The Catcher in the Rye By J.D. Salinger

Quick Facts Published in 1951 One of the most frequently challenged/banned books on the American Library Association’s “Banned Books List” Set mostly in Manhattan, New York Features one of the most famous anti-heroes of all time

Anti-hero Often not trustworthy Lacks typical “hero” attributes (being noble, selfless, etc.) Not always the “good guy” Flawed/gritty Often misunderstood by society

Jerome David Salinger 1919-2010 Raised in Manhattan Saw some of the bloodiest battles of WWII, including D-Day in Normandy Started his career selling short stories to the famous magazine, The New Yorker About 10 years after The Catcher in the Rye, published final works Disappeared in Cornish, New Hampshire

Recluse Last “interview” was secret recording from woman who lied to get him to talk to her Only emerged once, just a year before his death, to stop unauthorized sequel Rumors still swirl about other novels he wrote during the course of his reclusive life Married three times with two children Blocked all attempts to make a movie version through lawyers

Notoriety Mark David Chapman

Notoriety Mark David Chapman had written “This is my statement” in the copy he carried Later wrote a letter to his arresting officer asking if the officer had read the book yet Also asked for his copy of the book back Declared that John Lennon was a “phony” Was one of many items in the hotel room of the man who tried to assassinate President Reagan

Slang Please put the following sentences into slang: Hello, how are you? The items at that department store are quite expensive. The older gentleman was actually quite arrogant and unlikable. That concept is ridiculous.

Catcher slang Lousy To be lousy with ___________ (lousy with rocks) Dough Crumby For the birds The can Falsies Shoot the old crap It killed me

Motifs (to be developed into themes) Alienation and isolation Phoniness of society versus being “real” or authentic Loss of innocence Adolescent problems and pressures Ability (or inability) to adapt, change, or “grow up”

Totally Irrelevant Fact If “Holden” wasn’t such a weird name, I’d absolutely name my first-born son after the protagonist of this novel.

The hat…