Literature’s Lyceum: Lessons for Contemporary Life in the Catcher in the Rye and the Old Man and the Sea
Abstract
Noted social commentator Mark Bauerlein has provided an important critique of youth culture in the contemporary Western world. In this work, I situate Bauerlein’s critique in the context of English literature, diagnosing the intersection of his thought and the core themes in two classic works of American literature: The Catcher in the Rye and The Old Man and the Sea. Re-centering these two works in secondary education can help to address the concerns Bauerlein diagnoses. This in tun can contribute to a revival of great literature as a lyceum for contemporary life.
Fields of Study & Subjects
American and British Literature Analysis
American Literature and Culture
Themes in Literature Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- International Journal of Social Sciences and English Literature
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 18–20
- Publication date
- 27 January 2026