The Tormented Lifestyle of American Youth During the 1950s - Literature review Example

The Catcher in the Rye Understanding literature requires critical literary tools that examine both the surface and deeper meanings of a given text. As demonstrated by J.D. Salinger’s iconic book The Catcher in the Rye, characterization and plot development also contribute towards an interesting analysis. However, noting the recurring themes in the text is a testament of learning from fiction as mirror for the overall society. Additionally, borrowing from one’s varied experiences is another mark for brilliance to portray realistic characters such as Holden, Mr. Spencer, and Jane Gallagher in Salinger’s book (Bloom 134). This is will be demonstrated by this essay while assessing the relevance of historical review in writing the novel. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is a remarkable novel that deserves reading by all because of its timeless themes and style of narration that captured an entire generation. The novel revolves around the protagonist Holden Caulfield, a disturbed teenager who eventually rebels against society because of constant rejection. Therefore, in terms of coming of age, Salinger managed to create memorable characters after several attempts at short story writing that failed to get published. This sharpened his maturity until the eventual publication of his bestseller The Catcher in the Rye. On that note, Salinger’s characterization is solely grounded on teenagers and a few old people that compel them to rebel and assert their new identities. Holden, for instance, firsts enters into an argument with his History teachers called Mr. Spencer and this marks the beginning of an inner rebellion (Graham 123). At the beginning of the narrative, Holden is cast as withdrawn and self-absorbed, but willing to try out new things. It largely echoes the author’s life when his parents transferred him to Valley Forge Military Academy as a means of distracting him from pursuing his love for acting. However, the history teacher is a manifestation of betrayal and deceit that often characters the lives of old people. Mr. Spencer, for instance, exposes the confidential letter sent to him by Holden in class hence undermining the young man’s self-esteem. In other words, lack of trust becomes a recurring phenomenon in the text. It is an act repeated by Ackley, Holden’s dorm neighbor who is a serial heartbreaker and restless with remaining himself. This demonstrates Salinger’s desire to reflect the multiple personas of youth when they begin to find their self identities in a world of conventions especially when it is a puritanical household as that of the author. Another interesting character in the text is Jane Gallagher, Holden’s female friend. According to the writer, the girl is the embodiment of innocence and quiet in the life youth and should remain stabilized. However, this does not happen because Jane is dating Ackley whom the main character considers a con and heartbreaker. Similarly, Stradlater, Holden best friend displays the confused state of being a womanizer while still agonizing over the need to impress women as a good man. The author connotes the conflicting personalities of young people when confronted by the highs and lows of life particular when it comes to love (Bloom 139). Finally, the date between Sally Hayes and the protagonist explains the interest that binds two young people when they have the same passions and interests such as when the two watch a movie. This phenomenon is equally beneficial for one’s mental and physical wellbeing as demonstrated by Holden’s excitement at exploring Romeo and Juliet with one of the two nuns he meets at Grand Central Station. The admiration for Mr. Antolini, Holden’s English teacher, contrastingly, explicates the desire for youth to find role models when they are confused in life. It mirrors the location and timing of the novel especially when Salinger had left the war and wanted comfort back in his country. Salinger published his book in 1951 after leaving the war. This enabled him to create new ideas and thoughts concerning his characters with emphasis to echoing the anguish of youth. Location as part of plot development is important because it enables the reader to locate exactly the intended motive of the author as displayed in the text. The fictional placement, for instance, in Agerstown, Pennsylvania is an indication of Salinger’s desire to accord his narrative a semblance to Hagerstown. The location is another testament of the writer’s talent and wit in creating scenes that are familiar to most teenagers such as the exclusive private school called Pencey Prep. Alternatively, the use of realistic that include going to watch plays and showing Holden reading illustrates the link between communicating a message and using available information to construct that reality (Graham 125). Another interesting issue with location entails Salinger’s infusion of his own youthful in the literary text. For example, when Holden is constantly disturbed by dorm mate Stradlater, the author attempts to deconstruct his troubled upbringing by strict parents before he joined the war. Overall, plot development in The Catcher in the Rye is founded certain reality in the writer’s sub consciousness. Constructively, while Salinger uses the platform of a private school as a canvas for articulating his issues, he is also sensitive to the period. He, for example, acknowledges the challenges and setbacks that affected most teenagers in the post-war years in the 1950s. Characters such as Holden, Ackley, and Stradlater are deeper manifestation of the disturbance that emanated from war veterans who could not harness their energies in positive ventures. Contrastingly, while location and the writer’s life are two parallel identities, they help in contain the narrative into a whole and clear story (Bloom 113). It is the distinct aspect that accords the text a cultural renaissance of youth demanding for freedom from a restrictive society. Reflections of personal life are an integral step because it allows the writer to integral an authorial voice that befitting teenagers eager for a rebellion. Conversely, while the infusion of the author’s life has prolonged the depth of the story, it does not overshadow the fictional account that portrays the tormented lifestyle of American youth during the 1950s. It also protects vital thematic concerns such as love and despair among young people that is still recurrent in America and other countries. Thematic concerns recur in Salinger’s seminal text particularly in his urge to address pertinent societal issues affecting teenagers in America in the 1950s. For