Literary Analysis Essay on "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Introduction

"The Catcher in the Rye" is novel by J.D. Salinger which influences generation Z. Salinger explores various themes such as a sense of belonging, depression and inauthenticity that are relevant in the contemporary world. The novel focuses on the main character Holden Caulfield who is seventeen years and has a passion for becoming a screenwriter" (Sasani & Javidnejat, 2015). The novel has portrayed the issue of perception, which affects most teens today. For instance, when youth faces challenges, they start assuming the world where they perceive is not fair for them. Some teens undermine moral codes and family values where they involve in smoking, promiscuity, sexual abuse, lying. Holden being an adolescent, is seen using vulgar language in school like lying. Thus, Salinger uses the character of Holden Caulfield to relate with the behaviours of adolescent since the themes of authenticity and artificiality are portrayed through social media in the contemporary world. Many users of social networking across the globe indicate inauthentic behaviour as they influence others perception by posting misleading images (Aubry, 2015). Hence, the essay focuses on how the character of Holden relates to teens today.

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How Does Holden Life Influence Teens Today

Holden Life Was Full of Depression

In the novel, Holden has been depressed, leading to lack of trust in the universe because he feels neglected. Holden is demoralized having loss his brother Allie due to a condition of Leukaemia an incidence which has to disturb him. The situation changes his perception of how he views the world where he builds a negative attitude and reactions about it. The novel portrays the modern dilemma that most teenagers face in everyday lives. The choice of withdrawing for the community and the lack of value of life indicate the imperfect sign of depression. In the contemporary world, depression has been a rampant risk to the adolescent due to stress-related to unemployment, poverty, family violence or alcohol and drug consumptions (Jing, 2015). Also, the loss of parents makes some teens to lose the morale of living and perceive the world as not favourable to them. Youths education or work empowerment so that they can realize their destiny and struggle towards attaining them. For example, an adolescent who is associated with delinquent behaviours like theft, prostitution and drug abuse in some instances, they experienced poverty, denial of violence in their families. Holden manifests how youth struggles with psychological and emotional problems, even in schools and households. For example, Holden views school as a place "where people sticks together in dirty goddam cliques, the basketball and Catholics lived together."

Holden Life and Hypocrisy

The novel reiterates the issue of hypocrisy, especially where Pencey "mould boys into splendid to become clear-thinking men" (Jing, 2015). Also, when Holden notices a six years child is walking singing in the street, he becomes happy as he relates with the authenticity of the scene, he says "a body catches a body via the rye" (Sasani & Javidnejat, 2015). In the contemporary world, the hypocrisy in the novel is manifested by the adolescent through social media. The role of the online platform is to share pictures, and videos create friends and a forum for socialization. However, many teens use social media as a place for a pretence to acquire honour and reputation. It has become a place where youth escape the realities through the photos they post to their friends and families. For example, people post the best pictures of their best moment, particularly during a trip, birthday party or honeymoon to manipulate others perceptions. It is a similar artificiality that makes Holden have disgust for phonies since he dislikes whatever pretends to become authentic (Jing, 2015). For example, some people become jealous while others lose self-esteem when they view photos of their friends through social media. They feel as if they are not loved or the society is not favouring them but in most cases, whatever posted via social media sites is not real.

Holden Loses the Sense of Belonging

Salinger portrays how Holden hates society until he decides on leaving the public locations and schools. For example, Holden says "I moved Elkton Hills since I was engulfed by phonies" (Priest, 2016). In most cases, teenagers face confusion in life which changes their perspectives and attitudes on how they perceive the situation. Salinger shows how all adolescent may become "phoney" as a mechanism to acquire acceptance and belonging. Some teenagers may loss belonging from their society when they withdraw themselves from others. For instance, Holden isolates from other people through terming them as phoney. Being lonely makes Holden start judging community since he lacks real friends and any group. Belonging to a particular members offers a feeling of acceptance and identity. Although sometimes one can enjoy being alone, having friends create more happiness. So, Holden has felt that he does not belong to anyone or society expect innocent people such as Jane or Phoebe. (Aubry, 2015). In some circumstances, adolescent loses their friends because they feel more worth or proud such as that their ways cannot match. For instance, when some youth becomes more educated, they decide to reject their past friends because some feel nothing they can share, but eventually, they end up missing those acquaintances. For example, Holden becomes desperate because he lacks someone to speak or share stories since he disliked the people he spent with but eventually he invites a cab driver for some cocktail to offer him company. Also, Holden is portrayed as a character who protects the innocent. For instance, Holden wanted to protect Phoebe, his younger sister, from everything seemed vile (Priest, 2016). It means that, in society today, youth needs protection against bad happenings like violence, theft, or any illicit acts which may corrupt their behaviour. Every child needs a mother who is protective and caring to enable him/her to cope with issues in society.

Conclusion

The novel, manifest themes of authenticity, belonging, and artificiality through the life of Holden and the lives of teenagers as well. The story focuses on issues adolescent experiences in life like depression, loss of belong and hypocrisy. In the book, Holden is not a lovable character because, throughout the story, he is seen complaining, indecisive and hate everyone. "The Catcher in the Rye" relates Holden role with the behaviours of teenagers in the contemporary world. Many adolescents live in frustrations and depression because they do not want to share their emotions or feelings with their friends or family members. For example, Holden does not want to associate with others even in school, although he is suffering from frustrations but describes people with various styles, activities and interest. Therefore, through the life of Holden, teens can realize the importance of not losing their belonging in the society by neglecting friends or family members because they may offer comfort during devastating situations. So, teenagers should realize the benefits of socialization, avoiding perceptions and sharing their feelings with friends or family members.

References

Aubry, T. (2015). The Catcher in the Rye: The voice of alienation. New York. NY: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Print. Retrieved from http://alanreinstein.com/site/213_Catcher_files/voice.of.alienation.aubry.pdf

Jing, J. I. N. G. (2015). Language Features in the Catcher in the Rye. Journal of Literature and Art Studies, 5(8), 601-605. Retrieved from http://davidpublisher.org/Public/uploads/Contribute/55d19d8b01ca7.pdf

Priest, B. (2016). The Catcher in the Rye and the ill member of the group: Holden Caulfield and adolescent development. Psychodynamic Practice, 22(3), 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1080/14753634.2016.1198273

Sasani, S., & Javidnejat, P. (2015). A Discourse of the Alienated Youth in the American Culture: Holden Caulfield in JD Salinger's the Catcher in the Rye. Asian Social Science, 11(15), 204. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n15p204