The Catcher in the Rye
Ever since this novel was published in 1951, it has been shrouded incontroversy. Author J.D. Salinger was born in New York City in 1919, andlived in a stylish neighborhood as the son of a wealthy cheese importer.Salinger's body of work includes many short stories and compellations, but"The Catcher in the Rye" remains his only full-length novel. Critically,the book has also remained his finest and most controversial work.Salinger attempted to incorporate the youth's values and slang of the dayinto the work, which made it much too sensual for some readers. Manycommunities banned the book when it was released, and it continues to bebanned in some areas today because of its strong language and sexual Salinger himself has presented as controversial a figure as his work.After the critical praise (and criticism) of "The Catcher in the Rye,"Salinger wrote regular short stories for several publications, includingthe venerable New Yorker, but never reached the pinnacle of "Catcher."While the book has remained popular throughout its nearly continualpublication, Salinger's reputation is not nearly so unsullied. During the1960s, his notoriety and popularity began to fade, and Salinger be
Wouldn't we all' Holden muses to Phoebe, And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. Perhaps his English teacher, Mr. Even Phoebe realizes this is not possible, and tells him he has the quotewrong, it is not the catcher in the rye, but a body "coming" through therye, thereby dashing Holden's last fantasy, and clearly pointing out Holdenis nothing more than an "immature man. "The Catcher in the Rye" could be called a coming of age novel, with17-year old protagonist Holden Caulfield setting off on his own in thenovel. Phoebecan be ultimately and childishly happy riding the carousel, but Holden iscaught between her childish world, and the adult world, and the realizationdrives him over the edge, which ultimately leads to his recovery. This novelcharacterizes the three stages of Narrative Intention quite graphically,from Holden's self-realization that he has failed again at school, to hisapocalypse in the Edmont, and his communality at the end, where hediscovers he fits in a mad, mad, world. In conclusion, Holden's quest to find himself is a classic use ofNarrative Intentions. Spencer, tells him prophetically at thebeginning of the novel, "'Life is a game, boy. He caustically notesas he stands on the hill watching the football game, "The more expensive aschool is, the more crooks it has - I'm not kidding" (Salinger 4). Holden sees himself as a savior, but in fact, his life is empty andmeaningless, and his quest for meaning leads him not to love or salvation,but into madness and a total mental breakdown. He isa boy, looking for himself in a world where he is not ready to fit in, andhis quest leads him finally to his sister, who is truly happy, while Holdenis truly not. This realization sends him toManhattan for his lost, long weekend, and begins his final descent intomadness and despair. His self-realization of these things help drive him over theedge of that "crazy cliff," and into the oblivion of the adult world, whereeverything is "phony," and everyone must play the game or go mad. Not only is this the fourth schoolto expel him, it seems to be his last enduring hope, even though he iscontemptuous of the school and his close associates. gan toturn into at least a part of his protagonist, Holden Caulfield.
Common topics in this essay:
Pencey Prep,
That's I'd,
Narrative Intentions,
Ultimately Holden,
Edmont Hotel,
Catcher Rye,
Park South,
Hell Holden,
Rye Salinger,
Holden Caulfield,
catcher rye,
holden caulfield,
coming age,
adult world,
protagonist holden caulfield,
fourth school,
protagonist holden,
narrative intention,
book remained,
world holden,
meaning life,
coming age novel,
edge crazy cliff,
holden tragic figure,
|
Acceptance Essays
