Writing Style
Many critics consider J.D. Salinger a very controversial writer, for the subject matters that he writes.. J.D. Salinger's works were generally written during two time periods. The first time period was during World War II, and the second time period was during the 1960's. Critics feel that the works during the 1960 time period were very inappropriate, because of the problems for which he wrote. The main characters were generally misfits of society. In most of his works, he has the protagonist of the story go on a quest for happiness. Salinger does not conform to the material happiness; the characters undergo a spiritual happiness. The characters generally start out as in bad conditions, through the end of his works they undergone changes that change them for the better.
Salinger writes The Catcher in the Rye in first person, which gives the real thoughts and feelings of Holden. He also has Holden use cuss words and slang to express his many opinions. These techniques make the whole story seem so realistic.
Holden's criticism of society is brutally honest: his profanity is atrocious, and he levels his knife against everything from religion to homosexuality without flinching. This is, after all, an adolescent's mind. Similarly, we also note the psychological exactness with which Salinger details Holden's thoughts, which reflect the symptoms of depression as well as the common biases which plague human nature.
Finally, Salinger knows when to break the heaviness of his subject matter with humor. For example, take Holden's conversation with the cabbie Horwitz about how fish stay alive in the winter. It's a classic. Sometimes there is a fine line between seriousness and humor, and Salinger dances deftly between the two.
Salinger writes The Catcher in the Rye in first person, which gives the real thoughts and feelings of Holden. He also has Holden use cuss words and slang to express his many opinions. These techniques make the whole story seem so realistic.
Holden's criticism of society is brutally honest: his profanity is atrocious, and he levels his knife against everything from religion to homosexuality without flinching. This is, after all, an adolescent's mind. Similarly, we also note the psychological exactness with which Salinger details Holden's thoughts, which reflect the symptoms of depression as well as the common biases which plague human nature.
Finally, Salinger knows when to break the heaviness of his subject matter with humor. For example, take Holden's conversation with the cabbie Horwitz about how fish stay alive in the winter. It's a classic. Sometimes there is a fine line between seriousness and humor, and Salinger dances deftly between the two.
