“Is The Catcher in the Rye, as a work of literature still relevant for today’s youth?”
Name: Sara Sigurdson
Course: English A1
Supervisor: Mr. Peter Steadman
Word count: 3851
Candidate number: 00136022
Table of Contents
Content Page Number
Abstract 3
Introduction 4
The Actual Catcher in the Rye 4
The Sexual Matter 5
The Caulfield Family 6
Narrator and Protagonist 8
Role Model 9
Mr. Antolini 10
Targeted Audience 10
Guidance 12
It is not Criticism 13
Exposing Culture 13
Conclusion – Fall of Innocence 15
Works Cited List 17
Abstract This essay is a detailed analysis about The Catcher in the Rye investigating whether it is relevant for youth and society[1] in the present day. The essay investigates how the author, Jerome David Salinger (J.D.) develops a mixture of themes throughout the novel such as: the fall of innocence, sexuality, culture exposure, depression and more to portrayal Holden Caulfield's relationship to society. The investigation is made through looking at the narrator-based story, also evaluating the step between adolescence and adulthood. With this information, investigation and research from a mixture of resources an analysis is made and parallels are being drawn between the 1950's society and the society we live in today. An evaluation about the novels relevance to the targeted audience of adolescence as a guidance through the step of becoming an adult is made and the essay concludes by drawing connections of the eternal relevance of protecting innocence. This analysis shows that The Catcher in the Rye treasures the importance of implementing a pattern for upcoming generations’ awareness of the essential step between adolescence to adulthood.
Introduction
Three years ago I opened a well-worn book that my brother wanted me to read. He looked into my eyes and uttered with an eager voice “Sara, read this! I love this story and I
Cited: Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. Print. Aldrige, John. ”The Society of Three Novels.” In Search of Heresy: American Literature in an Age of Conformity. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1956, 126-48 Websites Banks, Brian.”Book Review: The Catcher in The Rye.” SIDES. Web. 07 Jan. 2012. Lomazoff, Eric. ”The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger 's The Catcher in the Rye.”LEVITY. 1996. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Lvov, Basil. “Estraingement.” Scribd. N.p., n.d. Web 17 Sep. 2012. NPR. "Giving Voice to Generations." Npr.org. NPR, 20 Jan. 2008. Web. 30 July 2012. . "Teen Depression Statistics - Teen Depression." Teen Depression Statistics - Teen Depression. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-depression/depression-statistics.html.