys that play video games all day & then 5 years later they are unhappy adults that have horrible jobs if they do get hired.

I really enjoyed this book, finished it in a day. I can relate with Holden to an extent. I'm not nearly as wealthy as he is and a different background entirely. I can tell that he doesn't entirely mean everything he says about other people. He likes everyone he speaks to but is too bashful to admit it. He even says to Mr Antolini that he only hates people for a while, and then goes back to liking them. I think it's true. I think he is a product of his environment and his experience in New York was very character-building and insightful for him. As with being a social introvert. It's relatable, I myself would identify as an 'introvert', but deep down I really crave connections with people. It's mainly why I take the train into London most days and try to speak to strangers with small talk. I want to be a soul, existing on the earth despite my instincts to keep quiet and to myself. I don't know. I really rambled on here...

The story is really about any number of disassociated youth. Many young people don't have any concrete ideas of what they want to do with their lives. Parents should try to give their children some experiences with travel or take them to talk to and watch relatives and other adult friends work. I know I learnt a lot from hanging around with adults when i was a kid, I helped mechanics and farmers and learned a lot which gave me ideas of my own.

Thanks for the quick summary

In my take on the story. People don't change, they just go on making the same mistakes all over again through their lifetime.

such a great book. i like how many time salinger put the word "goddamn" in the book, lol.

Sir, Your explanation through this video is superb n praiseworthy. My regards to u. I am sure that if candidate listens to your video 2-3 times sincerely, s/he could be able to understand fully n can get success in exams. Hats off to your. Only one problem I faced your speed of delivery as I am an Indian n studied up-to class XII in Bengali medium. Yours' Jagannath Ghosh(MA final year student Ignou

Gorgeous illustrations ...

I find it hilarious that the most "phony" people are the ones who think that this is the most flawless book. It's not that bad, but it's not perfect. Nothing is.

I love the catcher in the rye, great depressing book for when you're depressed

One of my favourite books!

Geeez! Thank you!! I didn't get it but now I do. 👍💐

In order to understand this book you have to be a very intelectually deep person. If you're looking for action packed and the obvious, this book isn't for you. You have to really think and relate. This book isn't for everyone, but if you are a deep thinker, very into your thoughts and are never bored because your own mind is entertainment enough, this book is for you.

Taxi Driver anyone?

Catcher in the Rye is a one of a kind book because it kind of mesmerizes you into Holden Caulfield world like no other novel (that I know of). Little wonder that it shows up in mind control stories. "Conspiracy Theory" starring Mel Gibson kind of alludes to it but popular conspiracy tales often have Catcher in the Rye in them.

Bringing book main characters to life is really Terrific.