The Catcher in the Rye

1. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger

2. J.D. Salinger • Born in NYC in 1919 / Died in 2010 • Came from a wealthy family / grew up in Manhattan • Attended many colleges (including Columbia) • Did not graduate from any (took a creative writing class, which sparked his interest in writing) • Many items from Salinger’s early life appears in the novel • Ex. moving around from prep schools, Columbia, and a post war setting • This novel created much controversy, and many were offended due to the strong language and discussion regarding adolescent sex in an open way. • In addition, many critics argue the novel is “not serious literature” due to its casual and informal tone.

3. J.D. Salinger • However, many found this novel to be something quite significant. • Many argued it tapped into the emotions of readers in an unprecedented way. As countercultural revolt began to grow during the 1950s and 1960s, this novel was frequently read as a tale of an individual’s alienation within a heartless world. • Caulfield stood for young people who felt the pressures to grow up and live their lives according to the rules, restricting their own personalities to conform to a bland society. • Many readers saw Caulfield as a symbol of pure, unregulated individuality in the face of cultural oppression. • Beginning in the 60’s, Salinger began to withdraw from society due to strong critic reviews regarding his short stories. • This isolation made him even more famous because of the connection to his characters.

4. Setting for the novel • 1949 • Mid-December • Saturday, Sunday, and a Monday (a week or so before Christmas) • Sat. (Ch. 1-8), Sun. (Ch. 9-20), and Mon. (Ch. 21-26) • Holden is 16 years old, and makes it clear that he is undergoing treatment in a mental institute for a nervous breakdown. • The novel provides us a flashback of events that had taken place a few months prior to his hospitalization.