THE CATCHER IN THE RYE & THE Post-WWII era (1947-approx. 1960)

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE The time period after World War II was an era of change, something the main character of the novel, Holden Caulfield, is not ready to accept. To be able to truly understand the world in which Holden lived, we must journey back in time to the decade of the 1950’s.

Significant Historical Events A number of significant historical events relevant to all people took place in the 1950’s. Here are just a few. Opening of Disneyland Launching of Sputnik  Cold War Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat  Civil Rights Movement Polio Vaccine is created by Dr. Jonas Salk

Teenage Life prior to WWII Growing up prior to World War II, teenagers were expected to pursue very particular paths in life. Males were expected to join the military or go out and get a job in order to help bring in money for their family or to take care of their future family. Females were taught how to take care of the household and prepare themselves to be a dutiful wife and take care of children. Also, teens had very little economic freedom, independence, and input in decision making prior to WWII.

Education Education was much less of a priority than it is today. If kids finished high school, college was a relatively rare option. Getting a job and getting married straight out of high school was much more common.

Teenage Life after WWII Many things contributed to a new lifestyle after WWII: New cultural movements New technologies Better economy Increased focus on education

Spending money after WWII when the economy stabilized… In the late 1940’s/early 50’s, there were two consumer products that helped to create our modern concept of the teenager: the television and the automobile!

Cars More accessible + more affordable Sense of freedom Images of “cool” Emergence of fast food Possibilities for drinking + sex

Life in the 1950’s cont. For the first time, teenagers created trends: -high school dances (sock hops) -clothing trends (poodle skirts and such) -dance fads (the twist, etc.) -hairstyles

Teen Culture: The Cause of Counterculture Mainstream Culture -poodle skirts and sock hops -hanging out by the jukebox -being cool but also “fitting in” Counterculture -”greasers” -leather jackets -riding motorcycles -smoking/drinking

Cultural Icons: What qualities do they have in common? James Dean Marilyn Monroe Elvis Presley

Media Backlash Due to these new technologies and cultural movements, teenagers had more freedom. However, adults were not fully ready to grant them this, especially due to the rising counterculture. As a result, the media portrayed teenagers as juvenile delinquents as cautionary tales. In most works, negative peer influence was seen as the “downfall” of teenagers.

Political climate The Cold War Constant paranoia about another world war McCarthyism—fear of communism in the US (we will discuss this more next week in connection with The Crucible) This state of unrest and anxiety can be reflected in psychological problems of people like the main character of Catcher in the Rye, Holden.

Author Info J.D. Salinger was born in New York City in 1919. Was upper middle class and attended private schools. Excelled on the fencing team in high school, but flunked out of academics. Enrolled in a military academy where he began writing stories. He created Holden as a persona. Was a notorious recluse later in life and was resistant to having his book adapted into a movie. Died in 2010.

The Plot Holden Caulfield, the narrator of The Catcher in the Rye, begins the novel with an authoritative statement that he does NOT intend for the novel to serve as his life story. Currently in psychiatric care, this teenager recalls what happened to him for four days last Christmas, which forms the basis of the novel.

The Setting The beginning of the novel takes place at Pencey Prep School in Pennsylvania. Holden leaves Pencey and goes to various places in New York City, where he is from.

The Genre - Bildungsroman German word for a “coming of age” novel. Coming of age novel = story of a sensitive person growing up who is looking for answers and experience. The goal for the character is maturity, which is not reached easily. This type of novel often features a struggle between the character and society.

Thematic Topics in Catcher Immaturity Responsibility Values Conformity vs. individuality Grief Alienation/Self-Protection Loss of innocence Phoniness

“FUN” FACTS Several shootings have been associated with the novel, most famously John Hinckley, Jr.'s assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan and Mark David Chapman's shooting of John Lennon. After the shooting, Chapman was arrested with his worn personal copy of the book, inside which he had scribbled, "Dear Holden Caulfield, From Holden Caulfield, This is my statement.” Catcher in the Rye, at different times, has been on the “banned books” list and was not allowed to be taught in schools due to graphic language and sexual references. However, to many, Catcher is considered one of the three “perfect American books” along with The Great Gatsby and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.