The Cather in the Rye is not a book for everyone. The tone is depressing and dark, which already does not appeal to people. The book is more of a character study rather than an actual story. The author puts Holden in different scenarios and writes his reactions to them. It is completely understandable why people do not like Holden or the material covered in it. Ironically the main problem is Holden alienates himself from the reader because an average person cannot relate to him. I would never do most of the things he does in the book and the same goes for other people I know. Parents do not want kids to read about someone their age smoking, swearing, drinking, running away, thinking about sex constantly, and paying for a hooker. Also Holden's language is foul. In a book like To Kill A Mockingbird, the harsh language fits with the harsh themes and times the author wants to represent. However, Holden can come off as an asshole at certain points in the book. Many readers have pointed out that Holden is a hypocrite because he calls people phonies for being deceptive, but he acts like a phony because he deceives himself by thinking he is not like the people he labels as phonies.
Obviously I have admitted that the book is not perfect, but the philosophy is. I am not referring to the philosophy Holden is trying to get across, but the philosophy Salinger is. Holden is supposed to be phony. A lot of people think Salinger created Holden to be this perfect deity for young adults, but he did not. Readers are supposed to learn how not to be like Holden, but at the same time they should realize they are like Holden. It is complicated to explain, but basically everyone is a phony. We all at one point or another deceive people or ourselves. Holden points this out, but fails to recognize that he is a phony himself. The point Salinger is trying to get across is that you should not judge other people because you are no better than them. Pointing out someone's flaws does not make you flawless. However, in society people judge each other constantly and convince themselves that they are superior. This creates a society where we hold people up to a standard that not everyone meets. This creates alienation.
As a teenager reading this book Holden taught me how to face my fears. Holden runs away from his future trying to prevent it. He even tries to prevent other kids from growing up. Holden represents the loss of innocence. Not only does he realize the world is a mean spirited place, but also requires him to grow up. Holden wants to be treated as an adult, but at the same time he refuses to accept responsibility the world requires an adult to have. He does not want to follow the system. His sister, Phoebe is the person who ends up making Holden realize he needs to grow up. She sees through his flaws and calls him out, similar to how the reader does. Watching Phoebe on the carousel, Holden finally understands kids need to fall through the rye field in order to evolve. Being at the age where I am applying to college I can relate to Holden's resistance to change. The adult world does put a lot of pressure on kids to follow a path. It almost makes me wish I could stay the same age forever. However, I realize that I do not have to become what society wants me to. I can follow my own path. Also I am encouraged not to be the loser Holden ends up becoming.
Overall The Catcher in the Rye, is a book you can love or hate for equally good reasons. I believe every teenager should read this book because it does encourage thought. You do not have to like Holden, but just listen to what Salinger is trying to teach. It is ironic because schools are behaving like Holden by trying to prevent kids from reading the book. They are trying to preserve kids' innocence. However, like Holden, they need to learn that in order to become a better person, one needs to lose their innocence. As long as teachers properly educate kids on the book, there should be no problem.
