“Catcher In The Rye”, a novel written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, presents a deep exploration on the theme of alienation and isolation. Additionally, it delves into the challenges of maturing, societal pressure, and the uncompromising nature of existence. The timeless book has seen great popularity due to its unique narrative style and array of insightful and influential quotes. Below consist of some of the most remembered quotes readers have loved from this magnum opus.
Most Popular Quotes from “Catcher In The Rye”
- “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.”
- “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.”
- “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.”
- “People never notice anything.”
- “I don’t exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it.”
- “Who wants flowers when you’re dead? Nobody.”
- “It’s funny. All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they’ll do practically anything you want them to.”
- “I was trying to feel some kind of good-bye.”
- “I’m not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything.”
- “If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she’s late?”
- “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.”
- “Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior.”
- “It’s not too bad when the sun’s out, but the sun only comes out when it feels like coming out.”
- “That’s the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty you fall halfway in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are.”
- “People always think something’s all true.”
- “I like it when somebody gets excited about something. It’s nice.”
- “I don’t exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it.”
- “You don’t have to think too hard when you talk to a teacher.”
- “Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”
- “It’s really too bad that so much crumby stuff is a lot of fun sometimes.”
The novel is celebrated for its profound insight into the human mind and condition. These quotes reflect on the innate human characteristics and present a realistic portrayal of life, making “Catcher In The Rye” a true classic.