Catcher in the Rye

1. Catcher in the Rye Background information about the author, the setting, and impact

2. Jerome David Salinger • Born in New York in 1919 • Not much known about his early childhood • Brief periods attending college at NYU and Columbia…but much like Bradbury, Fitzgerald, and Steinbeck, Salinger wanted to devote his time to writing • Writing career interrupted by WWII, not a lot known about this career, saw a lot of death • Returned from service in the U.S. Army in 1946 and resumed writing (may have suffered a mental breakdown)

3. Talented Author • In total, Salinger published 35 short stories in various publications and 4 novels • Overall, that isn’t much for such a “well known” author… • Published in 1951, Catcher in the Rye was his first novel • He received major critical and popular recognition • Was a huge success right away, but then he pretty much vanished

4. Since then… • Since 1953, Salinger has resided in New Hampshire, and he claimed that he was still writing • Salinger refused to deal with the press or give interviews…he lived a life of total seclusion • Daughter wrote a book about life with her father, even though she knew he wouldn’t approve • Died at age 91 in 2010

5. Isolation • Personal info about Salinger is limited but in GREAT demand… • Letters written by Salinger to a young woman (with whom he had an affair) sold for $156,000 at an auction • This young woman was 18 at the time (1972) • Salinger was 53! • the person who purchased them returned them to Salinger • Salinger’s demand for privacy stemmed from his awareness that his activities, such as several relationships with young women, might mar his career

6. New York, New York • And now for something completely different… • To gain a better understanding of where Holden goes, it’s nice to have a visual image…and for those of us who have never been to New York (myself included), I have provided some of these dazzling images here

7. The Natural History Museum of New York For 125 years, the American Museum of Natural History has been one of the world's preeminent science and research institutions, renowned for its collections and exhibitions that illuminate millions of years of the earth's evolution, from the birth of the planet through the present day.

8. Central Park

9. Radio City Music Hall

10. Grand Central Station

11. Watch this • A trailer on a movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IPsCA6ttbc&safe=active

12. Catcher in the Rye • Considered a Masterpiece of American Literature • Deals with one character’s, Holden Caulfield, flashback of a period of 3 days • Considered the FIRST Young Adult piece of literature • YAL: fiction created especially for teens that deals with the possibilities and problems of contemporary life as experienced by this age group. These contemporary problem novels reflect the troubled times in which young readers are coming of age. • On the nation’s Banned Books List!

13. Censorship • The book is considered “dangerous” • Why, you might ask… • Vulgarity, • Violence, • Power Overthrows, • Sexual Content, • Alienation, • Alcohol, • School Drop Outs, • Poor Attitude Who’s excited to read it?

14. “Popularity” • Was a best seller • One of the most widely read books in America • Also one of the most banned… • The Catcher in the Rye has been linked to some of the most notorious murderers! • John Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman, sat in his room in Hawaii before the murder and chanted over and over and over : “The phony must die says the catcher in the rye. The phony must die says the catcher in the rye. John Lennon must die says the catcher in the rye.”

15. Popularity • John Hinckley, attempted assassin of Ronald Regan, had a copy of The Catcher in the Rye in his hotel room. • He as also stated, “If you want my defense, all you have to do is read The Catcher in the Rye.”

16. Homework: Research Groups • American culture in the 1950’s • What was “in” • What were we focused on? • Middle Child Syndrome • What effect does birth order have on children? • What are classic traits of the first, middle and last born children • Grieving Process • What are the stages? • What kind of thing cause us to grieve?

17. Sharing • Form 2 small groups • Come up with the three most important things you learned • Form 1 large group • Decide of 5 of the most important pieces of information • Pick a speaker