Blog #36: The Catcher in the Rye

Back to this very mysterious question- Why do we still read this book? Well first of all I would like to say that I was actually interested in reading this book where as all of the other summer reading novels I was not so enthused to be reading. I think that the fact that the novel was about a teenage boy made it a little easier to read because as juniors in high school we can kind of relate to Holden in a few of his situations. I think that this book really shows that times have changed throughout history because Holden was able to get into all of the bars and clubs in New York City, but today you have to be of age to get in. Other than that I think that the story is timeless. Holden was one of those kids in school that just really did not try their best. I think that there are probably people at Pleasant Plains High School that have the same mindset as Holden, but they will never get to read this book because they will either refuse to read it, or they will not take the honors classes that require you to read more of the classic novels. I think that because we still have people in the world today like Holden that the message and the characters in this book are timeless. I think that there are many kids in high school today that think they should be considered adults. I am sure that there are kids at our school that are in sexual relationships and drink alcohol to be more mature in appearance. I think that there are also those kids who do not want to grow up. They are grown up and still living at home whether that is because they cannot find a job or they cannot afford a home of their own. I think that if you are going to college by the time that you graduate, you should be out of your parents house. If you are not going to college I think you should be out by the time you find a job and get your feet on the floor. I actually do understand why we are reading this novel because I can actually relate to Holden in the story.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Back Bay, 2001. Print.