Salinger, J.D.: 1919 - 2010
The Catcher in the Rye, 1951 - Information about the Book
- General Information
- An all-time classic in coming-of-age literature - an elegy to teenage alienation, capturing the deeply human need for connection and the bewildering sense of loss as we leave childhood behind.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from Encyclopedia
- Facts
Some of the most notable awards are:Modern Library's 100 Best Novels: "The Catcher in the Rye" was included in the Modern Library's list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century.
Time Magazine's 100 Best English-language Novels: Time magazine included the novel in its list of the 100 best English-language novels published since 1923.
Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century: The novel also appears on this list, which is often compared to the Modern Library's list.
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- Characters
- Chronology of events
- Theme Analysis
- Writing Style
- Alienation and Phoniness
The protagonist Holden Caulfield feels deeply alienated from the "phony" adult world around him. He is highly critical of the superficiality and inauthenticity he perceives in others. Holden's sense of alienation leads to his meltdown and mental breakdown.Innocence and Childhood
Holden romanticizes childhood innocence and wishes he could protect children from the corruption of adulthood. His fantasy of being "the catcher in the rye" who saves children from falling off a cliff symbolizes this desire. He sees children as pure and untainted compared to adults.Growing Up and Loss of Innocence.
At the same time, Holden struggles with the process of growing up and losing his own childhood innocence. He is torn between wanting to preserve innocence and having to face the realities of adulthood. The novel is a coming-of-age story about Holden's transition into maturity.Sex and Women.
Holden's thoughts about sex and women reveal his naivety and tendency to idealize. He puts women on pedestals while simultaneously feeling anxious and confused about sex and relationships. His views on women are shaped by his idealized notions of innocence.Other important themes include depression, suicide, and the phoniness of the adult world. The novel's distinctive narrative voice and Holden's iconic status have made it a classic of American literature.
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- Reader Rating:
- Reviews
- The Times: "The author evidently takes a dim view of prep-school life, and few writers have presented it with more effortless devastation." July 16, 1951
- TIME's Original Review (reprint). January 27, 2010
The Guardian: "One thing that sets The Catcher in the Rye apart from other similar novels, I think, is the fairly frequent use of profanity - be warned!" June 21, 2012
- Articles
- The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye: "Much of Salinger'\s reputation is derived from thoughtful and sympathetic insights into both adolescence and adulthood, his use of symbolism, and his idiomatic style." Eric Lomazoff, 1996
- Holden Caulfield and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: "Looking at the stages of mobbing, Holden's ongoing lack of interest in school and society, seems to point to his being entrenched in PTSD." Suzanne Morine; May 6, 2002
- Audio (4:18)
Moving Beyond 'Catcher' On School Reading Lists. Anne Trubek, professor of English at Oberlin College, argues that it's time to update Salinger's coming-of-age tale. NPR Radio; August 30, 2008
Transcript - Audio (12:24)
Holden Caulfield: Giving Voice to Generations. Andrea Seabrook speaks with author Tobias Wolff and Stephanie Savage, producer of television shows, about Caulfiel's lasting legacy in American literature. NPR Radio; January 20, 2008
Transcript - The 100 best novels: No 72 – The Catcher in the Rye. The Guardian; February 2, 2015
- Video (2:33)
The Importance of The Catcher in the Rye: "John Green describes what is so captivating and heartbreaking about this novel." PBS Learning