The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger was originally published in 1951, but is still popular today. The book is most commonly used for scholastic purposes in high schools, known for its “coming of age” and culture themes. The story is told by Holden Caulfield, who is both the narrator and the protagonist. Holden tells the story in the past tense, but refrains from explaining why for many chapters. This novel is meant to be read into, featuring many consistent metaphors that are important to the plot such as windows, Holden’s hat, and even the title. This, along with a number of other factors, is what makes it a great book for high school literature.