What to Expect in The Catcher in the Rye A COMING-OF-AGE NOVEL THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY TAUGHT BOOKS IN SCHOOLS, AND ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY BANNED BOOKS IN SCHOOLS.

Why is it so controversial? SEXUALITY UNDERAGE DRINKING PROSTITUTION CROSS-DRESSING HOMOPHOBIA VIOLENCE FIGHTING CHAIN SMOKING VULGARITY FOUL LANGUAGE COMPULSIVE LYING MENTAL ILLNESS DEATH DEPRESSION

J.D. Salinger Author’s Background Mysterious figure throughout his life Wrote stories before & after WWII (served in the army) Hangs out with young college kids, talks to them about growing up (positives and negatives in life) Uses these notes to write Catcher in 1951 Becomes an “over-night” success: fame and money The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger, later in life Author’s Background, cont. Doesn’t publish again after Catcher Disappears to a small town in New Hampshire, (Cornish) House in wooded acres, bushes, trees, high fences, a compound Continues to write privately for himself, in a backyard cottage The Catcher in the Rye

Salinger and his Daughter Author’s Background, cont. He doesn’t have any visitors, guests, or interviews. Just him, his wife, and two children Although his neighbors would see him around town, he never spoke to reporters again Dies in January 27th of 2010 at age 91 The Catcher in the Rye

Novel’s Background Information  Novel’s setting is Pennsylvania for the first few chapters, and then New York City, for the majority of the book  Story takes place in the 1940’s, soon after World War II  The story focuses on four days that occurred before Christmas The Catcher in the Rye

Caulfield Family Tree Men and Women’s Role in Society Mother: Stay-at-home **pay attention to her interaction with the children **pay attention to Holden’s comments Father: High powered lawyer reinvests money **pay attention to Holden’s comments The Catcher in the Rye

Caulfield Children D.B.: Eldest child, years old Aspiring writer Holden: 16 year old son, main character The story is told from his first person point of view as one extended flashback. Allie: Died of Leukemia at the age of 13, two years before the Phoebe: 11 years old sister smart for her age The Catcher in the Rye

What is it? Unstructured, unedited writing that reflects one’s observations or feelings about a certain person, event, or item. “Selective omniscience” The presentation of thoughts and impressions in a lifelike fashion—not in a sequence arranged by logic, but mingled randomly May sound rambling, disjointed, and may jump from subject to subject—but this allows us to feel as if we are in the character’s head, and we feel a personal connection. Stream of Consciousness Writing

Try it out yourself!!! FOR THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES, WRITE. JUST WRITE. DO NOT STOP, AND DO NOT TAKE YOUR PENCIL OFF OF THE PAGE. WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER IS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD— EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. GRAMMAR, SPELLING, AND ORGANIZATION DO NOT MATTER FOR THIS EXERCISE. THINK ON PAPER!

Holden Caulfield’s trip to New York City

Radio City Music Hall

Rockefeller Center – Ice Skating Rink

Rockefeller Center – Facade and Christmas Tree

Museum of Natural History NY Public Library

Museum of Natural History – Dinosaurs!

Nature Dioramas – Museum of Natural History

Times Square

Central Park …and the ducks

More Ducks!

Grand Army Plaza Grand Central Station

Is it inevitable that we conform to the world and society around us? Is it possible to grow up without becoming a phony? Can a person grow up and maintain his/her innocence? The Search for Identity The Essential Questions: The Search for Identity