In this episode, Steven and Alex explore one of the most iconic American novels of the 20th Century, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Some of the themes include: Is this novel fundamentally a portrayal of teenage angst, or is Holden a more complicated character than an alienated youth?; Why is Holden so preoccupied with accusing most people as being 'phonies', especially when he recognises his own duplicities?; What is the significance of the role of Catcher in the Rye for Holden and for the novel itself?; While Holden ends up in an institution, is it possible that it is the society that he belongs to that is more 'unwell'?; Is this novel a coming-of-age tale or if not, what does that mean about the story?
