J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye had a quite outstanding influence on American culture in the 1960s. The main character of the book, Holden Caufield, has become quite an icon for freedom, free thought, and positive social change. Throughout his adventures, Caufield unravels the American society as corrupt, evil, and oppressive. His battles with the big institutions of the state question American authority and pose an interesting question, is the structure put in place a good fit for all?
The Catcher in the Rye is one of Salinger’s best books, making an incredible story and novel. Here are some of the most interesting ideas that changed American society after the book’s publication.
Questioning the establishment
When Holden starts questioning family, religion, and basic institutions of the state, America’s perspective changes. As a teenager, Caufield knows no better – and as a child, his supposedly infantile, naïve perspective makes sense. Holden pushes for social change in many situations throughout the book. He discusses race, sexual freedom, women’s rights, and even touches on the controversial idea of the Vietnam War. He is dragging new concepts into sight and explaining them in a rather unexpected manner. Until Salinger, America was not used to openly debating social institutions and well-embedded social concepts.
Questioning the establishment symbolizes a break in American society, a rupture that was supposed to happen. When social structures are questioned, the whole world could be falling apart. But that was not the case for American society. The U.S. stood right up again and underwent changes that brought light to the new world. Students reading this book were surprised at how the postmodern aspects of Salinger’s book helped America thrive and give another meaning to life for everyone.
Developing a new sense of purpose
The youth started questioning the purpose of going to war and being involved in political and economic matters. These ideas brought new questions to light and helped young adults understand their real-life purpose. It was not all about war anymore – there was a new concept waiting to be noticed and understood somewhere in the background of the American society. Of course, psychology played an important role in this whole schema.
Holden Caufield’s insecurities about the self and his persona caught the attention of the reader, making him/her question their own identity. Starting at a micro level, this idea evolved to the point of questioning the whole concept of society and its development. This idea was highlighted by Caufield’s experience and adventures, which was an important hallmark in the psychological development of American society.
An alienation of an entire generation
The book promotes the idea of alienation throughout its development, underlining the importance of honesty and realness in one’s life. Phoniness is not something to be valued by the American society anymore, not even in reading; now, the old concepts of social norms are dirty, shallow, and wrong. A schism between the society and the individual takes a new shape; some called it alienation. The new norms through which society is perceived differently from the old ones and alienate the reader from the social context. Students can read more about this at https://eduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/catcher-in-the-rye/ to understand what society has gone through during this time. By giving it a whole new meaning, the social ideologies don’t stand anymore, and individuals don’t subscribe to the same norms as before.
Thus, freedom starts to actually mean something. Sovereignty is perceived in the right way. The idea of a postwar economy is shaped according to social standards. Everything changes because American society changes abruptly.
America is growing up
The ‘American dream’ means something different now. America is finally growing up and realizing that the individual can and should be differentiated from his or her society. A person must express his or her own ideas in an individual manner, because every person is different and unique at its core. American society rejects the old structure and purpose of life and gives it a whole new meaning through books and social norms. The old culture creates destruction, while the new culture promotes social change. The new culture supports the individual and its uniqueness, while the old culture supports old attitudes long gone. Nothing is permanent, so Americans now understand that they must let go of ‘always’ and embrace the new.
Irony prevails
The greatest irony of all is in the main character’s description. Caufield is a 16-year old rebel who questions everything and listens to nobody. However, the irony is in the fact that Holden changes the whole American society by giving it a new structure and meaning. While a rebel, Salinger’s character manages to question everything about the old ways of living and promote anything different.
Wrapping Up
The Catcher in the Rye has had an important impact on American society during the 20th century. It’s changed the way in which society perceives the individual and vice versa. Salinger’s masterpiece is always to be remembered.
