The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)

            An interesting and amusing read about the day in the life of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield, a troubled teenager and lost wanderer, who doesn’t have the slightest idea where he’s supposed to head for. This book best goes to everyone worrying over oblivion and is frustrated at themselves for it. Moreover, the people associated with this dilemma are sure to be in for a treat since this applies to them the most. Regardless of how far you think you’ve already come; the unknown awaits to pounce you at the right moment until your rose-tinted glasses shatters in pieces.

 

1. Holden Caulfield  

• The main protagonist who lacks focus and has no concern for his future. Even from the beginning, it was already made clear Holden’s become caught up with his own troubles to think of something he could do to get himself out of his situation. At most, he’s been reprimanded multiple times, but he’s simply shrugged them off since he’s grown stubborn to even pay attention. From the looks of it, Holden’s practically given up on the possibilities he can freely choose from and instead made himself intuitive with his decision making that led to nowhere constantly.

 

• Holden’s beliefs are similar with how a teenager rebels who detests everything in general, regardless if he’s got anything to do with it or not. His mindset is a lot like people his age or someone in their 20’s who waltzes aimlessly without a single solid goal in mind. This then leads to individuals growing tired of the countless attempts they’ve made and are now too discouraged to push through even if an opportunity hits them on the face.

 

• It’s safe to say Holden remains immature for his age since he still enjoys horsing around and poking his nose into other’s business. Suffice it to say, he seems to have more grasp in bringing provocation to his surroundings than be simply casual as he should. With that in mind, it’s no surprise his seemingly laid-back behavior made him become the pessimistic figure he’s known for. He doesn’t hold back to show resentment with people accomplishing something as he has an inferiority complex for a personality. He’s become too much of a downer even to himself and ends up raining down on everyone’s parade, and not tolerate neither encouragements nor compliments.

 

2. Old Spencer

• His character represents certain people who have authority on us. For instance, our families who may show concern through checking up on us frequently, though this may be seen differently depending how we perceive their gestures. Regarding the latter, the sole cause behind this assumption has probably got to do with them being so uptight about everything we do, it’s almost like we never seem to do anything right to their eyes, it’s ridiculous. In addition to that, the relationship between Spencer acting as Holden’s fatherly figure plays a relevant role between the closeness we have with our own family as well, which appears to dissipate as we grow older.

 

3. Horwitz 

• Despite how he barely had any role, the fact remains he’s the perfect pick for the apparent easily offended population of today. Horwitz’s reaction is awfully alike with profiles we come across on social media who happen to take offense or find loopholes in whatever argument these folks land on. This isn’t to bring implication having such values is a letdown but rather, this brings the good to an individual to test out their intellect towards enlightening discussions. Even so, one must remember to not get carried away on your argument or you could end up participating simply for the sake of debates.

 

4. Sexual Innuendos (And/or Vernacular, In General)

• If you’re quick to decipher slangs, you wouldn’t have any trouble figuring out when Holden’s referencing terms considered to be obsolete in the 21^st I remember having the dilemma to figure out the meaning behind them when I read the book the first-time. I partly blame my prudish innocence from not figuring it out sooner though. It’s different once you apply context clues as you can breeze your way through finishing the entire novel as easy as pie.

 

• A heads-up by any chance you plan to read the book yourself: It includes themes that aren’t appropriate for younger audiences such as (premarital) sex, alcohol usage and profane language.

 

5. Carl Luce

• Carl Luce is one of the few Holden has for friends, or in this case someone he’s well acquainted with. The reason behind Holden admiring this gentleman’s way of presenting himself to the public eye is because of his confidence and fascinating knowledge for adulthood since he himself is almost at its peak. Despite his contradicting personality as a narcissist, he does his part consoling Holden to seek professional help as his mental state’s gone worse the more he begins to realize how alone he’s become.

 

• It wasn’t confirmed if Carl genuinely cares for Holden’s well-being or he simply wants him to mature but either way, the gesture itself is endearing enough. This little act of kindness hits a little to close to home at individuals who thinks no one appreciates their presence. The thought of realizing another person does care will give them the reassurance to at least hang on until one’s ready to handle life’s challenges again.

 

 

Did it demonstrate a good representation?

In terms of portraying a character who experiences existential crisis at such an early age, I say yes. It doesn’t matter what part of the journey you’re at right now, but sooner or later you’re going to encounter such setbacks so big it can test your patience up to a point you’d begin to doubt in your capabilities and worse, make your perspective turn around badly. Like what happened to Holden, he’s become sure nothing’s ever certain, so he ends up losing himself in the process. Unfortunately, this outcome is commonly practiced either by people Holden’s age or even the older generation wherein everyone just wanted to take a time off indefinitely.

Even if it may not seem like it, a part of me still wants to believe we can remain to anticipate for the results we hope to achieve once we’re through giving our all. Perhaps the Universe’s somehow counting on us to take the big leap, and with a little luck and sheer determination we might end up experience pure bliss for a change.