The Catcher in the RyeBy J.D. Salinger

Quick Facts

Published in 1951One of the most frequently challenged/banned

books on the American Library Association’s “Banned Books List”

Set mostly in Manhattan, New YorkFeatures one of the most famous anti-heroes of all

time

Anti-heroOften not trustworthyLacks typical “hero” attributes (being noble,

selfless, etc)Not always the “good guy”Flawed/grittyOften misunderstood by society

Jerome David Salinger• 1919-2010• Raised in Manhattan• Saw some of the bloodiest

battles of WWII, including D-Day in Normandy

• Started his career selling short stories to the famous magazine, The New Yorker

• About 10 years after The Catcher in the Rye, published final works

• Disappeared in Cornish, New Hampshire

Recluse

Last “interview” was secret recording from woman who lied to get him to talk to her

Only emerged once, just a year before his death, to stop unauthorized sequel

Rumors still swirl about other novels he wrote during the course of his reclusive life

Married three times with two childrenBlocked all attempts to make a movie version

through lawyers

Notoriety

Notoriety Mark David Chapman had written “This is my

statement” in the copy he carriedLater wrote a letter to his arresting officer asking if

the officer had read the book yetAlso asked for his copy of the book backDeclared that John Lennon was a “phony”Was one of many items in the hotel room of the

man who tried to assassinate President Reagan

SlangPlease put the following sentences into slang:

Hello, how are you? The items at that department store are quite

expensive. The older gentleman was actually quite arrogant

and unlikable. That concept is ridiculous.

Catcher slangLousyTo be lousy with ___________ (lousy with rocks)DoughCrumbyFor the birdsThe canFalsiesShoot the old crap Crocked It killed me

Motifs (to be developed into themes)① Alienation and isolation

② Phoniness of society versus being “real” or authentic

③ Loss of innocence

④ Adolescent problems and pressures

⑤ Ability (or inability) to adapt, change, or “grow up”

AnnotationsWhen the novel is done, we’ll finish rounding out these

motifs and making them into themes For now, keep track of them on your annotation sheetsYou’ll use the first sheet more often, but definitely make

sure to jot down at least some thoughts on the second sheet

As you read, I’ll be asking for you to supply some of your questions or “golden lines”

I’ll also ask you for more specific annotations, too, such as solid examples of characterization or how setting contributes to a scene in the novel, etc.

Totally Irrelevant Fact If “Holden” wasn’t such a weird name, I’d

absolutely name my first born son after the protagonist of this novel.

The hat…