Top 10 Catcher in the Rye Quotes

Life is a game that one plays according to the rules - J. D. Salinger quote In Game

“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”
“Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it.”
Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right – I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.

– J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye. Chapter 2. Exchange between Holden and his history teacher Mr. Spencer who talks to him about playing the game of life by the rules. Both have cynical views about society and the world. Out loud and to his face Holden agrees with Mr. Spencer, but in his head he curses him. Holden feels isolated and looks upon the rich kids at his schools at “phonies.”
That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all - J. D. Salinger quote In Kids

Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around – nobody big, I mean – except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff – I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be.

– J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield in Chapter 22. The most famous passage in Salinger’s novel, which gives it its title. It speaks of Holden’s wish and his fantasy to be the rescuer of all the children who might suffer in their lives.
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