Holden Leaves Pencey example essay topic

There are six parts to a plot of a book. These are the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. I'm sure there is no set way to diagram "The Catcher in the Rye", but I believe the following is accurate. In the very beginning of "The Catcher in the Rye", we are given some background information on the setting and situation, and of course Holden Caulfield, the protagonist.

We learn that Holden attends Pencey Preparatory, an elite college preparatory school in Agers town, Pennsylvania. There is also Holden's brother D.B., who we are not introduced to but are given some information about him. D.B. is a writer who moved to Hollywood with all the "phonies", as Holden called them. This disclosure of vital background information is called the exposition. Next, we are told the conflict which is that Holden is being expelled from Pencey because of his very poor grades.

Although he is supposed to leave in a few days, Holden decides to leave early and venture to New York City. Since his parents are under the impression he will be home on Wednesday and not Saturday, Holden has to fend for himself in New York City for a few days without much money. The rising action is the part of the book that begins with the onset of the conflict up until the climax. During the rising action, many events occur. Holden leaves Pencey and takes a train to New York City. During this part of the book, the infamous scene with the prostitute, Sunny, occurs.

As a result of his encounter with the prostitute, Holden is nearly killed by her pimp, Maurice, over a dispute about money. Towards the end of the rising action, Holden decides to break into his apartment to see his sister, Phoebe. He arrive there and they chat, but Holden is still in his sister's room when his parents get home. He eventually escapes through the fire escape. In this section Phoebe also learns of Holden's scheme to move away from New York.

The climax of the story occurs when Holden meets his sister in the Museum of Natural History. This section is the climax because it is when Phoebe tells Holden that she wants to come with him on his expedition to find a job and build a log cabin. This is also where Holden finds the same expletive scribbled on the wall that was on a wall in Phoebe's school. The falling action is from the time Phoebe refuses to talk to Holden till they get to the carousel. During the falling action Phoebe is angry because Holden will not let her come with him on his trip.

She doesn't talk to him or walk on the same side of the street as he does until they reach the carousel. Once they reach the carousel, the resolution occurs when Holden agrees not to leave his family and move away. Once Holden agrees to leave, Phoebe pulls a one-eighty and decides to love her brother again.