ABSTRACT

The Catcher in the Rye by Jerome David Salinger renders a panoramic picture of an adolescent’s word, in which Salinger delicately traces Holden’s Odyssey from a physically and spiritually embittered adolescent to his eventual initiation into the society.
This thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter introduces the American writer Jerome David Salinger’s life and the novel The Catcher in the Rye, as well as the initiation story. Chapter two talks about Holden Caulfield’s paradox, confusion and rebellion in his growth. And then is Holden’s Epiphanies, the conclusion is following. 
This thesis argues that it is inevitable for adolescents to go through loneliness and pains in initiation, and adolescent should respond to all the challenges in life with optimism and especially make efforts to melt into society. In China, many young people are confronted with same issues like Holden’s in initiation. It is necessary for adults to pay more attention to adolescents throughout their initiation into maturity and provide them with more understanding and love. “To be a catcher in the rye” is not only Holden’s lofty ideal but also each adult’s responsibility.

Key words: The Catcher in the Rye    Initiation    Paradox  Confusion  Epiphany

摘 要

杰罗姆•大卫•塞林格的《麦田里的守望者》全景式地展现了青少年的内心世界，细致入微地描写了主人公霍尔顿从青春期的纠结到融入社会的成一长之旅。被誉为二十世纪美国文学的一部“现代经典”。
本论文分成三个部分来写。第一部分介绍了作者塞林格及其小说《麦田里的守望者》和成长理论。第二部分写的是小说的主人公霍尔顿在成长过程中的天真，困惑和反叛,及其霍尔顿的顿悟，最后是结论,体现出成长中不可避免的悖论。
论文认为，青少年在成长过程中会不可避免地经历孤独和痛苦，要乐观应对挑战，努力融入社会。中国的青少年也面临着与霍尔顿一样的成长问题。成年人应当更加关心青少年的成长，给予他们更多的理解和爱。“作一名麦田里的守望者”不仅仅是霍尔顿的理想，也是每个成年人的责任。

关键词：《麦田的守望者》  成长  悖论  困惑  顿悟