JOURNAL - ISOLATION Why is acceptance important to human beings? Why do people tend to be depressed when they feel isolated and alone? Have you ever felt alone? Or like you don’t belong in society? Why? If not, what makes you feel 100% accepted all of the time and why? RESPOND IN A HALF-PAGE JOURNAL ENTRY.

J.D. Salinger ( ) American writer Raised in Manhattan (NYC) Moved to Vienna, Austria and left just before it was annexed by Nazi Germany Drafted in World War II, fought in the D-day invasion and in the Battle of the Bulge Was Jewish until converting to Buddhism in the 1940’s, after that his religious beliefs continued to evolve and change After The Catcher in the Rye’s success, he became increasingly anti-social, eventually withdrawing from public life

The Catcher in the Rye Published in 1951 Has sold over 65,000,000 copies The protagonist (Holden Caulfield) was first featured in a short story by Salinger “Slight Rebellion off Madison” Often regarded as one of the best novels of the 20 th century Salinger and his agents have never allowed the story to be adapted to film, despite the efforts of many famous directors and actors including: Jerry Lewis, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Cusack, Harvey Weinstein, and Steven Spielberg

The Controversy Simultaneously one of the most taught and most censored, banned books in America. It is banned for: profanity, sexuality, blasphemy, undermining family values, a protagonist who is a poor role model, encouragement of rebellion, drinking, smoking, lying, and promiscuity. It was a favorite book of John Hinckley Jr., who shot President Ronald Reagan. Robert Bardo, who killed actress Rebecca Schaeffer, and Mark David Chapman, who killed Beatles’ singer John Lennon, both had a copy of the novel on them when they committed the murders.

The Plot A flashback told by the narrator. Most of the novel takes place over two days in December 1949 The protagonist and narrator, Holden Caulfield, is expelled from school. Following his expulsion, he does not want to go home and thus spends the next two days in New York City having various adventures and encounters.

The Characters Holden Caulfield – protagonist and narrator, who is 17 telling the story from when he was 16, very cynical and critical of the world around him. Sees most people as “phony” Ackley – insecure student at Pency, Holden’s neighbor Stradlater – Holden’s roommate at Pency. Handsome and popular. Jane Gallagher – girl Holden idealizes and has a crush on Sally Hayes – girl Holden dates occassionally. Attractive, but Holden thinks she is unintelligent.

D.B. Caulfield – Holden’s older brother who moved to Hollywood to be a screenwriter. Allie Caulfield – Holden’s younger brother who died of leukemia 3 years before the events in the novel, his death devastated Holden Phoebe Caulfield – Holden’s very talented and intelligent 10-year-old sister that Holden loves very much. She understands Holden more than anyone.

The Slang Crumby – bad Swell – good “Shot the bull” – made small-talk “That killed me” – a metaphor and idiom that means “that was hilarious” Necking – making out Flit – homosexual Pansy – coward Yellow – cowardly Snotty – snobby Phony – fake, superficial, hypocritical