J.D. Salinger, the beloved author of “The Catcher in the Rye,” died today at the age of 91. According to his son, his death was of natural causes at his home in New Hampshire.
“The Catcher in the Rye” was written in 1951, and has remained a memorable part of every teenager’s education since. Written during the Cold War era, Salinger intended for his audience to consist of adults who were living through this time of anxiety and hardship. However, even to this date, teens have been able to relate to “The Catcher in the Rye” and have pegged the novel’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as the face of teenage rebellion.
Throughout the plot, Caulfield struggles with his identity, loneliness, and, infamously, the “phoniness” of the adult world. To adolescent readers, the novel has represented all of the issues they face but are never able to put into words. Consequently, reading “The Catcher in the Rye” has shaped so many of our teenage lives and has affected the way we have dealt with teenage angst and adversity. The novel reminds us all that we are not alone in conquering the pain that comes with growing up and that it is OK to let our inner Holden Caulfield’s to shine through.
Although Salinger never wanted to be famous or known to the public, often refusing interviews and remaining a recluse, we will never forget his contribution to literature and American culture. He will forever be regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time.
