The Value

The College Board requires that students select books of "comparable literary merit", a phrase that all AP English Literature students have heard several times throughout their class, no doubt.  This phrase can be a bit daunting, for the subject of literary merit can be somewhat subjective.  When given the assignment to choose an "AP worthy" book, the first one that came to my mind was J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.  I seemed to miss the boat on this book;  many of my friends and classmates have read this iconic classic, yet, before this assignment, I was unable to tell you what the novel was even remotely about.

Having finished Salinger's novel, I understand why the work is so highly regarded (and debated) among teachers, readers, and critics.  However, Catcher in the Rye is the quintessential "coming of age" novel and essentially established the idea of being a teenager in the literary world.  Salinger was one of the authors that developed the genre, per say, of "coming of age" novels, his work deeply affecting many young adults who read this iconic book.  Although controversial in some aspects, this famous (or infamous) novel is one of those works that has truly bridged the generation gap; teenagers today can still relate to the feeling of rebellion against their teachers and parents and that sense of teenage angst.  Catcher in the Rye seems to be one of those books that everyone either loves or strongly dislikes, as very few lie on that middle ground.  From what I can understand, the relevance and literary merit of this work is much more noticeable when the reader is younger, especially a teenager experiencing an "existential crisis" of sorts.  The more the reader can relate to Holden as a character, the more the reader will respect Salinger's great work.

Beyond the teenage aspect of it, Salinger's book teaches readers that their actions truly do affect others.  Although this is seen several times throughout the book, it is most prevalent in the interactions between Holden and his sister, Phoebe.  When she is questioning him about what he likes and Holden is struggling to find an answer for her, this puts him into a depressed state, as he realizes that she is right, that he doesn't really, really like very much of anything.  Additionally, when Phoebe adamantly states that she is going with him out west, only to be thoroughly shot down, she becomes very "sore" with Holden.  Because he dislikes seeing her so angry and upset, Holden revokes his plans and decides to stay in New York City.  Had it not been for Phoebe's actions and comments, Holden may not have experienced the changes he did or have faced up to the life in front of him.

Although hotly debated, Catcher in the Rye is a classic in modern literature and serves as one of the defining pieces in our literary history.  Depicting the change in Holden and the growing up he does throughout the novel makes it relatable to teenagers all across the country, the world, and the generation gaps.  Salinger's coming of age tale is able to speak to the masses and reinstate a sense of enjoyment and pleasure in reading today.