Catcher in the Rye: Why is it timeless and what can readers learn?

I have only read this novel once, but it has been a recognizable book title for many years.  That shows that this book is timeless and that many readers value the theme and the characters!  The theme is very timeless because no one wants to grow up.  Even recently there have been pop songs released conveying that very message.  That shows that the message is still popular, but why is the book still so popular?  The way the reader can see Holdens actions and thoughts make him very relatable and likable.  However, he is not the perfect character, and readers like that.  No one wants to read a book about the perfect person.  Readers want a character that makes mistakes and they have to build themselves back up again.  Holden Caulfield is a very timeless character because he is cynical, yet sensitive.  He is half crazy, but a smart kid.  He represents many values and qualities that numerous people can relate to.  Holden also hate the phonies.  Phoniness is a factor that has lived in our society for many years and will probably live on for a while longer.  Holden's hatred for these people can be relatable because it still exists in our world.  Many people today say that they want to "stay real" and that they hate fake people.  Therefore, this is another relatable quality readers have for Holden.  Salinger did a great job creating a character with a voice and a story that readers can relate to.

The reader can learn many lessons from this novel.  You can learn that if you reject the uninviatable, you will end up losing.  Sometimes you just have to accept what is going to happen and move on.  Holden tries to avoid many things in this novel.  He avoids telling his parents he failed out of Pencey.  He also avoids calling Jane because he fears what will come of it.  He also avoids Sunny's services because he is afraid.  All of these small happenings can collectively make a reader assume he is afraid of confrentation and of growing up.  Another lesson a reader can learn from this novel is to  stay true.  Holden hates phoniness and that is quite clear.  The reader can learn to try to stay true to other people and yourself.  If you are a phony, then you might end up hurting others or yourself.  Another lesson relating to that one is learning how to deal with phonies.  Holden obviously did not handle it well because he would get angry with people or just run away.  The reader can learn not to react like Holden and to try to be mature about it.

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