Why The Catcher in the Rye? (Part One)

I read this book at the perfect time in my life... When Salinger passed away in 2010 I was in 6th grade, because of all the news coverage and of my love for reading, I went down to my school library and asked where I could find the book. The librarian said that they didn't even have it in their catalog. I was confused, but forgot about it until freshman year of High School. Knowing that it was part of the Junior year curriculum, I put off reading it. I know for a fact that if I had read The Catcher in the Rye any earlier I would not have understood or enjoyed it. Any later, I would not have related as much, if at all.

My own little sketch of Holden in his red hunting cap

What do I think the story is about? For me, the story is about human behavior and the transition from child to adulthood. To most readers, Holden is very unlikable. But it is not an author's responsibility to create likeable character. In order to fully understand Holden Caulfield you have to had been him once in your life. (Most of my favorite books are like this) Holden is very flawed and you are waiting for him during the duration of the novel to become the hero of his own story. His complex, restricted and skewed view of the world has him trapped and, because we don't know much about his past, we don't know why or how he got to be this way.

My favorite element of the story is how Salinger gives Holden's narrative a stream of consciousness sound. It makes him more real and makes you want to keep listening. Everyone likes to hear a good story. A novel like this is not just about the story or plot, but more about who it is happening to and how their brain works. How they think, feel and relate to the people in the world around them.

I find it confusing and alarming that some people can’t identify with the story. Salinger has provided the reader with many mirrors throughout. Even now, after I have read the book more times than I would like to admit, I find myself having to pause and reflect on my own life in new places every time.

I have added onto the title of this post “Part One” because I want to write more about the symbols.I just love them, as silly as that probably sounds. 

Kayla Audrey- Week 4