1. Catcher in the Rye & the 1950s

2. The Catcher in the Rye Published in 1951 Published in 1951 Has sold over 65 million copies world wide! Has sold over 65 million copies world wide! Named one of the best novels of the 20 th century by Time Magazine. Named one of the best novels of the 20 th century by Time Magazine.

3. The Catcher in the Rye The Catcher in the Rye covers three and a half days in the life of sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield. Holden narrates the story; looking back some months later from the vantage point of a temporary, enforced stay in a psychiatric institution in California, where he's visited by his older brother DB, a Hollywood writer. His younger brother Allie died three years previously from leukemia. He also has a younger sister, Phoebe, who lives at home with their parents in New York City. Issues discussed in the book include: school, teachers, music, sex, alcohol, hypocrisy, family, and being a teenager. Issues discussed in the book include: school, teachers, music, sex, alcohol, hypocrisy, family, and being a teenager.

4. Reasons for Banning? Until 2006, Catcher was one of the most frequently banned books. Until 2006, Catcher was one of the most frequently banned books. Mark David Chapman (assassin of John Lennon) and John Hinckley Jr. (attempted assassin of President Ronald Reagan) both had copies of the book in their pockets when they were arrested. Mark David Chapman (assassin of John Lennon) and John Hinckley Jr. (attempted assassin of President Ronald Reagan) both had copies of the book in their pockets when they were arrested.

5. J.D. Salinger Has written several books about young people including The Catcher in the Rye Has written several books about young people including The Catcher in the Rye Served in WWII Served in WWII Has not granted an interview since 1980! Has not granted an interview since 1980! By choice, remained out of the public eye for the remainder of his life (died 2010) By choice, remained out of the public eye for the remainder of his life (died 2010)

6. The classic American family Family roles were fairly traditional in Salinger’s day: Dad was the sole provider and the head of the household Mom was most often a homemaker – cooking, cleaning and taking care of her husband and kids

7. And the kids?  Prior to the 1950s, there was no concept of the typical teenager. Adolescents were considered “kids” or “adults.” No in-between.

8. What changed? After World War II ended (1945), the old- school family structure and roles started to change a bit  Victorious war effort left the U.S. much more financially stable…people had money again! Woohoo!  And what do people do when they have money?

9. Spend it! In the late 1940s/early 50s, there were two consumer products that helped to create our modern concept of the teenager:  The television  The automobile

10. Hmmmm… So, how would an increase in TV and car purchases change American families? And more specifically, how would these purchases impact teenagers?  (insert brainstorm here)

11. TVs/Hollywood Advertising split Americans into demographics (men, women, old, young, teen, etc.) “Family time” changed Different shows appealed to different ages Attractive people – the pin-ups

12. 1950s2010s

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

14. Holden’s Character and Us Holden Caulfield = sketch of an American teenager Holden Caulfield = sketch of an American teenager Nearly all readers identify with or see some of their friends reflected in different aspects of Holden’s character. Nearly all readers identify with or see some of their friends reflected in different aspects of Holden’s character. Young readers see in Holden Caulfield a little bit of what they are, while older readers see in Holden a bit of what they once were. Young readers see in Holden Caulfield a little bit of what they are, while older readers see in Holden a bit of what they once were.

15. Point of View First-person limited- we see this story only through Holden’s eyes First-person limited- we see this story only through Holden’s eyes “You”- the psychoanalyst and the reader “You”- the psychoanalyst and the reader Stream of Consciousness; many digressions Stream of Consciousness; many digressions Dialect- the dialect of the teenage boy Dialect- the dialect of the teenage boy  This language is the cause of much controversy over the book  This creates a very believable character

16. Themes/Topics Phonies/Societal Pressures Phonies/Societal Pressures Adolescence/ Loss of Innocence Adolescence/ Loss of Innocence  Holden wants to be accepted by children and adults, however, he doesn’t fit into either category Conformity vs. Resistance Conformity vs. Resistance Perception of Truth Perception of Truth Changes in Values over Time Changes in Values over Time

17. Dominant Symbols The Carousel The Carousel The Red Hunting Cap The Red Hunting Cap The Catcher’s Mitt The Catcher’s Mitt The Ducks in Central Park Pond The Ducks in Central Park Pond The Museum of Natural History The Museum of Natural History Pencey Prep Pencey Prep

18. Key questions as we read Catcher: Why does Holden have such a difficult time fitting in? Similarities/differences between Holden’s issues and the issues of today’s teens?

19. What does it mean to leave childhood behind? Is it inevitable (unavoidable) that we conform to the world and society around us? What does it mean to be mature and immature? What does it mean to stay true to yourself?

20. Literary Devices 1.Anecdote - a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person 2.Antihero - a main character in a book, play, movie, etc., who does not have the usual good qualities that are expected in a hero 3.Bildungsroman - a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character 4.Hyperbole – a gross exaggeration

21. 5. Meiosis - the presentation of a thing with under emphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect : understatementunderstatement 6. Motif - something (such as an important idea or subject) that is repeated throughout a book, story, etc. 7. Symbol - an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality