What is life going to be like after being kicked out of high school? The novel “The Catcher In The Rye” by J.D. Salinger is the story of a teenage boy, Holden Caulfield, and his life after being kicked out of highschool. The novel has sold more than 65 million copies, being popular primarily among the adolescent populace. However, some parents and teachers think this novel has a bad influence on teenagers because of the vulgar language and concepts used in the bestseller. There are reasons for this success, primarily the relatability of its main protagonist, the emphasis of strong themes, and the demonstration of amazing writing techniques. Firstly, the personality of Holden Caulfield is realistic and relatable. There are many characteristics …show more content…
Death is a common theme in this novel. There are times when Holden thinks about suicide, or imagines himself bleeding from a gut wound, or claims that he would happily die in a war. “If there's ever another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will” (156) He wanted to get away from the adult’s phony world. Sex confusion is another theme emphasized in the novel. It’s not unusual for teenagers to be concerned about sex, but Holden is especially concern about it. “In my mind, I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you've ever saw” (70), “Most of the time when you’re coming pretty close to doing it with a girl---a girl isn’t a prostitute or anything, I mean-- she keeps telling you to stop. The trouble with me is, I stop. Most guy don't. I can’t help it” (103). This shows that Holden had mixed feeling about how he should respond to them. Finally, Child world versus Adult world which is related to Holden's attitude toward children and his resistance towards the adult world. “If a white girl was singing it, she’d make it sounded cute as hell, but old Estelle Flectcher knew what the hell she was doing, and it was one of the best record I ever heard.”(128) This represents how much Holden likes younger children as opposed to adults. Those major themes reflect and outlined the values of the main character, which in turn, …show more content…
The novel is first person narrated, allowing the reader to become engrossed in the story. Humor is one of the techniques that made this novel engaging. For example, “Old Marty was like dragging the Statue of Liberty around the floor.”(69) demonstrates a comparison between the dancing of a character to hauling a famous monument. Slang used frequently throughout the story helps elevate serious moments, and adds a layer of comedic relief. “You’re goddam right I am, you dirty crooked bastard” (99) This reveals Holden’s speaking habits, which is relatable to teenage readers. Hyperbole, another technique used in the novel, outlines the thought process of a teenager. “He was one of those guys that think they're being a pansy if they don't break around forty of your fingers when they shake hands with you.” (81) These such writing techniques help the novel appeal to a younger age group, with its usage of humor, sland, and