Abstract

The Catcher in the Rye is a typical Bildungsroman. The author Salinger firmly follows the structure of such genre: innocence —temptation —leave —ordeal —puzzlement —epiphany— loss of innocence —knowledge of life and self-discovery. This structure shows the readers the confusion and rebellion of an adolescent boy, Holden, in this novel. Firstly, this paper introduces the definition of Bildungsroman, the life story of Salinger and the summary of The Catcher in the Rye. Secondly, this paper has analyzed the novel under the structure of a Bildungsroman to show Holden’s complex personality. Finally, this paper discusses the influence of the book in China.

Key words:  The Catcher in the Rye, Holden, Bildungsroman
 
摘要

《麦田里的守望者》是一篇标准的成长类型小说。作者塞林格紧扣成长类型小说的结构，即天真—诱惑—出走—迷惘—考验—失去天真—顿悟—认识人生和自我，为读者展示了一个即将进入成人世界的青春期男孩的迷惘与反叛。本论文首先介绍了成长类型小说的定义、作者塞林格和《麦田里的守望者》的故事梗概。接着，从成长类小说结构分析主人公霍尔顿的复杂性格。最后，介绍了本书在中国的影响。

关键词：《麦田里的守望者》；霍尔顿；成长类型小说

1.    Introduction
Bildungsroman is a German term signifying “novel of formation” or “novel of education”. The subject of these novels is the development of the protagonist’s mind and character, in the passage from childhood through varied experiences—and often through a spiritual crisis—into maturity, which usually involves recognition of one’s identity and rile in the world (Abrams 229). What is more, according to Mordecai Marcus¹, initiation story or the novel of initiation is the basic name of the Bildungsroman.