A Shift from Didactic Approach to Rebel Spirit in American Young Adult Literature

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to compare the protagonists of the three pieces of young adult literature “Paul’s Case” by Willa Carther published in 1905, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger published in 1951 and The Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli first published in 2000. The selection of the novels with 50 years interval in their publications has not been random. The article aims to emphasize that the topic of adolescents struggle with identity and society is timeless and universal. The objective of the article is to expose the dynamics of the rebel protagonists and their impact on adolescent readers.

Keywords: Alienated protagonist, psychological development, society, young adult literature