What is a good connection between The Catcher In The Rye and something in life?

Question

For my English project I have to make a connection between something in life and the Catcher in the Rye. Any good ideas?

Answer 1

Themes

Alienation and Loneliness

The main theme that runs through this book is alienation, whether the book is read as the funny/tragic account of a deeply troubled, rebellious, and defensive teenager or as a commentary on a smug and meaningless social milieu. Phoebe sums up Holden's sense of separateness from and anger at other people when she tells him he doesn't like anything.

Holden's red hunting cap, which he dons when he is most insecure, is a continuing symbol throughout the book of his feeling that he is different, doesn't fit into his environment, and, what's more, doesn't want to fit in.

Failure

A second theme is that of failure. Holden continually sets himself up for failure, then wears It like a badge of courage. Thus he falls in every encounter with other people in the book with the exception of Phoebe. Why would a sixteen-year-old want to fail? Failure serves as a great attention getter.

Plot Summary

Part I—Holden Flunks out of Pencey

The Catcher in the Rye tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenage slacker who has perfected the art of underachievement.

The novel begins with Holden flunking out of school for the fourth time. During the last days before his expulsion, he searches for an appropriate way to conclude his school experience, but he ends up getting so annoyed with his school and schoolmates that he leaves in the middle of the night on the next train home to New York City. Arriving home a few days earlier than his parents expect him, he hangs out in the city to delay the inevitable confrontation with his parents When his money runs out, he considers hitchhiking out west, but he ultimately returns home, mainly to be with his younger sister Phoebe.

Perhaps this information will help you find a relevant topic. Good luck.

Answer 2

How Holden feels towards his sister, in that he wants to protect her from everything is similar to over protective mothers. umm oh geeze, its been so long since i read that. ... sorry cant come up with anything else