By Syed Akrama:
“Every reader reads a different story.”
When you read a book, you form an opinion about it. You come to a conclusion as per your understanding of the story. The way you perceive it is the way you react to it. Everybody has a different perspective & therefore everybody will look at the story in a different manner.
‘Disturbing’ is the last word I’d probably ever use for this great book, but I can understand why some might feel so. This book is about teenage angst, revel, confusion, loss of identity, loss of innocence, complicated thoughts. A teenage boy transforms into a mature & intellectual person through the story.
If you look at the story in a different manner, then you’ll realise that this is not disturbing, these are real thoughts which every mind holds.
Maybe your mind has been occupied by something else, but all these views, opinions are gathered down there somewhere. All it takes to bring them up is a triggering event.
Holden Caulfield doesn’t like phoney people & he prefers to stay real, but he’s confused about that. His heart goes out to the poor & needy. He is careless yet caring. He loves his sister & the relationship between Holden & little Phoebe is one of the best things about this book. I fell in love with the character of little Phoebe, her innocence, caring nature for her brother. She’s an angel & Holden cares about her a great deal.
There are a million thoughts that goes through the mind of a young kid & we all feel confused about them. This book is a description of all those thoughts and feelings. If you don’t feel connected to the world or all the lying that’s going on, then being a rebel is nothing wrong.
The Catcher in the Rye is a great novel with a totally different perspective on life. Try reading it through the mind of Holden & you’ll realise the beauty in it.
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