Characteristics of Young-Adult Books and Its Relations to Catcher in the Rye

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Lily Luo

19 December 2002

Language Arts/ Period 3

Mrs. Ethridge

Characteristics of Young-Adult Books and Its Relations to Catcher in the Rye

        Catcher in the Rye contains many characteristics of a young-adult book. The character, Holden, in the novel, has many characteristics that the main character has in a young-adult book. For example, he is young, only 17-years-old. He is also realistic because many teenagers go through the same situations as he goes through. Many teens are depressed and feel as if nothing in the world matters. Holden also has a lack of self-confidence. For example, he says, “My brother D.B.’s a writer and all, and my brother Allie, the one that died, that I told you about, was a wizard. I’m the only really dumb one.” Most teenagers, who also have a lack of self-confidence, can place themselves in Holden’s shoes. Also, the other minor characters in the book have the traits that characters in a young-adult book possess. Similar to other young-adult book characters, Holden’s parents are undeveloped and are essentially out of the picture. In addition, other adults serve as the mentor for Holden, such as Mr. Spencer, who tells him “Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.” Another adult, Mr. Antolini, also serves as a mentor. For example, he knows that something terrible will happen to Holden soon and even says, “I have a feeling that you’re riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall.” The characters in Catcher in the Rye contain many characteristics of characters a young-adult book.

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        The point of view of this novel has also the characteristics of a young-adult book. The view is in the protagonist’s, which is Holden’s point of view. The reader learns about all the events in Holden’s life through his own eyes. Holden gives his perspective on things and tells his views. For instance, he describes, “The band was putrid. Buddy Singer. Very brassy, but not good brassy—corny brassy.” It is also in first person, using the word I, as demonstrated by Holden, “It was around ten-thirty, I guess, when I finished it. I wasn’t tired, though, so I looked out ...

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