J.D. Salinger Documentary Viewing Response Questions

John Guare Early in the documentary, Guare says that the cover of Catcher in the Rye claimed that the book would “change your life” and that he was a bit scared to read the story because he didn’t want his life to change. Do you feel it’s possible for a novel (or film, etc…) to change a person’s life? Defend your views. Have you ever experienced this – i.e a novel (a film, etc…) that you feel in some way has “changed your life”? Explain.

Paul Alexander (again early on in the documentary) Alexander claims that A Catcher in the Rye has helped to “define who we are as an American culture.” Let’s assume Alexander’s statement is true. From what you’ve read so far in the novel, what then is A Catcher in the Rye telling us about American culture? Explain and back up your points.

From Robert Towne (once again early in the documentary) Towne says about Salinger: “Like a whole generation, I thought he was writing about me.” First, explain what Towne means. Then think about the novel and your connection to it. Do you feel the same way that Towne does? Do you identify and connect – at least to some degree – with Holden, his situation, his viewpoints, etc…? Explain.

Catcher and Its Message In the documentary (a little over an hour & five minutes into the doc) the following is said about the novel: “(Catcher in the Rye) is the great subversive, anti- establishment book of all time.” First explain what this statement means. Then discuss whether you view the novel in this way at this point in your reading. Finally, give some examples of novels, movies, television shows, art, etc… that could be seen as subversive and anti-establishment. Explain.

From Joyce Maynard Joyce Maynard says about Salinger: “He cut himself off from a great deal of the world but maintained a huge interest in observing it.” Explain her comment and discuss what she means, why somebody (like Salinger) would want to do this, etc…

From Fred Fogo Fred Fogo talks about Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye after Mark David Chapman used it to justify killing John Lennon: “We have to remember - the things we produce … we have no control of once we let them go.” Explain Fogo’s statement and how it applies to Salinger and Catcher. Then come up with another example that fits his quote but is different than the Salinger example.

Catcher and the Murders Do you believe that Salinger has “blood on his hands” in some respect in that his novel, Catcher in the Rye, has been used to kill/try to kill three people? Support your view with reasoning and examples.

Salinger to Betty Epps Salinger agrees to meet up with Epps (who is a journalist) and tells her: “Publishing is the worst thing a person can do….Every writer should write for their own reasons but it should be for themselves alone. The only important thing is the writing.” Explain what Salinger means and how it applies to himself and Catcher.