Catcher In The Rye Society Analysis

The years following the second Great War are know as a period of culture consensus. The 1950s were characterized as a time of prosperity, due to the number of Americans who moved to the newly developed suburbs while under the comfort of a growing economy. As well, America's national identity began to change from an isolationist outlook on the world to a hard-line Cold War advict. This change made many writers and intellects switch to a writing style that focused on defending the United States and the freedoms it stood for. At the same time, a growing number of critics found the widespread conformity to be an evil to America’s health as a nation. From the expansion of the consumer economy, uniform communities, and corporate bureaucrats,
However, Holden’s defiance toward society is not completely unreasonable. Throughout the novel, Salinger carefully creates Holden as someone who constantly makes attempts to interact with society, however is let down. Instead Salinger forces Holden to develop a society based on the premise of “they” vs. him. This separation between Holden and society is seen multiple times throughout the novel. When Stradlater is leaving to go on a date with Jane, Holden asks Stradlater to give his regards to Jane, however Holden sums up the exchange with, “They never give regards to people” (33). Lastly, when Holden is playing with a snowball while entering the the bus to go into town, the bus driver refuses entry, believing he will cause problems on the bus. Holden sums up this moment with, “People never believe you” (37). Having Holden refer to other characters in the novel as “they” or “people” demonstrates the disillusionment Holden has. This separation that Holden has for society fuels his individualistic actions. An example of Holden’s individualistic attitude towards life is when Mr. Spencer asks Holden how he feels about leaving another school; “I didn’t flunk out or anything. I just quit, sort of ” (13). Holden’s response to Mr. Spencer demonstrates the independence and freedom of action that Holden owns. Salinger also uses this
Salinger demonstrates that Holden’s refusal to grow up and his individualistic attitude towards life, proves to be directly against the uniform society and established institutions during the 1950’s. In addition to Holden’s adversity with a mental illness, prep school social hierarchy, strict teachers and a city of corruption and decay, Holden is seen as an anti-hero. Due to interactions with other characters, Salinger paints the reader an unflattering picture of postwar America while showing how different social institutions follow one mainstream value. In all the 1950’s gave way to the counter-cultural movement that flourished in the 1960, making Catcher in the Rye the begin of the snowball