It isn’t long before we forget about the books we read or the movies we watch. It’s a shame we tend to forget the traditional as we go through life. What ever happened to black and white movies and good literature?
On Jan. 27 we lost another gem—our very own famous American author died at the age of 91. Jerome David Salinger, or J. D. Salinger, was known for many of his writings and his strange personality. His most famous and recognizable work was the controversial The Catcher in the Rye. Published on July 16, 1951. The Catcher in the Rye became a classic and, later on, banned book. The protagonist Holden Caulfield is a rather reckless and careless character, and his speech was uncensored and provocative. In this book, several real life topics were discussed and brought to light. Critics, as well as school districts and libraries across the United States, decided The Catcher in the Rye was not appropriate for children and the shelves of their institutions. It was much of this negative attention that lead to Salinger’s reclusive nature.
Frankly, I think the public at the time couldn’t handle a book or character that was as raw as Holden. People were taken a back by the language and thought process of this detached character. They weren’t used to it, so they shied away from it. But what good does that do anyone?
In ancient history, theater, and books, writing taught morals that were about virtuous characters. They were made to entertain and inspire people. As time progressed into the past few centuries, writers of all kinds have attempted to make their work relatable to more and more people. They looked to reveal the problems that all kinds of people faced. We can’t all follow the rules, all the time. In fact, most of us don’t. We all have a rebellious side and sometimes make bad decisions, and we experience the consequences of those decisions everyday. So why not read about characters who do the same? There was a time when Salinger’s writing was almost unheard of, and it is a shame it wasn’t accepted when it was released.
I read The Catcher in the Rye in one of my high school English classes. We discussed Salinger’s history and the novel’s message. To many of my classmates, it was a masterpiece, and Holden was the best character they had ever read about. I’m sure if I picked it up again in college, I would appreciate the story even more. Despite the controversy surrounding the book, The Cater in the Rye is simply a story about a teenage boy.
Today, when we think about stories written about teenagers, we think about the Twilight series or Harry Potter books. Granted, those books were well received by many audiences and read by people of all ages. But they aren’t what life is really like. I go to F&M (seemingly like Hogwarts when it snows), but I can guarantee that broom flying is not in the course guide. I live in Lancaster near the Amish, but to my knowledge, none of them are vampires or desire my blood to quench their thirsts. These stories are interesting and hold my attention, but they aren’t something I can relate to. No matter how many times I read those books, when I close them, I look around and still remain in the real world. Of course, I haven’t been to three boarding schools, typically run away from my problems, and end up in compromising situations in hotels. However, at some point, if not everyday, I wonder about life and what good I am supposed to do with the time I have been given. I have, unfortunately, heard about sexual harassment/assault cases, spent time with my friends and family, lived away from home, and felt the loss of a loved one.
As much as I would like to pretend, Holden is more real to me than Bella or Harry will ever be. So don’t forget about the good old days and the stories and books that came from them. After Jan. 27, I hope you remembered J. D. Salinger. We should appreciate what writers like Salinger have done for the progression of literature. No matter how old, some stories are timeless. It is their timelessness that ultimately makes them classic.
