J.D. Salinger's, "Catcher in the Rye", is one of the most oft-read, and highly controversial books of the past fifty years. Among the myriad of reasons given reasons given for its controversy are those concerning its language and the moral decay it inspires. Fortunately, time and hindsight have taught society to see what lies behind the fears surrounding this book. The controversy, instead lies in the mere fact that the book shows not only alienation, which to a certain extent is understandable for a 20th century adolescent, but also in its realistic depiction of youth's disillusionment with their future in the Cold War era. Along with the disillusionment comes apathy and disrespect for authority, which Holden realizes, is as helpless as him to prevent the future.
