By Angelo Augusto Freire, 2012 By Angelo Augusto Freire, 2012.

Title of the Book: The Catcher in the rye Author: J.D. Salinger Genre: Novel Date of publication: July 16, 1951

About the author and the book: Jerome David Sallinger is a classic author of American Literature Jerome David Sallinger is a classic author of American Literature He was born on January 1, 1919 in New York City, U.S.A. He was born on January 1, 1919 in New York City, U.S.A. Died on January 27, 2010 at age 91 in Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Died on January 27, 2010 at age 91 in Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S.A. The book was intended for The book was intended for adults but became very popular amongst teenagers

Main Points Main characters Holden Caulfield – the book's narrator and protagonist Holden Caulfield – the book's narrator and protagonist Phoebe – his 10-year-old sister Phoebe – his 10-year-old sister Stradlater and Ackley – his former classmates Stradlater and Ackley – his former classmates Sally Hayes – a date of Holden’s Sally Hayes – a date of Holden’s Mr. Spencer – his history teacher Mr. Spencer – his history teacher Mr. Antolini – his former and much-admired English teacher Mr. Antolini – his former and much-admired English teacher Jane Gallagher – Holden's old friend Jane Gallagher – Holden's old friend Sunny – the prostitute hired by Holden Sunny – the prostitute hired by Holden Maurice – her pimp Maurice – her pimp

Main Points Favorite characters Holden Caulfield Holden Caulfield He portrays all sorts of problems a teenager can have He portrays all sorts of problems a teenager can have We have to understand the context of the book, written in the 1950s – the problems teenagers today face different kinds of problems but it still can be a troubled stage of a person’s life We have to understand the context of the book, written in the 1950s – the problems teenagers today face different kinds of problems but it still can be a troubled stage of a person’s life

Main Points Central Problem Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old troubled teen-ager, with grade problems, from a who is expelled from Pencey Prep, an exclusive private school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, and decides to go to New York to spend some days there before returning home for Christmas Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old troubled teen-ager, with grade problems, from a who is expelled from Pencey Prep, an exclusive private school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, and decides to go to New York to spend some days there before returning home for Christmas His parents do not know he had been expelled, so he has to spend some time in the city before going home for Christmas His parents do not know he had been expelled, so he has to spend some time in the city before going home for Christmas Meanwhile, he pays a visit to his sister, Phoebe at their parent’s place Meanwhile, he pays a visit to his sister, Phoebe at their parent’s place Many events develop from Holden’s experience, involving “complex issues of identity, belonging, connection, and alienation”. Many events develop from Holden’s experience, involving “complex issues of identity, belonging, connection, and alienation”.

Main Points Curiosities The novel was included on Time's 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923, and it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century The novel was included on Time's 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923, and it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century The novel's protagonist and antihero, Holden Caulfield, has become an icon for teenage rebellion The novel's protagonist and antihero, Holden Caulfield, has become an icon for teenage rebellion Some shootings have been associated with the novel Some shootings have been associated with the novel The shooting of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman The shooting of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman The shooting of Rebecca Schaeffer by Robert John Bardo The shooting of Rebecca Schaeffer by Robert John Bardo The assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr. The assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr.

Main Points Conclusion The novel is an excellent reading The novel is an excellent reading The language is difficult, marked by many expressions from the 1950’s – we have to use the strategy of guessing meaning from context to understand them, for example: The language is difficult, marked by many expressions from the 1950’s – we have to use the strategy of guessing meaning from context to understand them, for example: Phony: superficial, hypocritical, and pretentious Phony: superficial, hypocritical, and pretentious That killed me: I found that hilarious or astonishing That killed me: I found that hilarious or astonishing Flit: homosexual Flit: homosexual Flitty: homosexual behavior Flitty: homosexual behavior Wuddya: (the ya slang) vernacular rendering, idiomatic Wuddya: (the ya slang) vernacular rendering, idiomatic Crumby: inadequate, insufficient, and/or disappointing Crumby: inadequate, insufficient, and/or disappointing

Main Points Conclusion/ recommendation It is highly recommended for anyone who likes reading, despite the fact that the language may be challenging for intermediate students. It is highly recommended for anyone who likes reading, despite the fact that the language may be challenging for intermediate students.

Source: The Catcher in the Rye - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Available at Available at