1951, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye has served as a firestorm for controversy and debate.

Critics have argued the moral issues brought on by the book and the context in which it is

presented. Some critics have argued that Salinger's tale of the human condition is fascinating and

enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The psychological battles of the novel's main character,

Holden Caulfield, serve as the basis for critical argument. Caulfield's self-destruction over a period

of days forces one to contemplate society's attitude toward the human condition. Salinger's

portrayal of Holden, which includes incidents of depression, nervous breakdown, impulsive

spending, sexual exploration, vulgarity, and other erratic behavior, have all attributed to the

controversial nature of the novel. Yet the novel is not without its sharp advocates, who argue that

it is a critical look at the problems facing American youth during the 1950's. When developing a

comprehensive opinion of the novel, it is important to consider the praises and criticisms of The

Two of J.D. Salinger short stories, "I'm Crazy" and "Slight Rebellion

Before his novel, J.D. Salinger was of basic non-literary status, having written for years

than himself, and a completely hilarious date with Sally Hayes, an old girlfriend (74). The humor

made to make the text, told by the boy himself, as accurate and yet as imaginative as possible. In

flees to Phoebe, the only person he completely trusts (Davis 318). S.N. Behrman also noted that

adolescents, runaways from society, seeking independence, growth, and stability in their lives.

Both works feature naive, adolescent runaways as narrators, both commenting on the problems of

it is a critical look at the problems facing American youth during the 1950's. When developing a

Other commentators have noted that much of the humor in The Catcher in the Rye comes from

not tragedy." This may be Salinger's intent, as Holden's world does not possess sufficient

other, was devoured and picked apart piece by piece. One of the most widespread criticisms of

used as an educational resource in high schools throughout the nation (Davis 317-18).

crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff. I mean if

encounters, who are generally, except for Phoebe, nonessential (Behrman 71).

adult world cannot survive without suspense and lies. It is a testament to his innocence and decent

have made him a longtime favorite of high school and university audiences, establishing Salinger

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 7350
Approximate Pages = 29 (250 words per page double spaced)