1.2 An overview of The Catcher in the Rye源'自:吹冰`~论`文'网www.chuibin.com

     The leading character in this novel is a middle school student called Holden, who was born in a rich middle-class family. Although Holden was only sixteen years old, he did not want to continue his study. Holden was tired of everything at school and he was dismissed after that term because he failed in four subjects of the five. Before this, Holden had been dismissed for three times. However, Holden did not feel sad about this and he left school in advance for New York. Holden dare not return home because he was afraid of being scolded by his parents. Therefore, Holden had to louse around in New York. In this process, Holden fully realized the ugliness and inveracity of human beings. Holden worried that he was going to die, so he decided to take a risk to go home. He wanted to say goodbye to his sister Phoebe. After that, Holden wanted to go to the west to make a living and he planed to pretend to be a deaf-mute there. But Holden wanted to meet Phoebe again before leaving here. After a series of setbacks, Holden met Phoebe finally. However, Phoebe dragged a suitcase full of her clothes and she decided to follow Holden to go to the west together. At last, Holden had to give up his plan because he could not persuade his sister not to go with him. Afterwards, Holden went home and went through a serious illness, then he was sent to a sanatorium.