So heres the situation. I am watching every single vlogrbothers video from January 1st 2007 to about February 2009 when I began watching vlogbrothers. I'm up to October 22nd 2008. John has asked us to read The catcher and the Rye by J D Salinger up to chapter 15 and while we do so to critically anolyze it.

Now I haven't done this since I was at school and even then I didn't do that well at it. Seen as I don't know any English teachers I was wondering if you guys could help me out and teach me how to critically anolyze a book.

thanks very much for any help.

Identify the main themes evident in the plot, observe how the writer treats those themes, and discuss whether the methods the writer uses are effective in conveying those themes.

I know how to do the rest i guess but how do I identify a theme?

I dunno, it always came easy to me. Probably why I'm not a good teacher.

I guess you need a decent understanding of the social conditions of the historical timeframe, the writer's background and beliefs, but also general literal themes and human feelings.

I kinda get you now. So if its about a teenager id need to identify whether the themes are coming of age and or adolescence. Right?

Yes. You might also look at the character's disillusionment, how he reacts to authority, what really drives the character and what the author is trying to say through his actions.

Hint: pay attention to Caulfield's use of the word "phony" or "phoniness".

Or you could cheat and read the Sparknotes...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/

It helps to start by writing a brief summary of the story in your own words. This makes it easier to consider the structure of the entire novel.