Catcher In The Rye Overt Theme

The “Catcher in the rye” is a relatively controversial novel by J.D Salinger. It is infamous as the writing style and content was, and still is, considered perverse and obscene. Though seemingly shallow and sophomoric, the novel has many covert and overt themes that resonate much within adolescents. Some examples of these themes include: Sex and sexuality, coping with death, adapting to changing societal expectations (Tolchin), the effects on affluenza, as well as apathy and empathy. One extremely overt theme regarding the main character, Holden Caulfield, is his disdain towards society and conformity. Many literary scholars are split over the significance of this theme, and how it affects Holden’s actions within the novel. However, there seems to be more evidence, or, at the very least, more significant examples, that his disdain of society actually positively affects how he behaves towards people.
One prime example of this is when he is in the diner with the two nuns (Salinger 109). Despite the the fact these two nuns are just
After much talk they get on the discussion of what he wants to do with his life. Phoebe recommends he be a lawyer, to which he replied: “Lawyers are alright, I guess- but it doesn't appeal to me. I mean they’re all right if they go around saving innocent guys’ lives all the time, and like that, but you don’t do that DO that kind of stuff if you’re a lawyer. All you do is make a lot of dough and play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink martinis and look like a hotshot. And besides, even if you did go around saving people's’ lives and all, how would you know if you did it because you really wanted to, or because you did it because what you REALLY wanted to do was be a terrific lawyer, with everybody slapping you on the back and congratulating you in court when the goddamn trial is over.” (Salinger