Students should read the book

[Ianna]

A lot of people i have talked to think that this book is not relatable to high school students now. i would have to disagree with that because the book Catcher in the Rye is relatable to high school students now. Teens relate to lacking in motivation in school and not fitting in. For example Holden does not feel good enough compared to his roomate and a lot of students always have that one person that they feel less worthy than. Also a lot of students run away from the problem or situation that they are dealing with. Like Holden runs away to New York when he gets kicked out of school to avoid the conflit and consequences of his parents. In conclusion the book Catcher in the Rye is relatable to high school students and they should keep reading this in classes because it teaches them life lessons.

[Adam]

I am just finishing up my high school career and i completely relate to holden. Holden hates change and that's what makes growing up so hard for him. The pain of growing up is something that students will always be able to relate to. Being a teenager is awesome and no one wants to grow up to be apart of this terrible, phony world.

[Feliks]

Beh. This book is wasted on today's teenagers. They haven't got two braincells to rub together to generate some spiritual angst like Holden Caulfield had. They're unable to properly receive a novel like this. Are you kidding me? They have no idea of even where they are. They're too busy reading 'Divergence' on their 'KINDLE FIRE'. They float around in a virtual world. The fact is, THEY are the phonies these days. They live in a digital envelope. Come on, tell me I'm a liar. Adults have to live in the real world. That world starts when you start paying your own rent. Any teen who wants respect from me, put down the cellphone-your-mommy-bought-you.

[Iris]

Whether or not they are worthy of the book, or whether or not they will relate to it is unimportant. The point is they should read it. This book isn't my favorite of all time, but my brother made me read it three years back and I'm glad he did. At first I thought it was a simple book about nothing, but then I found that it was about more than just what was presented to you in a 2-D fashion.

I like the dissecting of Holden Caulfield's character. I also liked how he dissected his own character along with other's in the book. It is an interesting read if nothing else and that alone merits a read.

[Andy]

I wish my teenage sons would read CITR. On discovering Holden they may just come to realise that the world does not centre around one individual and that they can often be as insufferably feckless as he.

[Connor]

I read this book a few years ago (Freshman year) and found that I can relate to Holden and I REALLY liked the book. Every teen guy in high school should read it.



“Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around — nobody big, I mean — except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff — I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be. I know it’s crazy.”

[mkfs]

Feliks wrote: "The fact is, THEY are the phonies these days. They live in a digital envelope. Come on, tell me I'm a liar. Adults have to live in the real world. That world starts when you start paying your own rent."

That's an aspect of Catcher in the Rye that always annoyed me.

Holden has this need to protect children (such as his sister) from losing their innocence and becoming the "phonies" that inhabit the adult world.

Yet, if anything, the refusal to grow up and join the adult world (by accepting responsibility and meeting obligations such as paying rent) is far worse. It is a delusional rejection of reality.

So you have this sincere and honest kid, afraid of the complexities of the adult world, who decides that being tactful or guarded is 'phony' and that the world would be a better place if we all remained guileless, carefree children.

But it wouldn't! All it takes is a few minutes observing (usually somebody else's) children to realize what a cruel, vicious, and dysfunctional world would result.

[Fursure]

Feliks wrote: "Beh. This book is wasted on today's teenagers. They haven't got two braincells to rub together to generate some spiritual angst like Holden Caulfield had. They're unable to properly receive a novel..."

My friend to be honest with you sound like the average bitter old man, every generation produces. This criticism that you have on the teenager of today.. Every generation has people talking like this about the next generation. Well gues who has the most power and influence on the development of the next generation; It is obviously the generation before that, the parents/teachers/brothers/sisters etc.

The generation of today is for a big part formed by the one that came before it. So if you want to blame someone for it's failures/behavior you can blame yourself for not doing enough.

I myself honestly think this generation is not that bad. And they could use this book just as well as the teenagers/young adults that came before the ones of today. I'm certain they have the capability to understand.

Btw I'm not trying to offend you, this is my opinion on the matter in general.

[Andy]

Fursure wrote: "The generation of today is for a big part formed by the one that came before it. So if you want to blame someone for it's failures/behavior you can blame yourself for not doing enough..."

