From controversial to popularity

The Catcher in the Rye’s popularity

The magnificent novel, The Catcher in the Rye by Jerome David Salinger, led to a lot of controversies during the 50's not only in the United States, but all over the world because its liberal use of themes related to sexuality and profanity. The book gained popularity and fame since it’s beginning because it has been a symbol of individualism for most of the readers. This made the book to be considered a very authentic and brilliant literary work, but at the same time, a very controversial one as well as full of critics.

Since it’s very beginning, the book has been called as a classic in every positive and good sense, and actually, there exist many reasons for it, like for example, the fact that too many readers see it’s main character Holden as a prophet, showing the world just how horrible it has become. Also, what makes the novel so authentic is the fact that it spoke out for a generation that didn't want to grow up, because the world is growing up around us and we are all exposed to the reality of relationships, hardships, and significance of one's self in society, and if you really think about it, it doesn't always look bright.

     On the other hand, and as everything else in this world, The Catcher in the Rye has received really bad and negative critics, provoking great controversy upon its release. The book was, and continues to be, banned in some states, and it has been thrown into the center of debates about rights, censorship, and obscenity in literature. This novel breaks all barriers because it includes complicated topics in the life of an adolescent. It dealt with the inner thoughts of a teen going through puberty, and back in the 50’s, that was pretty strange to talk about because most of the times the only opinions and voices that mattered were the ones from adults and no one else. But because of the fact that Holden was a rebel and careless guy in so many ways, he seemed to stand for young people everywhere, the ones who felt themselves wrapped on all sides by the pressure to grow up and live their lives according to the rules, as well as from living their whole lives depressed and anxious by restricting their own personalities and conform to a bland cultural norm. Another element that makes the novel so popular and controversial is the fact that Holden tends to use a lot of language vulgar language throughout the whole book and with more general reasons including sexual references, blasphemy, undermining of family values and moral codes. At the same time, the book has gained most of it’s controversy and popularity because of the fact that Holden is stereotyped by a lot of critics as a poor role model, an encouragement of rebellion, and a promoter of drinking, smoking, lying, and promiscuity. It as well is found by some critics to be “humorous, witty and clever”. The humor in Holden's character comes from his communication with the outside world. His innocence makes him both a tragic and touching character, capable of making dark activities on the surface seem hilarious and silly at the same time.

Assuming all the facts told above, the novel "The catcher in the rye" gained its popularity for being the right example of what teenagers really think or want to express but aren't able to because of the society's view. The novel focuses on the controversial way of acting and thinking of the teenagers, and that's one of the reasons why people still get identified with it. Some other reasons why the novel still has a high level of demand from schools is because of the knowledge of critical thinking, as well as the cultural impact that can be learned by reading it; being that culture has also changed as time goes by. The novel is also knows as a "quote teacher", because of all the teachings that every paragraph can hand over the readers, an example is “I am always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye. This had a great impact on readers because of its different way of thinking of the author they way he expresses every single word with emotions that move reader's way of thinking. The novel is possibly one of the most controversial books but it is also one of the best ones to get identified as a teenager.  

BIBLIOGRAPHY MLA FORMAT:

Lomazoff, Eric. "The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye." The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Bohemian Ink, n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger1