Abstract: The Catcher in the Rye, published in 1951, is J. D. Salinger’s first and single novel. It enjoyed the immediate popularity in America soon after its publication. Hence, Salinger became the “spokesman” of the American youth during the 1950s and early 1960s. The novel is a most controversial work, though it may be the most widely read novel, it had been banned several times. This novel gives a full expression of the barren spiritual lives of the Americans after the Second World War. The protagonist has resisted the society in a negative way---rebellion, and has tried every way to seek help to reach self-salvation, though he ends up compromising with the society. This thesis aims to analyze and comment on the protagonist Holden. It is divided into three parts. Part One gives a brief overview on J. D. Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye, lists the critical reviews on The Catcher in the Rye both at home and abroad, and makes clear the purpose and significance of this research. Part Two makes a detailed description and analysis of Holden’s Rebellion and Self-salvation. Part three, by summarizing the contents mentioned above, concludes that in a society full of indifference and phoniness, Holden is doomed to fail by seeking help to reach self-salvation.
Key words: The Catcher in the Rye; Holden; Rebellion; Self-salvation
摘要：《麦田里的守望者》发表于1951年,是杰·戴·塞林格的唯一一部长篇小说。该小说一经问世，便风靡全美。也因为该小说，塞林格成了五十年代及六十年代初美国青年的“代言人”。但同时这部小说也颇具争议，它曾在校园里广为流传，却又多次遭禁。这部小说描述了二战后美国广大人民精神生活的日渐贫乏。主人公以消极的方式对现实进行了反抗，也寻求过对自己的救赎，但最终不得不与现实妥协。本文旨在分析评论主人公霍尔顿，文章分为三个部分。论文的第一部分介绍杰·戴·塞林格的生平、写作生涯、《麦田里的守望者》的故事情节,列举目前国内外文学界对《麦田里的守望者》的研究现状,并阐明本研究的目的和意义；第二部分详细地分析了霍尔顿的反叛和自我救赎，反映一个中产阶级子弟在繁荣的都市文明下的无助，经历了反抗却未能找到一条光明的出路；最后本文总结为：在冷漠伪善充斥的社会，霍尔顿想要寻求帮助以达到自我救赎的目的是徒然的。
关键词：《麦田里的守望者》；霍尔顿；反叛；自我救赎
