The Catcher in the Rye
By: Matthew Garbin, Devin Hall, and Rashad Pickens
Thesis Statement
What lasting effects has The Catcher in the Rye had on american culture?
What other exanmples of the "Holden" archetype have you seen in modern media?
What trends do you see in the types of people who are drawn to the novel? why does it hold such a central role in our culture? is this role deserved?
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 ?
How are a presidential attempted assassination and the murder of John Lennon associated to Catcher in the Rye
Why and how does Catcher fit into the banned book category?
Have perceptions of the novel changed throughout time? If so, how ?
What were some of the reviews on Catcher when the novel first appeared in bookstores ? Why did people feel this way aout the novel?
Why do readers and critics feel so much animosiity towards Salinger's characters.
Textual Evidence
- "Then all of a sudden, she said, "Oh, why did you do it?" She meant why did I get the axe again. It made me sort of sad , the way she said it. "Oh, God Phoebe , don't ask me. I'm sick of everybody asking me that." -
Page 167
Most readers could probably relate to fact that Holden did not want to keep explaining what happened to him. For The Catcher in the Rye to be influential it needs to be relatable. This quote shows how natural and realistic Holden's responses are to other characters in more than just this section f the novel.
- The Navy guy and I told each other we were glad to've met each other. Which always kills me. I'm always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff though. -
Page 87
We believe this shows Holden's ability to pick small details that occur in everyday life that most people fail to recognize or fail to notice. This also shows how Salinger wanted to bring to light a potentially meaningful phrase that society has made meaningless.
- "How marvelous to see you!" Old Lillian Simmons said. Strictly a phony. "How's your big brother?" That's all she really wanted to know. -
Page 86
Holden immediately sees and , to himself calls, Lillian on her transparency when saying it was nice to see Holden when in reality, she really only wanted to know about his brother. We conclude that Transparency is largely widespread but largely unrecognized in society.
Quiz
1.) True or False, Ronald Reagan was shot by a supporter of "The Catcher in The Rye".
2.) True or False, "The Catcher in The Rye" was banned.
3.) True or False, Young Protestors against the Vietnam supported the book.
4.) True or False, J.D. Salinger's characters differ from normal protagonists.
5.) True or False, "The Catcher in The Rye" was not always viewed as an inappropriate book.
6.) True or False,"The Catcher in The Rye" was released in the 1950s.
7.) True or False, First reviews of "The Catcher in The Rye" were mainly positive.
8.) True or False, perceptions of the book have changed throughout time .
9.) True or False, John Lennon was killed by a supporter of "The Catcher in The Rye".
10.) True or False, Not all critics liked J.D. Salinger's characters.