Argumentative Essay On Catcher In The Rye As A Literary Classic

Throughout the United States' history, a series of wars transpired, completely altering the American way of life. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger, takes place following the second world war depicting the life of a teenager, Holden Caulfield. Within the novel, Caulfield struggles during his transition to adulthood over a span of three days after his expulsion from Pencey Prep. The novel itself conveys several aspects considering its placement among well-known literary classics, although many disregard it as such. As a result of the novel's ability to portray its time period, establish a sense of admiration from readers, and its relevance to its readers, The Catcher in the Rye qualifies as a literary classic.

The Catcher in the Rye distinctly portrays its time, indicating its place among well-known classics. Written post World War II, the novel, created in 1951, conveys numerous characteristics demonstrating the era of its creation. This ideology is present within The Catcher in the Rye as Caulfield is, “a product of war” (Pintur). Americans adapted to altered living conditions due to the second world war causing protagonist Caulfield’s persistent conflict with the conception of entering adulthood. This concept is existent throughout the novel as J.D Salinger achieved, “incredible discipline really sticking to the kid’s voice, even when he’s inarticulate” (“The Greatest Literature”). The conception of maintaining a constant period throughout the entirety of a book is consistently present within renowned classical literature. The Catcher in the Rye portrays the novel from Caulfield's perspective, consistently maintaining his voice and mannerisms. This consistency is frequently present throughout other widely acclaimed classics such as The Scarlet Letter sustaining its Puritan ideals and conceptions. Other existing classics such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet obtain the same attributes supporting the idea behind persistence in depicting a specific period. J.D Salinger's ability to retain a consistent portrayal of a specific era within The Catcher in the Rye permits its classification as a literary classic.

The Catcher in the Rye visibly embodies aspects of a literary classic due to the admiration in which it attracted from readers. J.D Salinger published The Catcher in the Rye during the early 1950s in response to the second World War. Upon its publication, “tens of millions of copies have been sold and hundreds of thousands more every year” (“The Greatest Literature”).  Many continue to obtain an intense admiration for the novel through the decades since its publication. This sense of appreciation portrays the novel's impact against readers who genuinely related to the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Yearly, high schools continue to include the novel within reading curriculums. To this day, “The Catcher in the Rye remains one of the most referred-to books” (Trubek). Consistent purchases annually of the J.D Salinger novel conveys the concept of praise from readers and a sense of appreciation of the novel's creation. The novel is continuously referred to by many within the modern age, despite its publication decades ago. This idea visibly qualifies The Catcher in the Rye as a literary classic. The novel managed to maintain its popularity throughout the decades through readers who deeply value the novel itself. As the novel approaches its 70th anniversary, it continues to sustain its popularity since its publication in 1951. Many continue to obtain their sense of appreciation for the novel despite its old age establishing its place among prominent literary classics.

 Due to its relevance to its readers, The Catcher in the Rye obtains eligibility as a literary classic. Holden Caulfield presents himself to be the protagonist within The Catcher in the Rye, obtaining certain concepts towards the idea of adulthood. Throughout the novel, Caulfield maintains a childlike innocence and mindset due to his inability to accept his inevitable adulthood transition. This shared ideology is common among individuals similar in age to Caulfield, allowing them to feel a particular connection to the novel and Caulfield himself. Literary classics often, “touch readers to their very core, partly because they integrate themes that are understood by readers from a wide range of backgrounds” (Lombardi). Caulfield’s personality and mindset on specific topics permitted a large variety of readers to relate to his character on personal levels. He suffered through traumatic experiences and often felt like, “committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window” (Salinger 57). Readers seemed to relate to Caulfield through their personal experiences permitting its classification as a form of classical literature. Renowned classical literature often display themes and ideas audiences relate to, which The Catcher in the Rye possesses. Caulfield acquires a mindset fixated on the idea of preserving his childhood innocence. He dreads the concept of adulthood, believing, “It’d be entirely different...It wouldn’t be the same at all. You don’t see what I mean at all” (Salinger 72). This concept presents itself as a consistent mindset within teenagers' minds, increasing the novel's popularity. Furthermore, the novel obtains aspects to which readers strongly relate to, emphasizing its well-deserved place among other literary classics. 

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger, is a renowned novel portraying a teenager's life during the 1950s. The novel obtains many aspects permitting its classification among other well-known classical literature. Despite opposing arguments, the novel portrays numerous characteristics, emphasizing its placement among other known literary classics, such as its ability to convey its time. Many readers related to the novel on a personal level due to the experiences in which the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, encountered, permitting a sense of appreciation for the novel itself. These factors portray The Catcher in the Rye as a famous novel allowing its classification as a literary classic.