The Catcher in the Rye: BLOG 5

Holden's personality seems awfully skewed and hyperbolic, but I can't deny that he depicts the "core" values of the teenager stereotype well. He is the voice of teens.
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As you might have already gathered from my earlier blogs, I feel strongly that Holden is representative of the teenager stereotype. Personally, I don't think he's normal or the average teen. Instead, Holden's attitude is hyperbolic and his perspective is skewed out of proportion.

He sees almost every other character as "phoney," shows no regard for his future, and is constantly under the influence of some alcohol or sex-drive. The true teenager might experience similar feelings but not to such an extent. Salinger exaggerates the persona but also compromises some truth behind the social group as a whole in the process.

But Salinger is not completely wrong. He hits on every unique trait that can be applied to teenagers and distinguishes them as a particular social group through Holden. He paints the stereotype as he paints the character: it is an age group that puts an uncomfortable amount of emphasis on sex and alcohol--it is an age group renowned for a staple rebellious attitude.

J.D Salinger sought to create a character that embodied the teenager of his time and succeeded. I think it is fair to say that Holden would qualify as the voice of teens.

The Catcher in the Rye: BLOG 4

J.D Salinger's Holden might represent what not to do as a teenager when he addresses his stance on academics, work, and social life.
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Drawing from the previous blog, "The Catcher in the Rye" is still relevant to our generation. It lays out the stereotypical teenager and does so in a realistic and authentic fashion. The character used to represent this stereotype, Holden, can even be applied to the modern stereotype of teenagers. Today, we are often seen as sexually-driven, rebellious, and egotistical. Making this connection further reinforces the book's relevancy within contemporary society.

With that in mind, I'm not sure I can take too much from it. I suppose J.D Salinger could have meant to use Holden as somewhat of a litote, advocating an ideal type of behavior by describing the opposite. Perhaps he intended for his audience to perceive Holden as what not be. Despite desperately satisfying his alcohol desires, Holden is miserable. He flirts with girls and even pays for a prostitute, but always leaves the situation with a bitter taste in his mouth. Holden's short term pleasures are met with discomfort and emptiness, which ultimately prompt a boredom that restarts the cycle.

Similarly, J.D Salinger could be encouraging teenagers to apply themselves more when it comes to academics, work, and social life in general. Holden makes an effort to break ties with his school and friends, ultimately suffering the consequences of loneliness and resorting back to family. The final chapter touches on the subject when Holden believes that he will try harder in the upcoming year.

The Catcher in the Rye: BLOG 3

J.D Salinger paints a multi-dimensional character that applies to the modern teenage stereotype, thus creating a common factor and maintaining relevancy.
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"The Catcher in the Rye" is indeed still relevant to the modern generation. J.D Salinger uses Holden as a means to capture and perhaps even embody the teenage stereotype. His success stems from a combination of what he paints and, possibly more so, how he does it. Salinger's methodology is strategic and effective.

Over the course of the piece, Salinger creates the stereotype through an examination of Holden's actions and reactions. For example, at first glance, Holden does not come off as egotistical in any way. His first thought when leaving school is even gracious: visiting the sick Mr. Spencer. However, a closer look reveals a truer personality that identifies more closely with the stereotype. Holden seems to be offended by talent: he is disgusted numerous times at the mere sight of "show-off"s, as if skills personally insult him. The world, in Holden's mind, centers around him and only him.

Salinger creates a multi-faceted persona that resembles the "ideal" teenager. He conjures a sex-driven, alcoholic, narcissistic character, using point of view as a means to self-characterize. The novel is popular because the traits are created realistically and are applicable even to the modern teenager, despite its publication in 1951. Holden is simply relevant.

The Catcher in the Rye: BLOG 2

Holden and I are very different, and, over the course of the book, I even grew to disliking his character. However, I somewhat admire his independence and initiative.
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"The Catcher in the Rye" has not changed how I perceive my own school in any way. It seemed as though the story revolved around the people, not the school, and that the focus on the school only lasted for a couple chapters. Over the course of the book, I found myself devaluing Holden's opinions as we grew distanced.

Holden and I do not identify with each other much at all. He's rash in decision-making, stubborn when defending his ego, and simply unfriendly: he struggles to foster any sort of relationship besides the one with his sister. I couldn't appreciate any of these values and ultimately began disagreeing with his perspective on school.

Despite our many differences and what I've just laid out, I can admire his "rashness" but in a different context. He takes initiative, albeit for all the wrong reasons, and  makes his voice heard. I should voice my opinions and make a change.

The Catcher in the Rye: BLOG 1

If I were Holden, I wouldn't have gone after Stradlater after tearing up the composition--it seems to have done its justice just fine.
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It is evident that Holden expresses an immense amount of passion for his older, deceased brother Allie. Caulfied's window-smashing was not representative of a madman's actions but identified more as those of a sorrow-struck child--he simply loved Allie.

Holden wrote Stradlater's composition whole-heartedly and with emotion,stemming from the mere thought of his brother. When Stradlater returned only to reprimand Holden for his misinterpretation, Holden tore up the paper. This moment in "The Catcher in the Rye" soon escalates into a dramatic clash of egos, but perhaps more importantly, marks the first disagreement or conflict within the piece.

I would have torn up the paper as well but simply left the argument at that, for a number of reasons.

Tearing up the paper would have been punishment enough for Stradlater and is an effective rebuttal to his distaste. The opportunity for him to complete the assignment would be gone and, because he disliked the piece, he logically has no reason to turn it in. In contrast with Holden, I am not very confrontational and this reaction would allow a passive-aggressive "offense."