Ikonboard » Printable Version of Topic

Forum: The Classroom
Topic: The Catcher in the Rye
started by: LiNeY

Posted by LiNeY on Jul. 15 2001,18:36

Today, June 16th, 2001, it's been exactly 50 years that J.D. Salinger's first and only novel "The Catcher in the Rye", was first published. The book has long become a "cult object" for young people all over the world, including myself.

However, a lot of people (usually older people), claim that it is not modern anymore, that the kids of today could neither like nor understand it anymore and that it had shortly outlived its time and its fame. On the other hand, I know quite a lot of people like me who still think it a great book with a message to convey to today's kids, regardless when it was written. I had a heated argument with my mom about this today which lasted for more than half an hour (and I still didn't manage to convince her - she just doesn't like the book).

Now, what I would like to know is:

Have you read Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye"?
If yes, did you like it? And why?
Do you think that the "Catcher in the Rye" is still a book, and that Holden Caulfield is still a protagonist, that teenagers can identify with?

------------------
I can resist everything - except Temptation. (Oscar Wilde)

Posted by t|nt|n on Jul. 15 2001,18:43

I am ashamed to say that I have never read it

Posted by cr0bar on Jul. 15 2001,18:44

Truly a great book. I may read it again someday.

Posted by Rhydant on Jul. 15 2001,18:48

whats it about?
and is it usually read in highschool english classes?

------------------
I may be paranoid, but not an Android.

Posted by chmod on Jul. 15 2001,19:01

it really is a good book. but my stupid english teacher ruined the ending for me.

also, the guy who killed John Lennon claimed to have been motivated by this book to commit the murder... I think he was angry because he thought Lennon was phony, and "phoniness" was a theme of the book. Interesting.

Posted by veilside on Jul. 15 2001,19:17

quote:
Originally posted by LiNeY:
Have you read Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye"?
If yes, did you like it? And why?
Do you think that the "Catcher in the Rye" is still a book, and that Holden Caulfield is still a protagonist, that teenagers can identify with?

i enjoyed the catcher in the rye very much, as did the rest of my english class this year. unlike other books we read this past year, the catcher in the rye seemes to transcend its time period and really identify with teenagers. (my classmates of course denied that they were in the same "state" as holden at the end of the book.. heh.) personally, i identified with holden a lot. i think many teenagers of now can identify with him as well.

Posted by LiNeY on Jul. 15 2001,19:18

Rhydant - it is about a guy of about 15-16 who is pretty dreamy and sort of a loner. He has to go to boarding school, and is never really cared for, and he is in a way a shattered personality because of his family history and all... The plot is that 3 days before Christmas he learns that he will again be dismissed by the prep school he goes to, so he decides that he doesn't want to stay. Because it is not yet Christmas vacation, he can't go home, so he just goes to New York City and hangs around there alone for 3 days. The book is written in his perspective and deals with his teenage problems - feeling alone, trying to behave like an adult, not being allowed to drink, having a hooker come to his room and not really knowing what to do with her, etc...
It's mainly a book about growing up, feeling alone, and the differences and lack of understanding between adults and teenagers. There are some really touching scenes and thoughts in it, and the whole book seems very close to life because it is written in slang (okay, 1950's slang, but at least slang).

And I dunno about High School English classes... I think it is one of the standards. It is even one of the standards for English class here in Germany...

Posted by Pickle Therapy Lady on Jul. 15 2001,21:11

This really puts me to shame then since I've never read it either. Unfortunately it was not a reading requirement in ANY English/Lit class I have taken (HS or College). And the fact that as much as I love lit and haven't read it yet makes my lack of reading it send me immediately to Barnes and Nobles (ok...maybe post paycheck but anyway).
For the description of self torment that the character seems to be forgoing in the book, it really reminds me of the sort of overall mood that Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre has to it. Just going on the impression I get from your [Lin's] description of course. If so ... I can't wait to read it.

Posted by [liquid] meta on Jul. 16 2001,01:31

i honestly think we can still relate to the book. the book has always been a required book at the high school i went to for incoming juniors. it teaches a lot about life.

Posted by CowboyNeal on Jul. 16 2001,01:42

Rye gives me gas. And I don't mean the kind where you can't wait to get off the elevator. . .let's just say you'd be wise not to smoke in my presence after I've eaten a hearty rye loaf or ten.

Posted by L33T_h4x0r_d00d on Jul. 16 2001,12:51

Man he had a fucked up life. Do you remember where he was telling the story from? I wont ruin it but i feel like i should be there sometimes. Holden Caulfield, what a fucked up name to start with.

------------------
Colt 45 and two zig zags, baby thats all we need. We can go to the park after dark and smoke that tumble weed. As the marijuana burn we can take our turn, singing them dirty rap songs. Stop and hit the bong like cheech and chong, and sell tapes from here to hong kong.

