Famous Catcher inside Rye Quotes with Analysis

Use these famous quotes from The Catcher in the Rye to talk about the novel smartly and draw out 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 tried 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 considering me when I was all gory" (104).
Analysis: Shortly after Holden is assaulted by Maurice, the elevator pimp, he needs a bath, would go to bed, and confesses he'd have rather killed himself than get to sleep. His reason for not doing the work gives the reader a glimpse into his contradictory nature. He claims he desires to be isolated, yet is overly interested in what all the others thinks about him. He would like to die because everybody is a "phony" yet wants to live as he doesn't want the "phonies" to evaluate him.




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Quote: "Real ugly girls contain it tough. I feel so sorry on their behalf sometimes" (85).
Analysis: Holden shows another component of his personality: the opportunity to empathize with others' suffering. The problem, however, is Holden assumes most people are suffering. His feeling sorry for ugly Dating girls also highlights the inner struggle he's with sexual attraction.
Quote: "It's not too bad once the sun's out, however it only comes out when it feels like coming out" (156).
Analysis: Holden says this in mention of the Allie. He feels upset that everybody can go in when it rains, but not Allie. On another level, it shows Holden's helplessness in controlling what's around him. He feels he's no treating how he feels, that things just happen.
Quote: "What I have to do, I have to hook everybody whenever they start to check out the cliff...That's all I'd do all day long. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and many types of. I know it's crazy, that is the only thing I'd love to be" (173).
Analysis: Holden strives with all his might to preserve childhood innocence. What he ceases to understand is part of we were young is losing that innocence, that he's usually the one headed to the fall, knowning that there's nobody there capture him.
Quote: "Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all of the hot-shots are, then it's a game, all right'I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, high aren't any hot-shots, then what's a casino game about it? Nothing. No game" (8).
Analysis: Holden comments about 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 your very wealthy lawyer. Despite having entry to a great education and immense wealth, Holden feels isolated and appearance upon the rich kids at his schools as a lot of "phonies."
Quote: "The trouble was, that kind of junk is almost fascinating to watch, even if you don't want it to be" (62).
Analysis: Holden comments for the perverts he sees while staying in the Edmont Hotel. He believes there's wrong with what they are doing, yet feels strangely attracted. This is another instance where Holden feels helpless to regulate what is going on around him.
Quote: The guy I like best in the Bible, close to Jesus, was that lunatic and all, that lived inside tombs and kept cutting himself with stones. I like him 10 times as much as the disciples" (99).
Analysis: Here we find, once again, Holden favoring the outcast as opposed to the "chosen" ones. What he doesn't understand is the lunatic is eventually healed. Will Holden be?
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