The Novel, the Catcher in the Rye, Depicts the Protagonist as a Lonely Youth. Discuss How Salinger Has Created a Model of a Disassociated Youth, Which Is Still Relevant in Contemporary Society.

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Salinger has created this concept of disassociated youth, which in contemporary society has labeled them as introverts. Salinger’s protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield was one of the leading pioneers of this alienation to society. Many of Holden’s actions could’ve easily been seen as rebellious and obviously out of the norm by the 1950’s society, whom was the first readers of the novel. This concept of disassociated youth was ignited by Salinger but slowly became quite contagious and even 60 years after the publication of the novel this concept is still burning. The tremendous success of the novel was obvious during the first publication. As a result of its controversial use of coarse language and adult themes in an adolescent text it became a widespread phenomenon. Although the reception was not all positive, the novel became a hit with the teenage demographic of the time. Holden became their hero or idol. This was because of the eccentric and peculiar attitudes and outlook on life of the protagonist that made the novel such an attraction. The way Holden could judge someone based on looks may sound really prejudice, but most of his judgments panned out to be accurate. Many readers (even me) began to have the same perception of society after closing the book. Somehow Salinger has transformed the readers’ minds to become more judgmental and see more ‘phonies’ in society. This consequently made youth feel alienated and began sharing the same views of Holden Caulfield of this world full of ‘phonies’. After multitudes of the teenage population began to open the book and fall into the world of Holden Caulfield, they began to change to outlook of society. Before the publication of this book teenagers were ignored, due to the marginalized age difference with any other generation. The Catcher in the Rye became their bible it was the first of anything

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