J.D Salinger’s masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye, is a classic literary novel about the cynical life of Holden Caulfield. Holden is a sixteen-year old dropout who decides to roam the streets of New York because he doesn’t want to confront his parents about this dreaded news. The novel became a bestseller in 1951, and it is widely regarded as one of the Great American novels of all time. The question, however, is why would you read this book, and why is it still relevant in the year of 2021? Surely, the story is just about an angsty teenager who thinks that everybody is a phony?
Not in the slightest. The novel actually transcends generation after generation; “Even though our world has changed dramatically from the 50’s and we are technically even more connected, the feelings of isolation/loneliness are probably just as prevalent,” an anonymous reader of the book said.
Holden speaks the thoughts of the distressed teenagers who are struggling to grow up; Holden Caulfield is perplexed by the superficiality of the adult world, confused as to how he is going to conform from the childish innocence he desperately wants to keep. He is an outsider, a boy who believes the status quo is inherently wrong. “People always clap for the wrong thing.” (Rye 94)
J.D Salinger clearly portrays loneliness and existentialism in his novel, two common things that are present in our COVID era — especially teenagers. We are living in unusual times and there is this absolute sense of hopelessness that characterizes us. The fact that we are by ourselves, not able to see the friends that we always cherished, makes us feel lonely and deprived. Anxiety has amplified; unfortunately, suicide rates have increased as well, reflecting the level of depression that the isolation has caused. “These feelings are universal and we can all relate to them regardless of outer appearances, especially during the vulnerable teenage years,” an anonymous person said.
Holden is part of this bubble; his want for connection is shown when he wishes to meet the author of his favorite novel. “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you like it.” (Rye 22)
Our modern era is filled with superficiality. We have Instagram pages that hold no connection to a person’s actual character in real life. We have a media that posts the wrong story, blood-thirsty for ratings. We have politicians who swindle the truth.
In fact, Holden Caulfield would think that our modern society is unlivable. He calls these types of people “phonies,” a term used to describe an actor . . . or a person who acts a certain way for social recognition. “Now [my brother is] out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s the movies. Don’t even mention them to me.” (Rye 4)
Many critics have viewed the book as rhetorical nonsense, and the public perception of it is controversial; while it is a renown classic, many schools actually barred it because of its sexual references and drinking habits throughout the novel. Holden curses . . . a lot.
The novel, however, is misunderstood as a story that is simply about a deprived youngster. The truth of the matter is that the story is ingenious. For some, Holden is derogatory, but he is an exact representation of the adolescent who feels like an outsider. Imagine the times when you feel like nobody understands you and you feel like other people act archaic.
The hard truth is that most people between the ages of thirteen to eighteen feel and think this way. “Even though I read this as a teen, I couldn’t put it down. Some aspects I resonated with are the time period; there’s a part of me that longs for simpler times pre-tech age; and [Holden Caulfield’s] ability to accurately capture the universal feelings of isolation/loneliness especially during that age,” an anonymous person said.
HealthyChildren.org posted an article about the signs of declining mental health for teenagers. Signs of this include fussiness, mood swings, and concentration, just to name a few. The picture of the teenager isn’t the happy-go-lucky guy who always has a bright smile on his face, which is exactly why The Catcher in the Rye is so relevant–because it is relatable.
J.D Salinger would agree, as he also dropped out of many preparatory schools. People who truly knew him thought that he was quite reserved, usually in the background. In fact, according to biography.com when he did become famous, selling The Catcher in the Rye for 60 million copies in its debuts, he decided to leave a life of fame for the calm solitude of privacy by living outside-the-grid–similar to Holden Caulfield when he was talking to his girl, Sally. “What we could do is, tomorrow morning we could drive up to Massachusetts and Vermont, and all around there, see. It’s beautiful as hell up there. It really is.” (Rye 146)
This review only delves into a minute detail of the whole novel. If you want to get the whole piece of the pie, you have to read the book. If you feel like humanity is against you and you are dealing with a lot of issues in your life, take the time to sit down and read The Catcher in the Rye. It can make you feel alone. According to a study from Bustle.com, reading alleviates loneliness by making you feel as if you belong with the characters in the novel. You will find Holden immature, narcissistic, and sarcastic, but you will feel less alone while reading it.
If you don’t read this book, well, you’re a good-for-nothing phony.
Link to Goodreads: The Catcher in the Rye
Sources:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Signs-your-Teen-May-Need-More-Support.aspx
https://www.bustle.com/p/reading-can-alleviate-loneliness-for-a-very-specific-reason-according-to-a-new-study-9916003
https://www.biography.com/writer/jd-salinger
