Why Catcher is so Catchy

Why is J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye still so relevant to teens half a century after publication? Throughout their academic careers, most young adults have come in contact with the controversial novel. How is this particular piece of literature so gripping that it can be analyzed and studied decades after being written? Understanding why the story is still picked-apart, debated over and studied will affirm it's prominence in American literature and youth culture. The relevancy of this novel is still very much alive today.

The historical background of the novel sets base to its success. "Two 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." Salinger incorporated the short stories into his novel, adding teenage grammar and slang of the 1950's. Catcher became "the most censored, banned and challenged book between 1966 and 1975." A book with such a reputation is bound to attract some attention. Written during the time of the Civil Rights Movement and Anti-Vietnam War Movement, the novel became a crusade of its own. The emergence of teen rebellion and youth culture was in its prime. Teens looked to the novel as a voice for their own personal rebellions. The perspective of the controversial novel looked strictly to a young teenage mind to drive the story.

Salinger's decision to put Holden in control of every thought and emotion forced the book to become solely character-driven. The twist comes when Holden's perspective turns out to be openly debatable. The hypocritical and cynical boy is caught in the fall from adolescence into the adult world. When a character in such a situation has the freedom to say only what they please, much of the story is left up to the imagination of the reader. This phenomenon intrigues younger readers and gives the story a new spin when read for the second time. Salinger has the ability to leave questions unanswered and incorporate interpretive symbolism. The red hunting hat that Holden purchases is symbolic and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Whether the hat symbolizes his insecurities, his uniqueness and individuality, or "mirrors the central conflict" he feels, is up for interpretation. All of these plausible interpretations are ones almost every teen encounters durning their adolescence. The Catcher in the Rye is a confusing title which helps attract its audience. Holden mistakenly hears the lyrics "when a body meets a body" for "when a body catches a body" in Robert Burns' song Comin' Thro' the Rye. This mistake gives the book its title and plays a crucial role in the story's greater meaning. With no true definitive answers to the symbolism, getting a grasp on the story deserves discussion. It's easy to understand why teachers and professors find the novel to be a worthwhile read for their maturing students. The desire to learn more about this disputable novel may have lead to its initial popularity with young adults.

The bulk of hype originally surrounding The Catcher in the Rye came from its many published reviews. Critics have praised and criticized the novel since its publication in 1951. Alfred Kazin's review states; "Salinger's vast public, I am convinced, is based merely on the number of young people who recognize their emotional problems in his fiction and their frustrated rebellions in the sophisticated language he manipulates so skillfully." Many reviewers agree with Kazin's view that the book is masterfully done and relatable to most teenagers. Other critics state that Holden is not only negatively repetitive, but he is a detraction for many readers. Holden's self-centered nature potentially obstructs the ability to establish any other characters on a deeper level. Besides his younger sister Phoebe, no other character is around long enough to significantly develop. Because Catcher is written in first person, the question of whether Holden is an over-developed character is frequently brought to the table. Holden may be over-developed in a sense, but he is such a complex person that it absolutely necessary for the novel's success. Many teens can identify with that fact that the focus never strays from Holden's twisted mind and his inner thoughts. It is written to monologue what he is feeling at that exact moment in time. For a teen, it is easy to connect to the frivolousness of his thoughts. Whether the reviews are positive or negative, with such a compelling main character and so many debates surrounding his disposition, The Catcher in the Rye is a must-read for all teens.

Holden Caulfield is one of the most complex and debatable figures in English literature. His negativity and self-loathing pulls the reader deeper and deeper into his world. Dislike towards his personality makes for a completely different perception of the overall story. How can you get so frustrated with main character but still want him to succeed? The complexity of his angst lays out common ground for almost every teen to relate to his emotions. His narcissistic and all-about-me attitude relates a sense of immaturity and raises question of his integrity. The obscurity of his persona is unique in the sense that the ending of the book twists his story in a whole new way. Is Holden merely writing to tell his side of the story or is it all fabricated to make us empathize with him? Holden's complexity causes him to appear shallow on the surface. He is hypocritical and rude, rebellious and angry, but also simply young, naive, and confused. Is Holden a hero? That question cannot and will not ever have an answer. His story hits home to some, and to others is just intriguing. Every teen perceives the Holden in a different light, causing vastly different opinions, none of which are incorrect. Salinger's ability to leave the door open for debate contributes to the legacy of The Catcher in the Rye.

When it comes down to it, Catcher in the Rye is a sensation in itself. Whether young or old, reading it for the first time or the twentieth, something about the story is capturing. The significance the actual book had on the emergence of the teen rebellion era cannot be measured. Speculation and controversy may have initially sparked interest but not many stories can detain relevancy half a century after being written. The story still holds true inside every teen searching for their true identity. This is an anomaly that will live on forever in its pages.