The Catcher in the Rye By J.D. Salinger

Publishing The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951 after years of anticipation. It has sold more than 65 million copies, been translated into dozens of languages, and is still required reading for many high schools and colleges. Oddly, it met with mixed critical reviews, but was an overnight sensation with the public. Critics did not its narrative style; it also came in conflict with a conservative society that did not condone its language and sexual situations.

J.D. Salinger Was born and raised in New York City. Attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania. Attended more than one university but did not ever receive an official degree. Began writing in high school but really began his career writing for Whit Burnett while attending a writing class at Columbia University. His writing career started slowly, but his stories usually showed a unique perspective on life and an interesting character development, and a sense of innocense. Many of his stories began to show similar themes, conflicts, characters or character families.

World War II Much to the surprise of friends and family, J.D. joined the army at the outset of WWII. He tried to earn an officer’s commission via his relationships in New York and at Valley Forge. He eventually became both soldier and writer. He experienced some of the fiercest battles and bloodiest campaigns of the war. He was in heavy combat areas for almost two years—almost more than anyone else. He continued to write during this period, but his stories began to take on a darker tone, more religious themes, and reminiscence of simpler, more innocent times.

Post WWII After the war Salinger stayed in Europe, married and had led a mysterious life—much of which remains unknown. He married a French woman and had a dog. He may have suffered from a nervous breakdown. Evidently he was writing and planted the seeds that would later be characters in several of his stories. He also may have experimented with various religions. He moved back to the US almost two years after the end of the war, with just his dog, and again dealt with the trauma of war, but was writing more now. His themes had begun to focus on religious ideals and innocense.

Short Stories Many of Salinger’s short stories revolve around the theme of innocence, of growing up, of a cruel world, of religion. Common characters also emerged in his writing from the mid ‘40s including Holden and his family. Through his short stories Salinger experimented with situations, conflicts, and motifs. By 1949, he had soli