IntroductioIntroduction to J.D. n to J.D.

Salinger’s: Salinger’s: The The

Catcher in Catcher in the Ryethe Rye

J.D. SalingerJ.D. Salinger

1919 – present1919 – present Has written several Has written several

books about young books about young people including people including The The Catcher in the RyeCatcher in the Rye and and Franny and ZoeyFranny and Zoey

Served in WWIIServed in WWII Has not granted an Has not granted an

interview since 1980!interview since 1980!

J.D. SalingerJ.D. Salinger

Born in NYC to parents Sol and Miriam: Born in NYC to parents Sol and Miriam: father was Jewish, mother, Catholicfather was Jewish, mother, Catholic

Jerome David SalingerJerome David Salinger Recognized as one of the most Recognized as one of the most

popular and influential authors of popular and influential authors of American fiction during the second American fiction during the second half of the twentieth century.half of the twentieth century.

Has, by his own choice, remained out Has, by his own choice, remained out of the public eye for most of his life.of the public eye for most of his life.

The Catcher in the RyeThe Catcher in the Rye

Published in 1951Published in 1951 Has sold over 65 million copies world Has sold over 65 million copies world

wide!wide! Despite its popular success, the critical Despite its popular success, the critical

response to response to The Catcher in the RyeThe Catcher in the Rye was was slow in getting underway.slow in getting underway.

One of the most frequently challenged One of the most frequently challenged books in library history because of sex and books in library history because of sex and vulgar language. vulgar language.

Named one of the best novels of the 20Named one of the best novels of the 20thth century by century by Time Magazine.Time Magazine.

Reasons for Banning? Reasons for Banning?

Until 2006, Until 2006, CatcherCatcher was was one of the most frequently one of the most frequently banned books. banned books. Mark David Chapman Mark David Chapman (assassin of John Lennon) (assassin of John Lennon) and John Hinckley Jr. and John Hinckley Jr. (attempted assassin of (attempted assassin of President Ronald Reagan) President Ronald Reagan) both had copies of the both had copies of the book in their pockets when book in their pockets when they were arrested. they were arrested.

The Catcher in the RyeThe Catcher in the Rye

Tells the story of a teenager expelled Tells the story of a teenager expelled from his high school and his journey from his high school and his journey across NYC in the 1950’s.across NYC in the 1950’s.

Issues discussed in the book include: Issues discussed in the book include: school, teachers, music, sex, alcohol, school, teachers, music, sex, alcohol, hypocrisy, family, and being a teenager.hypocrisy, family, and being a teenager.

A story is about Holden Caulfield, the 16 A story is about Holden Caulfield, the 16 year old protagonist of the novel, and year old protagonist of the novel, and his experiences in school and New York his experiences in school and New York City. City.

Holden’s Character and UsHolden’s Character and Us

Holden Caulfield = sketch of an American Holden Caulfield = sketch of an American teenager teenager

Nearly all readers identify with or see Nearly all readers identify with or see some of their friends reflected in different some of their friends reflected in different aspects of Holden’s character. aspects of Holden’s character.

Young readers see in Holden Caulfield a Young readers see in Holden Caulfield a little bit of what they are, while older little bit of what they are, while older readers see in Holden a bit of what they readers see in Holden a bit of what they once were. once were.

Ultimately, we all know that is some way, Ultimately, we all know that is some way, Holden is one of us.Holden is one of us.

Similarities between J.D. Similarities between J.D. Salinger and Salinger and Catcher in the Catcher in the

RyeRye J.D. Salinger attended prep schools in J.D. Salinger attended prep schools in

NYC and flunked out of McBurney School NYC and flunked out of McBurney School at 13at 13

He attended Valley Forge Military He attended Valley Forge Military Academy and graduated at 15Academy and graduated at 15

He has been referred to as a terrible liar, He has been referred to as a terrible liar, though this is difficult to prove/disprovethough this is difficult to prove/disprove

Alienation from society– Salinger seems Alienation from society– Salinger seems determined to keep his life private from determined to keep his life private from outsiders. outsiders.

Point of ViewPoint of View First-person limited-First-person limited- we see this we see this

story only through Holden’s eyesstory only through Holden’s eyes ““You”- the psychoanalyst and the You”- the psychoanalyst and the

readerreader Stream of ConsciousnessStream of Consciousness; many ; many

digressionsdigressions DialectDialect- Salinger perfected the dialect - Salinger perfected the dialect

of the teenage boyof the teenage boy– This language is the cause of much This language is the cause of much

controversy over the bookcontroversy over the book– This creates a very believable characterThis creates a very believable character

Themes/TopicsThemes/Topics

Phonies/Societal PressuresPhonies/Societal Pressures– ““phony” implies snobberyphony” implies snobbery– Holden hates phoniesHolden hates phonies

Adolescence/ Loss of InnocenceAdolescence/ Loss of Innocence– Holden is at the in between stage of life, Holden is at the in between stage of life,

in between a child and an adultin between a child and an adult– Holden wants to be accepted by children Holden wants to be accepted by children

and adults, however, he doesn’t fit into and adults, however, he doesn’t fit into either categoryeither category

Course Themes Within Course Themes Within CatcherCatcher

Conformity vs. ResistanceConformity vs. Resistance IDENTITY FORMATIONIDENTITY FORMATION Perception of TruthPerception of Truth Changes in Values over TimeChanges in Values over Time

Watch for these themes during your Watch for these themes during your reading of the novel. You will be reading of the novel. You will be expected to pull examples of each expected to pull examples of each theme out of the novel.theme out of the novel.

Dominant SymbolsDominant Symbols

The CarouselThe Carousel The Red Hunting The Red Hunting

CapCap The Catcher’s MittThe Catcher’s Mitt The Ducks in Central The Ducks in Central

Park PondPark Pond The Museum of The Museum of

Natural HistoryNatural History Pencey PrepPencey Prep

Holden’s QuestsHolden’s Quests

Holden is looking for THREE things:Holden is looking for THREE things:– The Innocence of ChildhoodThe Innocence of Childhood

Wants things to remain the same as Wants things to remain the same as when he was youngerwhen he was younger

– LoveLove– IdentityIdentity

What do I do with my life? What does What do I do with my life? What does this all mean?this all mean?

How do I live up to expectations and How do I live up to expectations and still be an individual? still be an individual?

What to look for while What to look for while reading?reading?

This novel is a character study of This novel is a character study of Holden.Holden.– Analyze Holden’s motivations, his Analyze Holden’s motivations, his

personality, and his mental stability.personality, and his mental stability.– What’s Holden’s deal? Is there What’s Holden’s deal? Is there

something wrong with him (is he crazy?) something wrong with him (is he crazy?) or is he a just a normal teenager?or is he a just a normal teenager?

Journal ResponseJournal Response Put yourself into Holden’s shoes. What would you Put yourself into Holden’s shoes. What would you

do if you were expelled from school and knew that do if you were expelled from school and knew that your parents would not know you were expelled for your parents would not know you were expelled for two days? two days? – Plan out those two days and please keep your Plan out those two days and please keep your

responses school appropriate.responses school appropriate.

OROR Is innocence something to be cherished? Why? Why Is innocence something to be cherished? Why? Why

do we mourn the loss of innocence so profoundly? do we mourn the loss of innocence so profoundly? Why do we feel the need to protect children from Why do we feel the need to protect children from losing their innocence? Can loss of innocence be a losing their innocence? Can loss of innocence be a positive thing? positive thing?