For my AP Literature class, we read a book called The Catcher in the Rye which was one of my favorite books I have read this year. What really caught my attention about the book was that I could really relate to it. The whole theme was about being scared to grow up, not only that, but also being faced with problems like family and with one's self. Even though the book was fictional, it had many realistic events that any person may recognize.

In the book, Holden, the protagonist was faced with his younger brothers' death, Allie. He was really affected by having someone really close to him pass away and didn't understand why it happened. His brother passing didn't affect him just emotionally, but physically as well, because that night that Allie died he broke every window in the garage. In addition, Holden had to deal with his family not getting along with one another. He wasn't getting any support from anyone so he had to deal with everything going on in his life on his own. He didn't want to disappoint his parents, but yet he wasn't doing good either. Holden had a hard time with being able to let go of his past and just growing up and being someone else. Through all these events in his life, he still pulled through and at the end he realized that life goes on and he can't be stuck in the past, but has to try and live the future at the same time. In conclusion, reading this book helped me grow intellectually because not only have I realized that I was someone like Holden at a point in my life, but also that I have a broader perspective about life. I lost my uncle which I was really close to and loved very much. I had problems in school and with my family, which had a big impact on the way I acted and the way I thought. I was also unhappy with the person that I was and had difficulties leaving the past. This book pointed out the fact that I'm not the only one with problems, but that there is someone else out in the world living with the same difficulties and overcoming many obstacles. This intellectual wisdom will be important in my life, because it taught me how to see the postives aspects of the negative.

Vanessa Ramos

Email:

vlramos@yahoo.com