Struggling In The Insane Society

J.D.Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, one of the most controversial novels in the contemporary American literature, is recognized as a"modern classic". The novel profoundly exposes the sense of loneliness and loss through Holden's wandering in New York after his expulsion from Pencey Prep. Based on Fromm's theory of the sane society, this thesis aims at exploring the protagonist's rebellion against the insane society, and his pursuit of self.This thesis is composed of an introduction, three body chapters and a conclusion.The first part, introduction, summarizes J.D.Salinger's background and literary status, and briefly introduces the main content of the novel, the critical reception home and abroad, and Fromm's theory of the sane society on which the thesis is based on. The fist chapter analyes the phenomenon of alienation among people in The Catcher in the Rye, concluding that Holden feels lonely and depressed among alienated people. Chapter two discusses Holden's rebellion against the anonymous authority-conformity, and the principle of nonfrustration prevalent in his time, concluding that Holden struggles to remain innocent. Chapter three reveals that Holden realizes that love can change the insane society during the process of his pursuit of self. The last part probes the pursuit of self of the human race in the modern insane society, and examines the essense of being and the meaning of existence. It also reveals Salinger's humanistic concern about th fate of the mankind and sums up the thesis by reaffirming Salinger's profound exposition of the contemporary world.