Catcher's Influence
Ray, Lorelei, Gus and Mario
Thesis
QUESTIONS:
1. What lasting influence has The Catcher in the Rye had on American culture?
2. What other examples of the "Holden" archetype have you seen in modern media?
3. What trends do you see in the types of people who are drawn to the novel? Why could this be?
4. Why do you think The Catcher in the Rye is so constantly referenced? Why does it hold such a central role in our culture? Is this role deserved?
5. How are a presidentioal attempted assassination and the murder of John Lennon associated to Catcher in the Rye?
6. Why and how does Cathcer in the Rye fit into the banned book classification?
7. Have perceptions of the novel changed throughout time? If so, how?
8. What were some of the reviews on Catcher when the novel first appeared in bookstores? Why did people feel this way about the novel?
9. Why do readers and critics feel so much animosity towards Salinger’s characters?
Quiz
2. What was the reasoning behind the murder of John Lennon?
a. He was a bad person.
b. He was phony.
3. In what decade was The Catcher in the Rye banned from public schools?
a.1950s
b.1960s
c.1980s
4. True or false? The Cather in the Rye came out in 1951.
5. Why was Catcher in the Rye banned from public schools?
a. It caused crime.
b. It had inappropriate language.
c. It wasn't banned.
6. What kind of people did Holden not like?
a. Phony
b. Sarcastic
7. What president was attempted to be assassinated?
a. John F. Kennedy
b. Barak Obama
c. George Washington
8. True or false? David Chapman wanted to change his name to Holden Caulfield.
9. How was the book viewed by readers when it came out?
a. It recieved good comments
b. It was backlashed
c. It was praised
10. True or false? Catcher in the Rye caused many crime during the 80s.
Answers
2. b
3. c
4. True
5. b
6. a
7. a
8. True
9. b
10. True