1. The Catcher in the Rye
By J.D. Salinger

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Notoriety

7. 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

8. 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.

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

10. 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”

11. Annotations
When the novel is done, we’ll finish rounding out these motifs and making them into themes
For now, keep track of them on your annotation sheets
You’ll use the first sheet more often, but definitely make sure to jot down at least some thoughts on the second sheet
As you read, I’ll be asking for you to supply some of your questions or “golden lines”
I’ll also ask you for more specific annotations, too, such as solid examples of characterization or how setting contributes to a scene in the novel, etc.

12. 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.

13. The hat…