instance, the themes of meltdown and alienation when Holden desists from participating in a football game at the beginning of the book because he believes he is not qualified. As a teenager, the main feels he is not loved enough by his friends and teachers thus causing him repetitive isolation and desolation. It equally prevents him from establishing new connections with others such as Ackley and Stradlater who, in spite of being a womanizer, is good companion (Salinger 47). Childhood and growing up is another testament of the difficulties portrayed in Salinger’s book with emphasis to phoniness and interruption of innocence. The central character together with his pals such as Ackley, Phoebe, Allie, and Stradlater are all kids growing up under the setbacks of innocence and wavering gentility. However, the desired perfect childhood is not rosy as noted with Holden’s perception that the entire world is warped with adults forcing on their views on young people. Delusions and despair, therefore, characterize the essence of growing as noted with the stiff opposition mounted by Mr. Spencer and Mr. Antolini. Additionally, the opposition only elicits bitterness and loneliness that makes childhood a complex lifestyle for most of the author’s main and minor characters. Depression, suicide, and madness are significant feature that pervades throughout the book especially when Holden faces identity issues caused by the elders. Thoughts of suicide connote the urge for teenage expression to vent out emotions and feelings as noted with the main character when the novel progresses toward a permanent solution (Bloom 145). Madness, on the other hand, is manifested through the maniac traits that describe disillusioned youth as seen with Ackley, Allie, and Jane Gallagher. The adult is also full of phoniness and this dilutes the ideals and concepts held by Holden. He sees adults as inner manifests of pretension, superficiality, and hypocrisy as observed with Mr. Spencer’s reckless exposure of the main character during class session. Cynical isolation is, hence, heightened by what phoniness the writer considers the epitome of the things wrong with the world. However, the central character’s observations differ with the real traits displayed by Carl Luce and Sally Hayes who are genuine in their overall interaction with young despite the age difference. However, the most significant theme revolves around intimacy, sexuality and relationships as observed Salinger, it troubles teenagers a lot. This is because it requires them to invest emotions and feelings that could be unpredictable and shaky as seen in Jane Gallagher. She has an affair with Stradlater, a perpetual womanizer who does respect women in terms of their intrinsic value (Salinger 35). According to the author, lying and deception remain the underlying factor in the hurtful feelings experienced by most of his characters in the book. This has resulted to scorn and despise particularly when Holden and his friends are forced to obey rules in school. On that context, symbols have and enduring impression in the entire book because it represents aspects of abstract concepts and ideals critical in interpreting the book. The title, for example, denotes the close scrutiny as noted with Holden’s gait in the street while humming one of Robert Burns’ songs. Establishing an imagination of the rye over a perched mountain is symbol of freedom, liberty, and peace from the oppressive society. Another essential symbol is the red hunting hat belonging to the main character. It wholly defines the individuality and uniqueness that described the 20th century and the challenges for its teenagers such as Holden who constantly wears it to assert his identity amongst peers and elders. Alternatively, it is an alternative to isolation because it gives him companionship when life is full of despair and confusion (Littleton & Merrick 90). Accordingly, it is an echo of The Museum of National History that is a utopian world cherished by the protagonist as noted with his regular visits at the visits. This is occasioned by unpredictable setbacks that most of the teenagers confront in the world that leaves them heartbroken and anguished. The museum is also devoid of societal conflicts particularly evidenced by Allie’s merciless death. Historical influences especially those emanating from WWII are evident in Salinger’s novel because he meant to summarize the overall tragedy of youth and its impending consequence on America. By using a teenager as his main character, the writer warns his country of its fragility in the geopolitical map during the post-war years. Likewise, the influences of his war years such as disagreement with fellow soldiers are integrated into the book. Critically, this is meant to evaluate the thematic issues of the text from multiple perspectives namely both at a personal and national level. At a personal level, Salinger argues, individuals are ever fighting to gain control of their self-confidence and self-esteem. Unfortunately, this is disrupted by national forces that comprise of teachers such as Mr. Spencer and Mr. Antolini eager to humiliate and embarrass their students irrespective of the outcome (Salinger 56). Overall, according to the writer, it upon stakeholders to protect young people who are the embodiment of growth and development for any civilized state. Contrastingly, while the need for vigilance is essential to harness talent amongst people such as Holden, Stradlater, and Jane Gallagher, it is equally upon them to safeguard their freedoms and liberties. It, therefore, is fundamental to acknowledge the essentials of comprehending the relevance of novel especially when it is important such as Salinger’s book. This begins interpreting the themes from multiple designs while integrating new concepts and ideas that help in defining major characters (Littleton & Merrick 108). Accordingly, readers should investigate the link between reality and fiction especially when applied in American in the 21st century. Salinger believed his novel would become a cathartic emblem of understanding his country from different spectrums that include social, economic, and even political. In other words, it is within a critical reader to take the drastic action of addressing ills exposed by the author. Works Cited Bloom, Harold. J. D. Salinger, New Edition. New York, NY: Springer. 2009. Print. Graham, Sarah. EPZ Salingers The Catcher in the Rye. New York, NY: SAGE. 2007. Print. Littleton, Stacy & Merrick, Rose. The Catcher in the Rye: Study Guide and Student Workbook (Enhanced ebook). Mason, OH: SAGE. 2011. Print. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New Jersey, NJ: SAGE. 2011. Print. Read More