Catcher and the RyeThe modern social safety net is a controversial topic, as it has many advantages and disadvantages. However, the system was not always as it is today. Created in 1908, it aimed to provide financial compensation to people injured on the job. After the Great Depression, a series of bills were passed to expand the scope of the social safety net to cover long periods of unemployment, those retiring, and to provide lunches to college students. of low-income families. Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger, was written in 1951, at a time when the scope of Social Security laws was relatively narrow. Catcher in the Rye is a novel that protests against society's materialistic and educational system with a lack of options and support for some. and what Holden thinks about social classes. According to Holden, he "went down to the lagoon and [he] sort of skipped the coins and the nickel across it" (156). This represents the lackadaisical views he has towards money. He uses money as a form of entertainment, but not in the way we would expect ordinary people to do so. Additionally, “[The Jaguar] cost him almost $4,000…. Now he's in Hollywood, DB, as a prostitute” (1). This quote is an example of how Holden views DB; as a sellout. DB prostitutes himself or sells himself as a writer just to make money, and he uses that money to buy useless things, like a Jaguar. Finally, Holden hates materialism because of his suitcase problem; “[Holden hates] it when someone has cheap suitcases…. It completely depressed me” (108). Holde...... middle of paper...... protests materialistic methods, educational demand and lack of safety net for those experiencing fiscal problems. Society's materialism and demand for money leave little room for error in a changing and demanding economy. It is difficult to find the money to fuel this economy if you are not educated, and the education system is considered a standard for the tax market. Ultimately, the lack of a safety net leaves many people stuck in an eternal fall, waiting for a catcher to come pick them up. The safety net has been around since before Catcher in the Rye, was present during the time period in which Catcher and the Rye takes place, and was improved upon after Catcher and the Rye's release. However, the safety net is still a problem and the problems Salinger mentioned are still relevant today..