Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye continues to engage audiences through it relatable narrative treatment of alienation. Through his narrative treatment Salinger portrays the then first look of the teenage years and what it is like transitioning into adulthood. Holden continues to resonate with modern audiences due to his feelings of alienation towards his culture and the everyday life in which Holden struggles to relate too. Holden’s disillusionment to adulthood and growing up is what feeds his feelings of alienation, which in its self is what makes him feel so “lonesome”.
Salinger’s use of narrative treatment towards Holden’s perspective of his culture and the world in which he lives, maintains interest within the reader. Since 1951 when The Catcher in the Rye was published it has served as an “expression of alienation for several generations of adolescent readers and adults who have considered themselves at odds with the norms and institutions of their society” _. Holden feels isolated throughout the book, he refuses to be ‘molded’ into societies norms; hence he ‘flunks’ out of multiple schools to get away from all the “phonies”. “I felt so goddam lonesome”(Pg. 48)… Through Holden’s relatable feelings of alienation towards everyday life, “countless readers conclude: yes, the world is awash in materialism, shallowness, and …show more content…
Holden, among other things struggles with the idea of growing up and what direction it will take him. He doesn't want to grow up and become a phony like everyone else; he wants to stay unique and separate from the adult world. This is one of the reasons why he bought his red hunting hat; he can stand out in a crowd and be separate from his “phony” society. Holden’s character fits perfectly into the stereotype of a typical teenager, making Holden’s views relatable and
Salinger’s use of narrative treatment towards Holden’s perspective of his culture and the world in which he lives, maintains interest within the reader. Since 1951 when The Catcher in the Rye was published it has served as an “expression of alienation for several generations of adolescent readers and adults who have considered themselves at odds with the norms and institutions of their society” _. Holden feels isolated throughout the book, he refuses to be ‘molded’ into societies norms; hence he ‘flunks’ out of multiple schools to get away from all the “phonies”. “I felt so goddam lonesome”(Pg. 48)… Through Holden’s relatable feelings of alienation towards everyday life, “countless readers conclude: yes, the world is awash in materialism, shallowness, and …show more content…
Holden, among other things struggles with the idea of growing up and what direction it will take him. He doesn't want to grow up and become a phony like everyone else; he wants to stay unique and separate from the adult world. This is one of the reasons why he bought his red hunting hat; he can stand out in a crowd and be separate from his “phony” society. Holden’s character fits perfectly into the stereotype of a typical teenager, making Holden’s views relatable and