Catcher in the Rye by Jerome David Salinger is a story in which Holden Caulfield, the narrator and hero of the tale, begins the narrative in his former boarding school, Pencey Prep, in Agerstown. Most of the story thereafter takes place in New York City during the Christmas season. The substantial setting of the story is quite significant, because it exemplifies Holden's loneliness in New York. Overall, this novel develops as a memoir of Holden's thoughts that ultimately culminate in his story. The literary elements of the novel are also presented in harmony with the plot. This allows J.D. Salinger to provide readers with a series of messages that are firmly presented through his use of both literary and rhetorical devices. The novel begins by establishing that Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy, has already dropped out of 3 schools and is on the verge of failing his fourth, Pency Prep. He presents himself as a very gloomy and dejected boy. "Catcher in the Rye", written in slang, takes its title from the line of a Robert Burns song. Holden Caulfied misquotes this phrase while recycling himself as a "picker in the rye", tasked with keeping the world's children from losing their innocence. Holden expresses everything as false and relentlessly searches for authenticity. He is the symbolization of an early hero of teenage angst, but full of life. There are messages such as: teenage depression, coming of age/adulthood, loneliness, living life as you make it, self-esteem, and growing pains during adolescence. These points are made throughout the book by Salinger's literary devices such as perspective and plot, and rhetorical devices such as imagery. The effect that these devices give involves the attraction... at the center of the paper... the acts of the novel. He narrates in the first person, recounting what he witnesses and experiences, and provides his observations on the events and people he describes. Since the setting is in the past, its tone oscillates between disgust, skepticism, acrimony and desire. Holden begins his story in his former school called Pencey Prep in Pennsylvania. The themes are alienation, loneliness, depression and difficulties. The main symbols evident in the story are the “catcher in the rye,” the Museum of Natural History, and the ducks in the pond in Central Park. The main argument in Holden's consciousness comes through Salinger's choice of one-sided diction and tone. In addition to effective use of literary and rhetorical devices, Jerome David Salinger created success in “Catcher” by describing the story for readers, rather than to them..