Nihilism in The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger

Abstract

It is said that great literature is often deeply philosophical, and great philosophy is often great literature. The Catcher in the Rye (1951), a controversial novel by J.D. Salinger, ranks among the great works of literature. The study under consideration approaches the novel from a nihilistic perspective by exploring nihilism themes that may frame Holden as a nihilistic hero and the novel as a nihilistic literary work, thereby expanding the meanings readers can derive from this American novel. Nihilism is used as a theoretical framework because it is foremost an attitude of revolt, which is what best describes the protagonist's case against his society. This work also uses a psychological dimension, where light is shed on themes such as isolation, illusion, and depression.