An Introduction to The Catcher in the Rye

Transcription

1 An Introduction to The Catcher in the Rye By J.D. Salinger Mrs. Milton English 521

2 About the Author Born in NYC to Jewish father and a Catholic mother Served in WWII (D-Day Invasion) Recognized as one of the most popular and influential authors of American fiction during the twentieth century. Has, by his own choice, remained out of the public eye for most of his life.

3 International Acclaim Published in 1951 Has sold over 65 million copies world wide! Continues to sell over 250,000 copies a year in the U.S. alone Named one of the best novels of the 20 th century by Time Magazine. One of the most frequently challenged books in library history because [video clip]

4 Controversy & Criticism Many parents objected to the main character's obscene language, erratic behavior, and antisocial attitudes. There are also several seedy scenes. Responding to the irate protests, numerous school and public libraries and bookstores removed the book from their shelves. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, simply was not a good role model for the youth of the 1950s, in the view of many conservative adults.

5 Assassination Trigger"? Assassinations Linked to Catcher in the Rye John Lennon's Assassination

6 Overview Although The Catcher in the Rye caused considerable controversy when it was first published in 1951, the book the account of three disoriented days in the life of a troubled sixteen-year-old boy was an instant hit. It remained immensely popular, especially among teenagers and young adults, largely because of its fresh, brash style and antiestablishment attitudes typical attributes of many people emerging from the physical and psychological turmoil of adolescence.

7 Tells the story of a teenager expelled from his high school and his journey across NYC in the 1950 s. Issues discussed in the book include: school, teachers, music, sex, alcohol, hypocrisy, family, and being a teenager.

8 Holden is looking for THREE things: The Innocence of Childhood Wants things to remain the same as when he was younger Love vs. Sex Trying to figure out if there can be one without the other Identity What do I do with my life? What does this all mean? How do I live up to expectations and still be an individual?

9 Why so Popular? Holden Caulfield = sketch of a typical teenager, searching for one s identity, and critical of the artificiality and materialistic culture of society. Nearly all readers identify with or see some of their friends reflected in different aspects of Holden s character. Young readers see in Holden Caulfield a little bit of what they are, while older readers see in Holden a bit of what they once were. Ultimately, we all know that in some way, Holden is one of us.

10 Setting & Historical Context The events in The Catcher in the Rye take place in 1946, only a year after the end of World War II. Adults at this time had survived the Great Depression and the multiple horrors of the war. Paradoxically, the war that wounded and killed so many people was the same instrument that launched the nation into an era of seemingly unbounded prosperity.

11 Adults valued materialism and extreme conservatism Traditional values were the norm People did not want to hear from the Holden Caulfields and J. D. Salingers of the era They were in a state of blissful denial

12 Holden has withdrawn from this society enough to see the world from a different perspective. He hates the hypocrisy he sees in the adult world and is therefore reluctant to participate in it. His behavior, while that of an adolescent trying to affirm his own identity, also symbolizes the perceived shallowness of people and society. Most of the things Holden fears peak in the 1950s, when conservatism, rigid morality, and paranoid self-righteousness held the nation in a tight grip. Small wonder that 1950s parents assailed Salinger's novel when it hit book stores and libraries in 1951!

13 Teenagers became more rebellious, a trend that their parents viewed to be strongly influenced by a new, decadent form of music called rock 'n' roll. Juvenile delinquency became an alarming problem and was considered a major social issue. Teens were skipping classes and committing crimes, and parents were alarmed by their children's lack of respect for authority.

14 Structure & Style Salinger utilizes a FRAME STORY structure. The outside frame is Holden s talking to a psyshoanalyst; the inside frame is Holden s own narrative, with flashbacks of the events, the madman stuff that has led to his arrival at a psychiatric ward in California. First-person narrative; autobiographical Psychological reflection in that the events narrated are accompanied by Holden s thoughts.

15 Genre Coming-of-Age Novel: A novel that traces one s emotional maturation from child to adult. A loss of innocence is essential if a child is to become an adult. This process is painful, but inevitable. Picaresque Novel: A book dealing with the adventures of a wanderer. Quest Narrative: Narrator seeks to discover truths, values, and ultimately himself and his place in this world.

16 Themes & Values Phonies/Societal Pressures phony implies snobbery and fakeness Holden hates phonies Adolescence/ Loss of Innocence Holden is at the in-between stage of life, in between a child and an adult Holden wants to be accepted by children and adults; however, he doesn t fit into either category

17 The need for inner direction and commitment to action. A sensitive awareness of life s compensation: a necessary balance of sympathy and rejection, joy and sorrow. The recognition of superficial standards of behavior; the challenge of seeking positive change in one s moral environment. The ability to feel compassion and to expect justice for all. The therapeutic worth of honesty in communication with others; the treatment of every person as an individual. The learning of universal love and empathy in one s individual struggle against hypocrisy and worldly corruption.

18 Important Symbols The Catcher s Mitt The Red Hunting Hat The Ducks in Central Park Pond The Museum of Natural History The Merry-Go-Round