I disagree Fursure - but then I would; I'm the father of 2 teenagers. As one of that generation that came before I can see the stark truth that as each generation is succeeded, it is condemned to watch as its children repeat its own failures, deaf to any well-meaning advice that may be offered.

My own father would have felt this as keenly as I do, but at least he had avenues for discussion and compromise. Technology has advanced so fast and so far between the most recent generations that too many teenagers today live in isolation from their parents; often living solitary lives linked to others only through the medium of a telephone or computer screen. They do so oblivious to the real consequences and implications of their online actions.

Steam has just as effectively isolated today's youth from its parents as did the Khmer Rouge.

[Rebecca]

Serjeant Wildgoose wrote: "
Steam has just as effectively isolated today's youth from its parents as did the Khmer Rouge. "

Unless Steam has forced your children to asphyxiate you with a plastic bag I think you are being facetious.


I played video games a lot when I was growing and I like to think I turned out fine. I would say on my days off I spent about 10 hours a day playing video games or watching TV. Your suggestion that this turned me into a sociopath is ridiculous and completely unfounded.

Maybe you should try appreciating how difficult it is to be a teenager growing up at the moment instead of just deciding you understand exactly what their problem is.

[Jennifer]

I think the book is perfect for high school readers. There's a lot to think about after you read the book and it gets the students debating and talking about the themes in the book. Plus you get to see a lot of kids who absolutely love the book, and other kids who absolutely hate it. Even if they don't relate to it, it's good to get them exposed to the book since it's so famous and everyone has an opinion about it.
Personally I could relate to it. I could relate to Holden's fear of change, his loneliness, his confusion about what to do in the future....i love the book!

[Ellen]

Feliks wrote: "Beh. This book is wasted on today's teenagers. They haven't got two braincells to rub together to generate some spiritual angst like Holden Caulfield had. They're unable to properly receive a novel..."

My experience has been absolutely 100% different from yours Felix. I am at an age now where I'm starting to consider retirement and I work at a job that includes some teenagers and some kids that have just graduated. I find them ALL, pretty much without exception, to be grounded, intelligent, wonderful people who love to discuss just about anything that can be brought up to discuss in the work place. These kids are shown a lot of respect, and they tend to live up to that respect.

[Silverpiper]

Feliks wrote: "Beh. This book is wasted on today's teenagers. They haven't got two braincells to rub together to generate some spiritual angst like Holden Caulfield had. They're unable to properly receive a novel..."
Ha, ha! Good one Feliks!

[Shadrack]

The brilliance of the book is Salinger's ability to put the narrator's thoughts in the reader's head. Those thoughts are cynical and lonely, experiences that most readers will be at least a little familiar with, and that's why the book is polarizing. I don't understand (but am interested) why so many readers say that it changed their life though, or why someone would read it more than a dozen times. It seems indulgent to vacation inside Holden's head.

Chesterton said something about fairy tales that sticks with me... when faced with the suggestion that fairy tales scare children, his response was that their fear comes from the universe of their soul, not the story. The fairy tale only provides a definite character to apply that fear to. Further, the purpose of the fairy tale is not the scary dragon itself, but to introduce St. George who ultimately overcomes. As long as the fear exists, the fairy tale exposes it, demystifies it, and defeats it.

Catcher in the Rye is a fairy tale. Taking Chesterton maybe more seriously than he might have intended, the point is to show the power of Holden's cynicism, and then demonstrate how to overcome it.

[Shadrack]

Being a teenager is awesome and no one wants to grow up to be apart of this terrible, phony world. "

You're already part of this world at any age. Good luck with the blue pill though. :)

[Renee E]

But, Feliks, that's what you seem to think of everyone, other than yourself.

And, Sgt. Wildgoose, part of the reason our generation can't communicate with teens and seem isolated to their parents and grandparents is because the parental and grandparental generation refuses to embrace the changes and look beyond their own limited sphere of influence.

Technology, the net and all its wonders have opened up an entire WORLD to explore, people to meet beyond the borders of our neighborhoods, schools and places of work.

Maybe if our generation was less afraid and less inanely resistant to change we'd realize they aren't the ones isolated — and we'd have some common ground to meet on as well as have some credibility when we warn them about actions and consequences out in the Wild Wild Web.

