Discussion Question 1- The Catcher in the Rye

The writing for The Catcher in the Rye depressed me a little bit. The writing was mostly negative. He did not really see the good in the little things. A lot of things upset Holden, and he was very tense and on edge throughout the whole book. Only a couple of things brought him joy. For instance, watching his sister ride around on the carousel gave him happiness (Salinger 213). I think the writing reveals a different viewpoint for the readers. Most books focus on the positive side of things. Even though there may be tragedies and struggles in a story, the plot usually focuses on the more positive effects. In this story though, the reader gets to see what it is like to focus on the more negative side of things. I think the writing reveals the author’s “second side.” The author was not really afraid to have a different point of view. The main character told it like he saw it, and he really did not care what other people thought. He had that attitude where he did things on his own time and did not really listen to anybody else. The author does have values though, and you can tell in the book. Holden really did want to do that right thing. He tried very hard to please everyone, but everyone knows that is not possible. I think the author did a very good job of using detail to show a different viewpoint. I have never read a book so in depth with detail. Holden depicted every situation in the book. He really analyzed things, and from there he decided if he was happy or depressed. The story is told from the point of view of Holden Caulfield. He is a teenage boy who really struggles throughout the story with finding out who he is. He does not know what he wants to be and he does not know where he is going in the future (Salinger 188). He thinks too much about things and that is why the story was depressing in a way. 

Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company. 1951.