The Catcher in the Rye #5

The Catcher in the Rye was written in the year 1945. This year falls right around the end of World War II, but the novel actually takes place several years later around 1948 or 1949. The novel does reflect the tone and feel of the era that it was written in. As the war ended, the nation was probably celebrating and having a big old party. But for some of the younger generation, around Holden's age, there could be some confusion. For having grown up during a war time period, suddenly having it coming to a end could lead the people of this generation becoming confused about what will happen as they grow up. If you were  young teenager during the war, you probably assumed you were going to be fighting in war when you got older. But having the war end, might mean those kids would have to figure out something else to do with their future. This kind of confusion is exactly what Holden is feeling. He flunked out of another school, Pencey, and is now wondering around the city without any kind of plans for the rest of his life.

This novel also is very symbolic to teenagers of any time period, because of how anyone can sympathize with Holden's dilemmas. The novel is mostly about Holden's angst about growing up. Most teenagers also have this same feeling about the fear of the future, growing up, and becoming an adult. "A lot of people keep asking me if I'm going to apply myself when I go back to school in September. I mean how do you know what you're going to do until you do it? The answer is you don't. I think I am, but how do I know?" (Salinger 213). Even after all Holden has been through, he still has the same attitude about the future; whatever happens, happens. A lot of kids now a days, have adapted his same attitude.

 Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. Print.