Our children and grandchildren have access to things we couldn't even dream of when we were their age. And too many of us still can't, or won't.

My favorite age kids is when they reach that stage where everyone else wishes they could lock 'em in the basement and feed 'em with a slingshot. That's when they've got things to say . . . if they know you'll listen.

[Brad]

Debating "phoniness" with an avatar seems a pointless exercise.

So is generalizing about teenagers and their experience. My experience has been that teenagers are interesting or not in pretty much the same ratio that other folks are interesting or not, when you listen carefully.

[Emma]

I can just tell you that I am a high school student and I read this book in my own time, out side of school. I absolutely love this book, it's one of my favourite books ever, but the teachers aren't teaching it to us! Why?

[Theodorus B.]

I was exposed to J.D Salinger long before school, however it wasn't taught to me until now, in college. I think Catcher in the Rye is overrated, but I still like it. I also think it's worth a read for at least 12th graders.

[Renee E]

Edward wrote: "Not to argue your point, I would merely point out that this book was written before the advent of juvenile delinquents, greasers, hippies, punks and whatever came next. It's about our early rebellion to the dead; that's all. Join the diminishing club. We need new members.
..."

I hadn't thought about it before, but Rules of 48 would be a good companion book to read after CitR.

[Shadrack]

Edward wrote: "Best of wishes, to you, the young and relevant."

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry." He stopped and took a big drink out of his highball."

Not so young anymore, but hopefully still relevant. :)

[Cosmic]

Feliks wrote: "Beh. This book is wasted on today's teenagers. They haven't got two braincells to rub together to generate some spiritual angst like Holden Caulfield had. They're unable to properly receive a novel..."

I think that the youth of today don't know how to read a classic. They want to read a book like the Catcher like they watch movies. That is not who the Catcher is for. It is for people who really wanted to know what Salinger thought about WW2. When you have been through a war and "know" what it is then you learn to tell stories and truth in such a way as to be heard but not dead. This is what Salinger did in what I believe is an allegory of war, markets, secret societies and of course corruption. But he was so brilliant that the liberal arts dept goes around and smuggly calls this a novel about teenage angst. Since when did you hear a rebellious teenage worry about the ducks in Central Park South? Where do they get that idea from. Brilliant! Not!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Cosmic]

Brittany wrote: "I was exposed to J.D Salinger long before school, however it wasn't taught to me until now, in college. I think Catcher in the Rye is overrated, but I still like it. I also think it's worth a read ..."

So it was taught to you in college.
Did the teacher mention why Holden was interested in where the ducks go that live in the lagoon @ Central Park South?
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Did she or he discuss why Holden liked Eustacia Vye inThe Return of the Native?

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Did she play Smoke Gets In Your Eyes when you got to the carousel? Did she tell you that Glenn Miller had recorded this so that it could be played on the radio to the Germans as a propaganda piece? Did she tell you that Glenn Miller never made it back to the States after making the recording at Abbey Road Studios because Mr. Ossenburger must have been praying for another stiff and he was dumped in the pond?

Or how did Holden get a "good Good-bye"? I just wonder if it is worth taking a class to broaden my understanding of the Catcher or if they are going to just stick to their story and not really invite any discussion because they are morons?
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Theodorus B.]

Cosmic wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I was exposed to J.D Salinger long before school, however it wasn't taught to me until now, in college. I think Catcher in the Rye is overrated, but I still like it. I also think i..."

Well the class I took was a Banned Books class, so it focused on why these books were banned. We, however, discussed every topic you asked about. You should take a class.... it's great to be able to analyze a book and think it over with different minds.

[Cosmic]

Brittany wrote: "Well the class I took was a Banned Books class, so it focused on why these books were banned. We, however, discussed every topic you asked about. You should take a class.... it's great to be able to analyze a book and think it over with different minds. ...."

That would be fun!
This is one of the advantages of being on a book group thread is that you can discuss....but it is sometimes nice when the discussion is directed. But as Holden say, he also likes it when the person digress.

[Theodorus B.]

It's interesting how frustrating I find Holden, but also how similar I am to him.