The coming-of-age story has been a staple of popular media for as long as people have been storytelling. From Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” to Pixar’s “Turning Red,” the idea of leaving the security of adolescence has continually resonated with audiences of all different ages and backgrounds. Due to its prevalence, the genre is saturated with cookie-cutter plot structures and cardboard characters, and it can be difficult to distinguish the sincere from the pandering.
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger serves as the standard for what an honest coming-of-age story should be and has maintained its status as a classic in the over 70 years since its publication due to its inventive and unapologetic look at adolescence.
Told from the perspective of recently-expelled high schooler Holden Cauffield, the novel follows his brief stint of independence as he avoids confronting his uncertain future. He wanders around Manhattan encountering a cast of disparate characters, each one reinforcing his view of the adult-world as a harsh place filled to the brim with “phonies.”
Holden has gained a reputation as one of the most grating characters in literature, with many people finding the book difficult to get through due to his questionable decision-making and repetitive criticism of the world around him.
The root of this annoyance comes from Holden’s hypocrisy: he gets mad at his classmate for “necking” with a girl in his car, and then spends days trying to find intimacy with a woman, pestering old friends and eventually enlisting a prostitute.
However, this hypocrisy ends up being one of the most interesting things about the novel. The irony of being a hypocrite who hates hypocrites reveals the confusing and contradictory nature of adolescence. The things that people find detestable are the things they hate to see in themselves, and as one grows and changes, it can be extremely difficult to foster an identity without a hint of self-loathing.
Ultimately, Holden is a kid lost in a world much bigger than himself. He sees the adult world as a precipice that children fling themselves off of, a plunge into a loss of innocence, and in turn, a loss of life. The novel’s title comes from Holden’s desire to “catch” these wayward kids, seeing himself as their protector, wanting to keep them in the security of childhood. The titular fantasy plainly shows his own fears about growing up, wishing there was someone there to comfort and protect him.
These themes of disorientation and uncertainty make the novel perfect for any high schooler. Whether you’re starting a new summer job, getting out of a relationship or preparing to enter adulthood, chances are Holden’s struggles resonate with you, and there may be some revelations to be had reading about his experience.
A fairly high-quality PDF is available online for those looking for a taste of the style, and
a copy of the novel can be found in East’s library. Six copies can be found at the Chapel Hill Public Library and can be bought online for less than $4.
Photo Courtesy of Little, Brown.
