A Deconstructive Study Of The Catcher In The Rye

The Catcher in the Rye is the representative work of J.D.Salinger published in 1951.Holden Caulfield,the novel’s protagonist is a 16-year-old boy from New York City.He is recently flunked out of the prestigious boarding school and wanders in New York for three days.The Catcher in the Rye is a first-person narration from Holden Caulfield’s point of view,and an exact record of his thought flowing.This thesis,based on Derrida’s deconstructive theory,analyzes three pairs of binary oppositions in The Catcher in the Rye,and points out Salinger’s opinion on children’s innocence,multi-dimensional values and heroism.The introduction is mainly about J.D.Salinger,The Catcher in the Rye,and Derrida’s deconstructive theory,which provides the background information and a theoretical ground for further analysis.Chapter one to three are a deconstructive interpretation of binary oppositions in The Catcher in the Rye,including children and adults,obedience and rebellion,and heroes and anti-heroes.In these chapters,the author points out that children can be innocent and cunning at the same time,and adults can be both hypocritical and virtuous.Holden’s controversial behavior is another focus.He respects his teachers,has great enthusiasm on reading,and loves his parents and family.However,he is violent and always tells lies to people.In the last chapter,the discussion about heroes and anti-heroes is based on Holden and professor Antolini.Through the research of three pairs of binary oppositions,the thesis reveals Salinger’s progressive thinking on children’s innocence,multi-dimensional values,and heroes,with a hope to open a new window for the reader to reread this classical novel,also to explore The Catcher in the Rye from a deconstructive prospective,which will contribute to exploring its profound practical significance.