The Catcher in the Rye is J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel of post-war alienation told by angst-ridden teen Holden Caulfield. Controversial at the time of publication for its frank language, it was an instant best-seller, and remains beloved by both teens and adults. Read a character analysis of Holden, plot summary, and important quotes.

Summary

Read our full plot summary and analysis of The Catcher in the Rye, scene by scene break-downs, and more.

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in The Catcher in the Rye and in-depth analyses of Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, Mr. Antolini, Mr. Spencer, Stradlater, and Carl Luce.

Literary Devices

Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in The Catcher in the Rye, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.

Quick Quizzes

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Essays

Get ready to ace your The Catcher in the Rye paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.

Further Study

Go further in your study of The Catcher in the Rye with background information, movie adaptations, and links to the best resources around the web.