User:Bigmiche/student draft of Cather in the Rye

Characters

 * Holden is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. Holden has some psychological and social issues that he has trouble with. He attends Pencey Academy in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. He criticizes other character often of being phony and shallow, which some may see as being hypocritical.


 * Phoebe is Holden’s caring and beloved sister. At the age of ten, she shows great intelligence and is very understanding. Holden enjoys being able to discuss problems with her.


 * Jane is a long-time acquaintance of Holden’s. She attends school at Pencey Academy, and lives in the dorm building next to Holden’s. They meet on and off campus and Holden tries to befriend her. Jane isn't sure about her feelings for Holden.


 * Alley is Holden’s younger brother, who is now deceased. Holden thinks about him quite often.


 * Stradlater is Holden’s roommate. He is one of the popular kids at Pencey who gets the ladies and is confident in himself.


 * Ackley is a student at Pencey Academy, and lives a dorm room down from Holden. Ackley appears to be rather anti-social upon introduction, and is not made out to be very attractive. He does not like many of the people at Pencey.


 * Sally Hayes is an attractive college girl that one of Holden’s friends introduces him to. Holden and Sally go out on dates.


 * Old Spencer is a retired history teacher at Pencey Academy

Background
In the book you are not reading about Holden but about "the shrieks of desperation" from a 31 year old Salinger who had his chilhood and manhood tooken away from him by traumas from World War II. Salinger himself was a "loner" and lived secluded since 1953. He was a "psychologically damaged man". Salinger had only a small group of loyal friends just like Holden.