I have been wondering why this novel is so revolutionary, so I guess I want to see what other people think.
In class we have discused the events in the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallanger in great depth. Also we have seen how the novel affected American literature forever. Many students after reading have asked themselves "why is this story so famous?" or "these events that Holden experiences are not that crazy, why is it so interesting?"
Why do you think Catcher in the Rye is so famous, and what elements of this story are so unique compared to literature that we've studied before this novel?
Josh "Slam Dunk" Smith
"After a hard day's work diggin' up the sod, we're ready for chow."
Welcome to our class's blog. We are discussing the latest topics we're studying in American history and literature. This website has been active since December 2005. Selected Excel 10 students will take turns posting their thoughts, and other Excel 10 students will comment on these posts. Parents, staff, and other interested persons are invited to add their comments on our musings. Any inappropriate comments will be deleted.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
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- Is Holden postponing the inevitable?
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- So what's the big deal?
- Temporary Moment of Insanity
- Holden: Love him or hate him?
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7 comments:
I think this book scores popularity among teenage, and even higher readers due the meaning past the lines. This books doesn’t just discuss a kid who has runaway from school and want to go west, it discusses a child running from adulthood, trying to save his childhood with the things he does and the things he tries to do. Many people are able to identify with this novel and are able so see exactly what they have gone through or are going through. I also think that what makes the book so interesting is the fact that it is someone going through regular day events that we know and have experienced. It isn't like My Antonia where the characters are in our past. Holden seems like one of us fighting his challenging life, and that makes him appeal to us.
I think the reason that this book appeals to so many people is because everyone faces at some point in their life what Holden faces throughout the book. Every one goes through a stage in which they don't want to grow up or have to become responsible. Catcher in the rye is an adult version of peter pan. Everybody at some point wishes they had their own "cather in the rye".
Daniel E
I agree. When I was reading this I was also wondering what was so great about this book. It seemed like something that anyone of us could write about our own lives. However, once we started talking about major themes in the novel, I started to realize that there was more to the book then all of the crazy things that Holden does day in and day out. Some of those themes include resisting the fact that he has to grow up and not being able to get over the loss of his brother.I think because those themes are so important and universal, a lot of people can relate to Holden while they are reading this book. Although, it seems like that is too basic and simple to make this book so famous, I still think that maybe that could be the reason why.
Elizabeth O.
I think that this book isn't revolutionary because I could have gone through the same couple of days...tomorrow. I think that Josh was right in his comment on Chad's post, "playing into hype." Hype did play a huge role in this book.
I think that this book is so famous because it 'does' show what a typical teenager might have to do in their lifetime to notice that they, too, will one day have to grow up. I can't think of any elements that make this story unique compared to other elements, because Holden, and "Catcher in the Rye," reminds me so much of "Huckleberry Finn."
JJ B.
The greatness of Catcher in the rye escapes me completely, possibly because I'm European or possibly because it is a victim of its own hype. My expectation was something interesting and profound but what I got was a wordy and quite boring narrative from a character with few redeeming features. Won't someone please explain why this is considered a classic?
Cirkux,
I have found that with Catcher, it's mostly a hit or miss relationship with the reader. Some American teenagers feel the way you do and are very annoyed by Holden's incessant ranting, and they really wish he would grow up. Some of my other students identify with Holden's aimlessness, his feelings of being disconnected from everything he's supposed to be doing - what's expected of a "normal" 1950s American teen. Plus, others see themselves in Holden b/c he's still grieving for his brother Allie.
When I read the book when I was 14, I hated it. I had the hubris to tell my teacher that I could write something like that - stream of consciousness stuff. When I reread Catcher when I was 21, I thought it was brilliant, but I was looking at it as a piece of literature. I was picking apart the layers of the story, and the more I dug into Salinger's novel, the more I knew that I COULDN'T write something like that. Many young American novelists have been trying to write something like it since 1951, and dozens of books have been called "the next Catcher" or "this generation's Catcher in the Rye".
It's a classic coming of age story told by a kid who really doesn't want to grow up, but he doesn't want the responsibility of all that comes with it. Maybe it's an American thing, but then again, I don't know. Some things can never live up to the hype.
Thanks Geoff! Will try to give it one more go and see if I can change my perspective. :)
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