RELEVANCE OF CATCHER IN THE RYE

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, although written in the 1950’s, is a very relevant text for
adolescents living in the 21st century. It is a novel about a 1950’s juvenile delinquent, Holden
Caulfield; and through the construction of this character, Salinger expresses his views on 1950’s
American culture and society. Today I would like to discuss the ways in which The Catcher in the Rye
is still relevant for teenagers by comparing 1950’s adolescent culture to the adolescent culture of
today.

The character of Holden Caulfield has been constructed by Salinger to represent the stereotypical
1950’s juvenile delinquent. He wears clothes unlike the 1950’s mainstream. For example, he wears
his hat backwards (p.15), swears using words like “goddamn” (p.18) and “crumby” and uses a wide
range of slang such as “chew the rag” (p.23) – meaning to chat – and “bucks” (p.31) – meaning
dollars. Holden also involves himself in fights (p.36-39), smokes and “flunks” out of school; these are
all actions of rebellion against the expectations of adults. These behaviours highlight Holden’s
attitude towards himself and others, and how others may perceive him as a person. Of course, we
only appreciate this behaviour as being that of a juvenile delinquent because it is still a part of
adolescent culture prevalent today.

The concept of adolescence is not only biological, but also psychologically constructed by adults. A
benefit of the development of the concept of adolescence is that adults can now have a greater
understanding of certain behaviours exhibited by teenagers. However, “teenagehood” is used as an
excuse by some teenagers to dismiss their behaviour as being acceptable. The reasoning for most of
Holden’s actions in The Catcher in the Rye is, “…because I like it that way” (p.15).These adolescents
who exploit the concept of teenagehood sometimes involve themselves in activities that result in
them being labelled as juvenile delinquents, such as the character of Holden Caulfield.

A modern-day example of a juvenile delinquent is Corey Worthington. Corey, like Holden, has a
specific dress style common amongst the modern juvenile delinquent; large dark sunglasses, tight-
fitting clothes, “hoodies”, untidy hair and body piercings. Corey also has a careless attitude towards
himself as a person and his family and neighbours. Holden, like Corey, does what suits him because
he feels no fear of the consequences (p.3). Therefore, this aspect of Holden Caulfield is still relevant
in 2008. However, what about the interest of The Catcher in the Rye as a class text for adolescents in
the 21st century?

I think everybody can relate to Holden Caulfield even if it’s only in a small way. There are aspects of
Holden that are common to teenagers, especially the aspect of rebelliousness. An empowering sense
of independence and movement towards maturity influences adolescents to rebel against their
parents, peers and teachers. Salinger constructs Holden as a character that has taken this concept to
the extreme, however. He is shown to jeopardise his future by failing school multiple times (p.3).
Statistics show that teenagers, such as Holden Caulfield, who are bored with school are much less
likely to study, and therefore more likely achieve lower grades or even fail or drop out of school
(Grobman, 2006) – or in Holden’s case, be expelled.

The novel is also an eye-opener (while also interesting and curious) to people who are only exposed
to censored media representations of adolescence and don’t know about the practises of juvenile
delinquents. However, ultimately, The Catcher in the Rye could be a cautionary tale to students

© Sarah Don, Australia, 2008

following a similar path of destruction as Holden. Salinger’s construction of the character of Holden
Caulfield in the book overtly illustrates the consequences of being a juvenile delinquent. Adolescents
as intelligent and as bored as Holden may realise the consequences of their actions and make a
conscious effort to address their failings. Overall, The Catcher in the Rye could help modern-day
adolescents and encourage them to make better choices.

The differences between adolescent cultural practises in the 1950’s and those of today also
contribute to the relevance of The Catcher in the Rye. The way in which Salinger constructs a version
of adolescence by the way Holden behaves in the text is different to how teenagers construct their
own versions of adolescence today. For example, the way that Holden dresses in the novel differs
from the way that Corey Worthington does. However, both characters from the two different eras
have created their own version of adolescence that separates them from most of their peers. So for
a modern-day teenager to observe these differences by reading the book could be very intriguing,
especially for someone with a similar attitude to Holden Caulfield.

Perhaps Salinger wrote The Catcher in the Rye narrated from Holden’s point of view as a 1950’s
juvenile delinquent who rejects adult expectations because Salinger himself rejected some of the
values, attitudes and beliefs of the 1950’s culture in which he lived when he wrote the novel. This is
demonstrated by Holden’s view that his peers who accept adult expectations and mainstream
culture are “phonies” (p.12) – trying to be something that they really aren’t. Particularly in chapter
thirteen, when Holden encounters the concept of sexuality, he seems ok with the idea at first
because it is part of the version of teenagehood he is exposed to through his friends. However he
questions this and decides not to go ahead with intercourse which demonstrates true individuality
and courage to trust his own feelings and not be persuaded by the behaviour of the “phonies” he’s
surrounded by (p.82-88). Perhaps The Catcher in the Rye is a cautionary tale for the teenagers who
read it not to just accept common attitudes, values and beliefs, but to rather question them.

Holden Caulfield is not so firmly embedded in 1950’s American culture that the novel holds neither
interest nor relevance for teenagers in 2008. Although the level of interestingness is a personal
opinion of the individual reader, I think The Catcher in the Rye is a very relevant text for modern-day
adolescents. The 1950’s version of adolescence presented in the novel is not much different from
that of today – only in the way it is demonstrated by teenagers themselves. Six decades is not
enough time to expect such cultural attitudes towards adolescents to change to the point where the
novel is no longer relevant. Therefore, The Catcher in the Rye is still relevant and interesting for
teenagers in 2008.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Connolly, F. (2008) Teen brat Corey Worthington just loves the world’s attention, Daily Telegraph, Australia,
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23063147-2,00.html (09/05/08)

Grobman, J. (2006) Counseling, Multiple Exceptionality, and Psychological Issues,

http://www.sengifted.org/articles_counseling/Grobman_Underachievement_in_Exceptionally_Gifted_Adolesc
ents.shtml (09/06/08)

Salinger, J.D. (1945-6) The Catcher in the Rye, Penguin Books Ltd., England.

© Sarah Don, Australia, 2008