Monday, September 2, 2019
Catcher in the Rye Essay: Themes of Society and Growing Up
Themes of Society and Growing Up in The Catcher in the Rye    In reading J.D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, one is compelled to have a very strong reaction to the contents of the book. Whether that reaction is negative or positive, it is unquestionable that the reader will give the novel a second thought after reading it. There could be many reasons why this novel has such an impact on the readers. It may be the use of Salinger's catchy slang phrases, bitingly sarcastic and usually negative, grabbing the attention of the reader. Another possibility is Holden, the novel's subject and lead character. "He describes everything as 'phony', is constantly in search of sincerity, and represents the first hero of adolescent angst"(Belcher). Or, it could be the originality of the perspective the book takes on the popular theme of the right of passage and the experience of growing up. Most likely, it was the overall tone of the book that incorporated all of these factors and combined them to form an inventi ve story line with a believable plot.                        Holden Caulfield, described in the book as around age sixteen, is a classic antihero type: full of negative opinions, rarely a gentleman, not exactly the best looking boy in his prep school, yet somehow deserving of some sympathy. Holden is a character who is said to be motivated by his hormones and his own personal opinions alone. Unfortunately for him, both of these aspects of his character often get him into trouble. However despite all of this, Holden is a character that most teenagers relate to in many ways because his feelings are genuine and problems easy to relate to.            When studying a piece of literature, it is meaningful ... ...d he was confused like everybody else. There is a line in the book where Holden actually says "I don't exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it." One wonders how the author could get away with saying something like that, but then one realizes that in actuality it is refreshingly different and almost a relief. The theme of the novel was a message about society and growing up. For Holden and for many others, it is too much to ask to live in a world where you have to catch yourself before you fall.  Works Cited Belcher, William F., and Lee, James E. J.D. Salinger and the Critics. 20th Sept. 1999 http://kirjasto.scifi/salinger.htm. Davis, Robert Con, ed. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 56. Detroit: Gail Research Inc., 1989. Stevenson, David. "J.D. Salinger: The Mirror of Crisis." The Nation, Vol. 184, No. 10, March 1957, 215-17.
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