Among many reasons of The Catcher in the Rye's success, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, seems to be the most relevant and prominant point to success. Caulfield's similarities with Salinger are quite remarkable, yet they can be heavily compared. Salinger was a bit of a recluse who did not find amusement in society. Caulfield on the other hand, enjoyed the city and various aspects of human life. With that said, Caulfield and Salinger share very similar qualities. Caulfield is lost, vunerable, and quite distrusting of various characters. His resentment toward various persons is prominant in the novel. He is a unique, bold, and undeniable character. Salinger seemed to contain those same qualities. He used contemporary ideals to entertain his audience. Caulfield believed in radical ideals as well.
I believe Caulfield's inspiration is due to his relation with intelligent adolescent readers. His appeal is undeniabley powerful. Many readers longed for a response to thier society. The Catcher in the Rye offers a secular resolution to many conflicts in life. By using contemporary ideals and actions to solve conflicts, Salinger gained a strong, secular fan base. Many can commend Salinger for his popular writing techniques. I believe his message of society and seclusion will remain untouched. Although his style of writing was original, many religious supporters disliked the novel. They felt it needed a religious message to become tolerable. Various public schools banned the novel. Its use of language, sexual themes, and drugs seemed to be useful aspects used to outlaw the novel. Although many were against The Catcher in the Rye, the novel seemed to gain a strong and supporting audience who resisted its' extermination.
Caulfield can be compared to many new characters in today's novels, films, and television shows. His unique dialougue and suggestive themes are similar to various characters in today's society. Many new characters contain a vulgar and unhappy mindset. In the media today, a suggestive and complex theme seems to be quite popular. The Catcher in the Rye offers a new development in contemporary literature. This can be a significant reason for the novels survival and resistance. Caulfield's complex thought process will be remembered for many decades to come.
