Book Club
by Elena Black
Hello again, dear Slytherins. It really is amazing how fast time can fly, isn't it? One would start to wonder if that's really the Snitch in disguise. At any rate, 2014 is about to come to a close and soon, we will be in the new year of 2015. Much like the theme of New Year's, there are some books which have aspects of starting over in some form or fashion. The change can be as simple and subtle as altering one's life style, a choice someone made, somehow improving themselves for the better, or perhaps a combination of all of these and more. I thus introduce to you this month's book: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Catcher in the Rye is by far one of the most controversial Muggle books. For the longest time, it was banned due to the mannerisms of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, and how they were displayed. He was viewed by many as an icon for teenage rebellion. Despite this being a common phase between Muggle and magical folk alike, this character created such an impact among the Muggle population.
As our story begins, the day has been anything but good for Holden. He missed a football game. To make matters worse, he accidentally left the fencing equipment he was supposed to be in charge of keeping track of as a manager on a subway. When he arrives at his school, Pencey Prep which is located in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, he is informed he is expelled. After a series of fights and disturbances from various roommates, Holden leaves his dorm and heads to a hotel to stay at for a while.
The arrival at the hotel is the start of his new life. From there, Salinger relays of various tales and travels that Holden encounters. A few flashbacks are also included, one of which has Holden recalling him visiting the Museum of Natural History, a location he often visited as a child. There are also a few times his attention shifts over to his sister, Phoebe.
Of course, there is a lot more that I have purposely left a mystery to you all. Why? It's my job, for one. Two, it's easier to read the book for yourself to see not only all the things he endured during his new life but properly judge for yourself if you truly think he was an actual rebel or not.
Honestly, it depends largely on how you define the term 'rebel'. Did he make some unorthodox choices? Oh yes, definitely. But that doesn't necessarily make him a rebel. Personally, I think he was mislabeled. However, with Catcher in the Rye being published in 1951, this may be a contribution as to why. Muggles had very different point of views from back then and could often interpret things in a very eccentric manner. Perhaps for the people of 1951, he was considered a rebel.
But if you read it nowadays, chances are that at worst, Holden was unique for a lack of better wording. I'm not sure, however, if 'rebel' could ever properly be used as something to identify Holden being.
Catcher in the Rye is by far one of the all time favorite books despite the fact it used to be a banned piece of literature. I definitely recommend giving it a shot if you're looking for something new and different, because that certainly fits Catcher in the Rye.
Until next time,
Elena Black