The Catcher In the Rye is a great piece of American Literature. Ever since its publication in
             1951, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye has served as a firestorm for controversy and debate.
             Critics have argued the moral issues brought on by the book and the context in which it is
             presented. Some critics have argued that Salinger's tale of the human condition is fascinating and
             enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The psychological battles of the novel's main character,
             Holden Caulfield, serve as the basis for critical argument. Caulfield's self-destruction over a period
             of days forces one to contemplate society's attitude toward the human condition. Salinger's
             portrayal of Holden, which includes incidents of depression, nervous breakdown, impulsive
             spending, sexual exploration, vulgarity, and other erratic behavior, have all attributed to the
             controversial nature of the novel. Yet the novel is not without its sharp advocates, who argue that
             it is a critical look at the problems facing American youth during the 1950's. When developing a
             comprehensive opinion of the novel, it is important to consider the praises and criticisms of The
             Two of J.D. Salinger short stories, "I'm Crazy" and "Slight Rebellion off Madison," were
             published in periodicals during the 1940's, and introduced Holden Caulfield, the main character of
             The Catcher in the Rye. Both short stories were revised for later inclusion in Salinger's novel. The
             Catcher in the Rye was written in a literary style similar to prose, which was enhanced by the
             teenage slang of the 1950's. It is a widespread belief that much of Holden Caulfield's candid
             outlook on life reflects issues relevant to the youth of today, and thus the novel continues to be
             used as an educational resource in high schools throughout the nation (Davis 317-18).
             Before his novel, J.D. Salinger was of basic non-literary status, having written for years
             without notic...