Why Is Holden Still Relatable To Teens In 2016?

Is Holden still relatable to teens in 2016? Is it possible that the classic “Catcher in the Rye” has an underlying message that many bypass? The answer to both is a solid yes. Teenagers in the modern years find it hard to relate to the way Holden and the other characters speak or the actions they perform, like going to a bar and ordering a drink. I agree with how hard it is to relate to a book that was written over 65 years ago would be harder for teens to connect to in some ways, I still believe that J.D Salinger’s ideas on isolation, the pressure of conforming to the social norms of today, and the stress Holden feels can be relatable.
In 2016, teens rely heavily on social media to connect with friends and entertain themselves, yet many fall into depression and anxiety. Holden is “white and privileged,” as Gene Kahane puts it, which makes it seem as if he is immature in his actions, but, “like many children, he is hurting and invisible,”(Kahane, 4). Looking for someone to talk to, Holden heads to bars and hires a prostitute, which many seem out of the ordinary, and today, it really is. However, instead of going to

Jennifer Schuessler writes it as the character of Holden is supposed to be relatable, but “we don’t really speak this way or talk about these things,” (Schuessler, 6). Schuessler is right in this, since teens really are no longer going to bars, and I know that 66 years is a huge time gap. But the topics that Salinger hit are hard to convey into modern day society without getting a book that seems over dramatic and is seen as a stereotypical teen romance novel. If you look over the decades old phrases, you are able to get to the deeper meaning of coming of age in a society that leaves you feeling lonely and wants you to conform to a certain