Famous Catcher in the Rye Quotes with Analysis

Use these famous quotes from The Catcher inside Rye to go over the novel knowledgeably and acquire the novel's major themes.
Quote: "What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping the window. I probably would've done it, too, if I'd been sure somebody'd cover me up as soon as I landed. I didn't need a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory" (104).
Analysis: Shortly after Holden is assaulted by Maurice, the elevator pimp, he takes a bath, travels to bed, and confesses although have rather killed himself than get to sleep. His reason behind not carrying it out gives the reader a glimpse into his contradictory nature. He claims he wants to be isolated, yet is overly worried about what all others thinks about him. He wants to die because everyone is a "phony" yet really wants to live as he doesn't want the "phonies" to evaluate him.




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Quote: "Real ugly girls number for friendship get it tough. I feel so sorry for them sometimes" (85).
Analysis: Holden shows another part of his personality: to be able to empathize with others' suffering. The problem, however, is that Holden assumes everybody is suffering. His feeling sorry for ugly girls also highlights the inner struggle he has with sexual attraction.
Quote: "It's not too bad when the sun's out, nonetheless it only arrives when it is like coming out" (156).
Analysis: Holden says this in mention of the Allie. He feels upset that everybody can go in if it rains, but not Allie. On another level, it shows Holden's helplessness to managing what's around him. He feels he's no control over how he feels, that things just happen.
Quote: "What I have to do, I have to catch everybody when they start to look at the cliff...That's all I'd do all day long. I'd you should be the catcher inside the rye and many types of. I know it's crazy, but that is the only thing I'd like to be" (173).
Analysis: Holden strives with all his might to preserve childhood innocence. What he fails to understand is that part of we were young is losing that innocence, that he's the one headed for that fall, understanding that there's nobody there to hook him.
Quote: "Game, my ass. Some game. If you get quietly where all of the hot-shots are, then it's a game, all right'I'll admit that. But if you receive on the other side, and then there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game" (8).
Analysis: Holden comments around the "game of life," considering it just a game for that privileged. The fact that Holden feels isolated and unfortunate contradicts his charmed upbringing, being the son of a very wealthy lawyer. Despite having usage of a great education and immense wealth, Holden feels isolated and looks upon the rich kids at his schools as a lot of "phonies."
Quote: "The trouble was, that sort of junk is kind of fascinating to observe, even if you don't want it to be" (62).
Analysis: Holden comments about the perverts he sees while residing at the Edmont Hotel. He believes there's something wrong with what they are doing, yet feels strangely attracted. This is another instance where Holden feels helpless to manage what is going on around him.
Quote: The guy I like best in the Bible, alongside Jesus, was that lunatic and all, that lived in the tombs and kept cutting himself with stones. I like him much as much as the disciples" (99).
Analysis: Here we find, again, Holden favoring the outcast rather than the "chosen" ones. What he does not understand is the lunatic is eventually healed. Will Holden be?
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