The beauty of Catcher in the Rye lies not in the plot nor in the technique the author, J. Salinger, uses to tell his story, but in the depth of the character of Holden Caulfield. Any Grade 10 English class could spend ages just analyzing the complexity of this 17-year-old boy. Most will describe him as an insecure and troubled (possibly insane) teenager with mental and emotional issues that need to be worked out. I think these flaws of his just add to the intrigue of his personality. Is Holden not just an average teenager with flaws possibly exaggerated for a simple kick for the story?.
Holden, in my opinion, is an amazing character. He is a rebel at heart with the gift of a sense of humor (satirical or not). He picks up easily on the flaws of humans in general, never mind that he has fatal flaws of his own. He is a free-spirited, non-conformist bohemian who questions authority and avoids the mainstream. Wouldn't the world be a little better if we were each a little more like Holden? Or at least, if we were more accepting towards the controversial likes of his?.
I believe this novel was controversial not because of its "freelance- style of writing nor because of the risqué topics the author covered, but because, for once, Holden was not a character you could put your finger on. You could not describe him in one word, let alone in one sentence. People, generally, can not seem to be able to agree on what kind of person he is. You cannot classify him into a certain group of people.
Of course, there will always be backlash against controversial work. And it was even more controversial in the 50's. But I suppose, with the backlash, the counter-backlash was that people began to idolize either Holden or the novel. It was something new and exciting. And whether or not it was well written, people liked it, which is what matters in the end.
My first impression of the novel was that it was depressing.
So what is Catcher in the Rye really about??? ... So what is The Catcher in the Rye actually about? ... "The Catcher in the Rye" is a story of an emotionally disturbed young sixteen year old boy named Holden Caulfield. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. ... John Hinkley may have been trying to impress Jody Foster, but he was also a big Catcher in the Rye fan. ...
Catcher in the Rye The American Dream for family will greatly vary between people, as it should. ... In the Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
In the novel Catcher in the Rye Holden is a character that has many idealistic thoughts. ... Holden tells Phoebe about a dream of wanting to be the catcher in the rye. ... Holden had to let go of his ideal about being the catcher in the rye because it was not realistic. ...
The Catcher In The Rye J.D. Salinger The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. ... The Catcher In The Rye was a somewhat ironic title, occurring twice throughout the book. ... Haden replies that he wants to be the "catcher" in the rye. ... Once you have read The Catcher In The Rye we are reminded of the innocence of youth. ...
Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is frequently being banned from high schools. ... Although it does contain invective speech and sexual connotations, The Catcher in the Rye by J. ... It may be obvious why so many high schools are banning Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. ... Another cardinal notion for teenagers who are entering adulthood is the central theme of The Catcher in the Rye, the loss of innocence. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. (173) When Holden divulges that he wishes to be the catcher in the rye, he is unveiling his desire to protect childhood...
"The Catcher in the Rye" Reflection The title "The Catcher in the Rye" is to symbolize how Holden wants to protect the innocence of little kids. In the novel he told Phoebe that he wants to be the catcher in the rye, he would stand at the edge of a cliff as children play around with him, and he would catch them before they ran too close to the cliff. ... Salinger called the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" because it signifies how even though Holden is the way he is; he still has the innocence of a little child inside of him. ...
The Catcher in the Rye has been called one of the greatest pieces of American literature throughout the 1950's. ... I have to say that there is a possibility that The Catcher in the Rye is a bad influence on young children. ... The book The Catcher in the Rye exemplifies how difficult it can be for some teens' life. ... On the other hand, the book The Catcher in the Rye really does not go far from the boundary. ... The Catcher in the Rye is a classic book that has been read in high schools all across the world. ...