Posted by Vulu on Jul. 16 2001,18:03

"A man who is falling isn't permitted to hear himself hit the bottom"

Or something like that.

I LOVE that book. I wrote a 1000+ word in-depth essay on it last year. If I get the time I might post it. Probably the most true-to-teenage-life concept in the book is that Holden is the protaganist AND the antagonist.

I urge anyone who hasn't read it already to go pick it up.

Posted by hal0 on Jul. 16 2001,18:09

First off.. it's July. Not June.. not sure if you picked up on that.

Second.. I did read it, and I thought it was an awesome book. I didn't read it for a class or anything, I just always heard about it and I thought what the hell. I can definitely say that teenagers today would like this book, I'm a teenager, and I liked it. From the minute Holden says Dammit, on like the first page, I had to keep reading it. It wasn't like any other book I've read. Salinger has such a weird ass writing style, it's real cool. Ok whatever.. go read George Orwell - 1984 while you are at it.

------------------
"that's even better! hot lesbian witches.. think about it, it's fucking genius!" - charlie sheen

Posted by TheTaxMan on Jul. 17 2001,05:45

I never had to read it (assigned) in four years of high school and haven't read it on my own either. However, I did have to read Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, both of which I thought were really good. The majority of my classes, on the other hand, hated his writing style (long winded description, not advancing the plot for chapters...). In any case, I just wanted to see what people thought of Steinbeck w/o starting a new thread.

Enjoy!

Posted by LiNeY on Jul. 17 2001,21:42

TheTaxMan - Steinbeck is cool! I read "East of Eden" some years ago and liked it a lot, and some other book of him (Cannery Row? - I totally forgot the title). I like his way of describing landscapes and people - although I've never been there, I have a feeling of knowing California well because of his books.

Posted by afropik on Jul. 17 2001,23:24

quote:
Originally posted by chmod:
also, the guy who killed John Lennon claimed to have been motivated by this book to commit the murder...

They've found this book in many famous assassin's posessions. There's a theory that the CIA was using it as part of a brainwashing tactic. I can't remember who else had the book, but once I find a book of mine, I'll throw the names up here.

Oh, also, John Steinbeck owns you. Plain and simple.

------------------

quote:
Originally posted by Sithiee:
afro is a good newbie. he adds intelligent comments, and doesnt go flaming people that he shouldnt. well done.

Posted by chmod on Jul. 17 2001,23:40

quote:
Originally posted by LiNeY:
Today, June 16th, 2001, it's been exactly 50 years that J.D. Salinger's first and only novel "The Catcher in the Rye", was first published.

It wasn't his ONLY novel... he has written some others (at least one, I know). The only one I know the name of right now is "Franny and Zoey" which i never read. Or maybe it's Zooey, I'm not sure.

Posted by Pickle Therapy Lady on Jul. 18 2001,00:08

quote:
Originally posted by TheTaxMan:
I never had to read it (assigned) in four years of high school and haven't read it on my own either. However, I did have to read Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, both of which I thought were really good. The majority of my classes, on the other hand, hated his writing style (long winded description, not advancing the plot for chapters...). In any case, I just wanted to see what people thought of Steinbeck w/o starting a new thread.
Enjoy!

Awesome author based on my opinion of The Grapes of Wrath. I absolutely loved his description of the cars that would go whizzing past them and referring to them as caskets on wheels. Symbolism has always been a great interest to me and that held a lot in and of itself.

Posted by melk0r on Jul. 18 2001,00:14

yes, i read it.

yes, i think it still hold some value that kids can relate to in modern day, but not most kids. i think that holden was damned cynical and depressed, and kids today just arent. i think its because they use more pot.

Posted by LiNeY on Jul. 18 2001,10:09

quote:
Originally posted by chmod:
It wasn't his ONLY novel... he has written some others (at least one, I know). The only one I know the name of right now is "Franny and Zoey" which i never read. Or maybe it's Zooey, I'm not sure.

"Franny" and "Zooey" are two short stories. Salinger also wrote another short story collection "For Esme with Love and Squalor". However, "The Catcher in the Rye" is his only novel.

Posted by L33T_h4x0r_d00d on Jul. 18 2001,10:56

quote:
Originally posted by TheTaxMan:
The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, both of which I thought were really good

<nelson>Heres the grapes..AND HERES THE WRATH <ghallager style big fucking mallet smashing></nelson>

Oh and has anyone read "Flowers For Algernon"? Another great book.

Posted by askheaves on Jul. 18 2001,14:54

quote:
Originally posted by L33T_h4x0r_d00d:
Oh and has anyone read "Flowers For Algernon"? Another great book.

Yes I have. Forced upon my in 8th grade, and I liked it

It was a long story basically explaining how ignorance is bliss and enlightment is a pain in the ass. That bodes well with my lifestyle

Posted by afropik on Jul. 19 2001,01:46

In the words of Zach De La Rocha:
If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face.