What does it take to be a Classic: The Catcher in the Rye
How does a book become a classic and what does it mean? No one can easily answer the question. We do know that classic novels seem to stand the test of time with many of begging to be read again and again. These books continue to give our teachers plenty to talk about and scholars plenty to write about. So, they must have something to say and it must be something readers care about. Does a work need glowing reviews from respected, high-powered critics or is selling tons of copies what it takes? Plenty of classics have had their share of criticism. After all, one person’s opinion is just one person’s opinion, right? Assessing whether any piece of art has value or not is not as simple as grading an SAT or an AP Calculus exam. So what constitutes a classic novel? Do critics hold the key or is it just enough for a novel to endure the ages?
Take The Catcher in the Rye. Written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, this novel was both
praised and criticized. There was no doubt that it was a success, but reactions to the book were extreme. The Catcher in the Rye was a popular best seller and it was clear that teenagers from every corner of the world felt a strong connection to Holden Caulfield. Many high school teachers love teaching the book and countless teenagers consider it one of their top picks. Fans believed that Salinger tapped into the honest, true, deep-rooted feelings and thoughts of young people with the character of Holden. But, like many things that are popular, The Catcher in the Rye was not only adored. The book had more than its fair share of critics and plenty of controversy surrounding it. Some critics of the book griped about the casual writing style while others simply did not like the Holden character saying they felt he was self-centered or whiny. Does that sound like the makings of a classic? The Catcher in the Rye was controversial and for a long time it was one of the most censored and challenged books in schools. Most of the hoopla was over Holden’s potty mouth with people also getting heated up over references to sex, prostitution, smoking, and drinking.
What does all this drama amount to? Do extreme, passionate reactions to a book prove its worth or value? Like the motto, “all PR is good PR,” is any talk about a book good for its reputation? Is it possible for a book to become classic simply because people talk about it? Is The Catcher in the Rye a classic by its inherent merit or is it merely a result of all the controversy? Will The Catcher in the Rye endure and continue to be read, discussed, debated, and adored? Only time will tell. What about your favorite new book? Will it still be read one hundred years from now? Does it have what it takes to be called a classic?
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