Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

About the Author: J.D. Salinger• Born in New York, 1919 –

present. That’s 91 years old!

• Served during WWII

• Wrote several books about young people including Franny & Zoey and Catcher

About the Author Cont…

• Notorious recluse-– someone who chooses

to live alone and doesn’t like seeing or talking to other people

• Has not granted an interview since 1980

• Has not published anything since 1965

Catcher in the Rye – The Book

• Published in 1951

• Sold over 65 million copies worldwide– That’s more than the

Dictionary!

• Has been translated into many different languages

The Controversy• Has been banned due to vulgar language and

sex

• One of the most frequently taught and most widely censored books in US high schools

• Mark David Chapman (murdered John Lennon in 1980) and John Hinckley Jr. (attempted to assassinate Pres. Reagan 1981) both had the book in their pocket when they were arrested

The Plot

• The book tells the story of a teenager expelled from his high school and his 48 hour journey across NYC in the early 50s.

• This book deals with school, alcohol, sex, teachers, music, family, hypocrisy, and being a teenager

• Narrated in a “stream of consciousness” style

Holden Caulfield• Holden is the

protagonist in the story

• He is 16 years old

• He thinks many people are “phonies”

• He has been kicked out of three Prep Schools

Setting• New York City

• Early 1950s

The 1950s

• Color TV is introduced

• Harry S. Truman is President

• Elvis gyrates on the Ed Sullivan Show

The 1950s Cont…

• Disneyland Opens

• James Dean (actor) Dies in car accident

The 1950s Cont…

• Civil Rights movement begins

• Segregation ruled illegal in US

Prices in the 50s• Car: $1,400• Gasoline: 21

cents/gal• House: $12,500• Bread: 10 cents/loaf• Milk: 70 cents/gal• Postage Stamp: 3

cents• Stock Market: 177• Average Annual

Salary: $3,150• Minimum Wage: 40

cents per hour

The Music inCatcher in the Rye

• Holden listens to Jazz music

• In the 50s & 60s, Jazz was popular with teens, like Rock or Rap today

• Teens went to clubs to listen to Jazz music

Symbols – Red Hunting Hat

Symbols – Baseball Mitt

Symbol – Ducks in the Pond

Holden’s Landmarks:

Pencey Prep

Holden’s Landmarks:

Seton Hall – Wicker Bar Rockefeller Center

Holden’s Landmarks:

Radio City Hall Grand Central Station

Holden’s Landmarks:

Museum of Natural History Central Park - Lagoon

Holden’s Landmarks:Carousel

Summary:

Based on this information, what predictions can you

make about Holden and his journey in New York?