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New York City is the main location of this novel as Holden roams the streets trying to occupy his free time, and delay the return home to his dissapointed parents.

Hemingway Personal Response

The Catcher in the Rye was one of the most challenged books from the time of 1990-2005. This is because the book uses much profanity and vulgar language; it also promotes bad morals by making many sexual references. This book addresses teenage angst, underage consumption of alcohol, and smoking. For all of these reasons and more, I had a hard time relating to this book. I can honestly say that my personal experiences are the exact opposite of everything that Holden Caulfield does in The Catcher in the Rye. I can however relate to Holden in a few ways, one of them being the fact that he is maturing throughout the book, and that I myself am also maturing. The maturity that is seen throughout the three days of the book is a great change, and I did not mature so fast, but I did in a more gradual but major way - everyday is a learning experience that contributes to my development as a person. I can also relate to the fact that Holden has siblings that he cares about, the deep affection that Holden feels for his deceased brother Allie is similar to what I feel towards my own brother Spencer. Not only do I share the fact that I have a little brother that I care for, but I also have a younger sister that I care about. So knowing the way Holden felt, I could definitely share the way Holden interacts and speaks about and to his siblings. The angst that Holden feels towards the world is extreme, he cusses and fights any type of authority does not comply with the rules, and chooses to not be just a regular teenage boy. I will admit that I have shown signs of teenage angst but it is not as extreme as Holden�s. Holden proves to not only be controversial in the story but also in real life, which is the not the way that I function. Holden proves to be deeply scarred due to struggles he has gone through in his time. So my personal response to the book was more shock along with some slight level of understanding, while my objective response was in awe of how an author could so effortlessly submerge a reader into a teenage boy�s life and accomplish this task so well. My objective response to the piece was unbiased in the sense that I did not judge the book because of Holden�s actions and thoughts. My objective response was also a positive one in the fact that I applaud the author for being able to describe the adventures of a troublesome teen trying to get by so detailed while keeping the audiences attention.

"Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules."
-Mr. Spencer

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