Catcher in the Rye 3

            Question three asks what does the universal theme address and what does the author understand about human nature? The author of the Catcher and the Rye is J.D Salinger.

            The Catcher in the Rye has many universal themes. The author J.D Salinger understands a lot about human nature. He mainly understands the way people think. This book is very relatable to teenagers, not necessarily me but others around my age. Holden does not care about school or friends. He does not want to work or try at anything. Holden just wants to be done with school and stress free. I think anyone can understand this. Nobody enjoys stress and I think the author wanted to create a fictional character that struggles with normal things. Instead of creating a superhero or famous person, Slinger creates a normal teenager with flaws. Holden wants to be happy and not depressed. He struggles with this.  

            The author also talks about how people can become full of themselves when they have a talent. He says sometimes the talent goes away when because get to cocky or confident. He says people are phony and they act fake to impress others for attention or just to fit in. Salinger discusses how people can be depressed. He understands death and the impact they can have on a person. He knows how people don’t realize how good they have it till it is gone.

            I think the author addresses many universal themes. One is he makes the book relatable. Most people around this age do not like school, they want to get out. They just want to be happy and be able to surround themselves with non-annoying or phony people, which is what seems to be most of the adults in their lives. Everyone can in some way relate to this book and I think that is why we still read it. Although it hasn't been around as long as Shakespeare I think this book will be around for a long time

           

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.