Holden is only sixteen years old, and therefore still lacks adult experience, maturity, and knowledge of how the real world works.
The primary reason the book is relatable to young adults of today is the large factor of Holden’s unrestricted independence and lack of any adult guidance. Throughout the novel, the reader can very much tell that the thought processes and decision making skills displayed by the main character are those of a teenage brain. However in most scenarios, I was not able to truly compare myself or my own experiences to those of Caulfield’s. As a young man myself, in a few ways it was possible for me to relate and see eye-to-eye with Holden. Today, for teenage readers of the novel in 2019, the book may be a bit overwhelming and possibly even confusing. So, Holden packs up his bags and leaves Pencey Prep and catches a to venture up to New York City for a “vacation of his own.” Throughout the majority of the book, the reader follows Holden along on his experiences, (both good and bad), that he faces during his time in New York. Therefore, Holden’s lack of care to succeed in school leads to him being “given the ax,” or kicked out of the school. Holden struggles with coming to the realization of the fact that everyone in his surroundings is phony and is only out for the well-being of themselves.īecause of this mindset, Holden finds it difficult to develop friendships and relationships with his peers and struggles to maintain happiness, regularity, and structure within his daily life.Īlthough Holden is an intelligent young man, his grades and academic performance do not reflect that claim due to his lack of effort and disinterest in schoolwork. Because of Holden’s mental and emotional instability, academics and nearly all other aspects of his life are a challenge for him to succeed in. Holden attends an all-boys boarding school called Pencey Prep, which he is not very fond of. The Catcher in The Rye centers around the life and journey of one main character by the name of Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old student who carries around with him a significant amount of mental and emotional baggage. However, the book’s central themes of phoniness, social isolation, and adolescence quickly made it a top literary choice for teenagers and young adults around the world. Salinger in the late 1940’s and published in the early 1950’s, was originally written geared toward the audience of adult readers. While The Catcher in The Rye’s setting took place over 65 years ago, it still remains somewhat relevant in many ways of today’s society. I miss rushing out the door like a mad-man at 7:13AM every morning, revving up that Honda, and *safely* speeding off to school.
I miss watching the 76ers and being able to analyze all their games. I miss being able to go to a friend’s house.
I miss being able to go places without the risk of catching a disease. I miss taking my trips to Wawa two or three times a week.
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