1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

2. J.D. Salinger Biography J.D. Salinger was born in New York City in 1919. J.D. Salinger was born in New York City in 1919. He went to college at NYU & Columbia University briefly, but then chose to focus on his writing. He went to college at NYU & Columbia University briefly, but then chose to focus on his writing. He primarily wrote short stories, not novels. He primarily wrote short stories, not novels.

3. J.D. Salinger Biography Salinger became notorious because he has not produced a large amount of writings and because he has chosen to live his live very privately. Salinger became notorious because he has not produced a large amount of writings and because he has chosen to live his live very privately. Salinger claims that he is still actively writing although he hasn’t published any works since 1963. Salinger claims that he is still actively writing although he hasn’t published any works since 1963.

4. The Catcher in the Rye The novel was written, in its current form, in 1951. Several chapters of the book were published as short stories in magazines in the mid-1940’s. The novel was written, in its current form, in 1951. Several chapters of the book were published as short stories in magazines in the mid-1940’s. The novel is set-up as a group of short stories. No setting or character reoccurs for more than one or two consecutive chapters. The novel is set-up as a group of short stories. No setting or character reoccurs for more than one or two consecutive chapters.

5. The Catcher in the Rye The first chapters at Pencey are the only ones that sustain the setting & characters for any length of time. The first chapters at Pencey are the only ones that sustain the setting & characters for any length of time. Holden, the narrator, is the only character that appears in the entire story. Holden, the narrator, is the only character that appears in the entire story. Many of the chapters could stand alone as short stories. Many of the chapters could stand alone as short stories.

6. The Catcher in the Rye Holden is an unreliable narrator. His conceptions of people reveal his point of view. Holden is an unreliable narrator. His conceptions of people reveal his point of view. Holden is suspicious of everyone around him, especially adults. Holden believes that adults serve on only their interests & are hypocritical. Holden is suspicious of everyone around him, especially adults. Holden believes that adults serve on only their interests & are hypocritical.

7. The Catcher in the Rye Holden is quick to name others as “phony,” but he is also phony – He lies to Mr. Spencer, he writes the note at the end of his test about his interesting lectures, etc. Holden is quick to name others as “phony,” but he is also phony – He lies to Mr. Spencer, he writes the note at the end of his test about his interesting lectures, etc. Theme: Authenticity vs. Phoniness Theme: Authenticity vs. Phoniness

8. J.D. Salinger Dies at 91 CNN News Story that aired upon Salinger’s death in 2010 (Handout) CNN News Story that aired upon Salinger’s death in 2010 (Handout)

9. Salinger is so commonly known that popular TV shows and movies reference him and Catcher assuming that you know his story. See the following clip from October 4, 2006 from The Daily Show. The Daily Show The Daily Show