The Catcher in the Rye was a historical fiction based partially on the life and times of the author, J.D. Salinger. Though it was not a true biography of his life, there are similarities that lead to the conclusion that Salinger had a specific purpose of self-expression when he created the concept for this book, even if the specific details aren't that of himself or an actual person. .
The Catcher in the Rye begins when Holden Caulfield goes to visit one of his teachers before he has to leave the school since he was kicked out. Holden decides to leave the school early and use the Christmas money and other money he has saved up to go to New York for a while until it would be time for him to come home. Holden was kicked out of Pencey Prep School for not having the grades and this is not the first time this has occurred. He fears that his parents will be disappointed in him and because of that, when he goes to New York, he stays in hotels rather than going straight home. The book describes Holden's days in New York and the people he meets. Interesting events such as when he gets mugged in his hotel room and when he is molested by one of his former teachers all drive Holden farther and farther away from the normal views of society of that time, which is towards the late 40's and 50's. Holden often acts in a manner that isn't quite normal, for both now and then. He frequently acts as though he was someone else, or a character in a story or novel. Such as the time in his hotel room when he acts as if he was shot and stumbles around, running into things and speaking like it was his last breath. Holden also often creates these grand plans of moving away and completely separating himself from society, sometimes, such as the case with Sally Hayes, when he said that he loved her and wanted to move up north with her and they would live together and have children and live away from everyone else and teach their kids on their own.