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The Catcher in the Rye
Synopsis and recommendation
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy who has been expelled from his prep school in Pennsylvania. After leaving school early, he wanders around New York City, struggling with his feelings of alienation and disillusionment with the adult world. Throughout the novel, Holden is confronted with various people and has several encounters that reinforce his belief that adult society is phony and corrupt.
Holden's journey ultimately culminates in a mental breakdown as he struggles to fit into the world he comes to know. Through Holden's experiences and inner monologue, the novel explores themes of innocence, adolescence, and the struggles of coming of age in a society that he perceives as dishonest and hypocritical.
Recommendation
The Catcher In The Rye explores the idea of rushing into adulthood, which is reflected throughout Holden's struggles. This novel is ideal for someone who is in their adolescence, but with the story addressing timeless concepts it can be read and thoroughly interpreted by anyone interested in a coming of age, realistic fiction novel.
The Catcher In The Rye explores the idea of rushing into adulthood, which is reflected throughout Holden's struggles. This novel is ideal for someone who is in their adolescence, but with the story addressing timeless concepts it can be read and thoroughly interpreted by anyone interested in a coming of age, realistic fiction novel.
The Bell Jar
Synopsis and Recommendation
A riveting novel written as a fictional autobiography, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath follows the author as she navigates through her early career. The character which represents her is named Esther Greenwood. A winner of a fashion magazine contest, she is sent to New York City on an adventure that is supposed to be the best experience of her life. Instead, she is plagued by the limitations of the world around her and the doubts that exist within herself. Plath's writing is both poetic and potent, urging the reader to confront prejudices that have withstood time. Set in the early 1950's, Sylvia not only grapples with the importance of motherhood but with how seriously she is addressed.
Plath not only documents the impact of sexism but the importance of belonging. As she begins to feel like an outcast amongst the people around her, she also starts to lose meaning in her own identity. The last straw for Esther is being belittled by a psychiatrist. Sent further into a downward spiral, she is forced to question existence within itself. A startling recollection of self discovery and hardship, The Bell Jar is a timeless novel which allows readers to come to terms with their own limitations.
We recommend The Bell Jar for readers who enjoy books that prompt self reflection and candid conversation. As an autobiography, the text is realistic and therefore would be best for someone who enjoys reading realistic fiction rather than fantasy. This novel includes sensitive themes such as mental illness and should be read mindfully by those who are willing to consider different perspectives.
Our Podcast
A discussion aimed to confront the main themes in both literary works, our podcast explores the pressures of society in The Bell Jar and The Catcher in The Rye. These expectations, paired with self doubt, are timeless experiences which are similarly reflected by two different characters from two different worlds. Follow us as we dive into these coming of age novels and how they reveal concepts any reader could learn from.
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