This issue of "Monarch Notes" is a critical commentary on "Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger, and as such is designed to shed more and sharper light in comprehending the work. "Monarch Notes" serve as supplements to the actual texts of the world's great literature. These study guides are designed to allow students to gain additional insight and deeper understanding of many great works of literature. Each "Monarch Notes" issue contains: I.) a concise biography of the author, bibliography, influences on the author's writing, and a comprehensive picture of the intellectual climate of the period. II.) a summary and critical analysis of the work's structure, including a thorough examination of characters III.) sample review questions with detailed answer IV.) annotated bibliographies V.) suggested topics for papers N. B. "Monarch Notes" are not a substitute for reading the original work.
Who would have thought a book about a boy dictating his thoughts to you would be so entertaining. The book revolves around a boy named Holden who leaves his private school in an attempt to get something better out of life. In his travels he explains to you about his life including how he wants to protect children from the real world. His journey may not give him something better in the world but it teaches him to appreciate the world around him.
Maybe things were different when Salinger wrote this novell but the end was obvious very early in the story, and the use of repetition to build drama for the ending was laboured and, in many cases, ineffectual. I am at a loss as to why this book ever became a best seller.