Catcher in the Rye

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Catcher in the Rye

• J.D. Salinger

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About the Author J.D. Salinger

• Born in New York, 1919 present. Thats 91 years
  old!
• Served during WWII
• Wrote several books about young people including
  Franny Zoey and Catcher

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About the Author Cont

• Notorious recluse-
• someone who chooses to live alone and doesnt
  like seeing or talking to other people
• Has not granted an interview since 1980
• Has not published anything since 1965

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Catcher in the Rye The Book

• Published in 1951
• Sold over 65 million copies worldwide
• Thats more than the Dictionary!
• Has been translated into many different languages

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The Controversy

• Has been banned due to vulgar language and sex
• One of the most frequently taught and most widely
  censored books in US high schools
• Mark David Chapman (murdered John Lennon in
  1980) and John Hinckley Jr. (attempted to
  assassinate Pres. Reagan 1981) both had the book
  in their pocket when they were arrested

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The Plot

• The book tells the story of a teenager expelled
  from his high school and his 48 hour journey
  across NYC in the early 50s.
• This book deals with school, alcohol, sex,
  teachers, music, family, hypocrisy, and being a
  teenager
• Narrated in a stream of consciousness style

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Holden Caulfield

• Holden is the protagonist in the story
• He is 16 years old
• He thinks many people are phonies
• He has been kicked out of three Prep Schools

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Setting

• New York City
• Early 1950s

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The 1950s

• Color TV is introduced
• Harry S. Truman is President
• Elvis gyrates on the Ed Sullivan Show

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The 1950s Cont

• Disneyland Opens
• James Dean (actor) Dies in car accident

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The 1950s Cont

• Civil Rights movement begins
• Segregation ruled illegal in US

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Prices in the 50s

• Car 1,400
• Gasoline 21 cents/gal
• House 12,500
• Bread 10 cents/loaf
• Milk 70 cents/gal
• Postage Stamp 3 cents
• Stock Market 177
• Average Annual Salary 3,150
• Minimum Wage 40 cents per hour

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The Music inCatcher in the Rye

• Holden listens to Jazz music
• In the 50s 60s, Jazz was popular with teens,
  like Rock or Rap today
• Teens went to clubs to listen to Jazz music

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Symbols Red Hunting Hat
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Symbols Baseball Mitt
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Symbol Ducks in the Pond
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Holdens Landmarks

• Pencey Prep

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Holdens Landmarks

• Seton Hall Wicker Bar

• Rockefeller Center

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Holdens Landmarks

• Radio City Hall

• Grand Central Station

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Holdens Landmarks

• Museum of Natural History

• Central Park - Lagoon

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Holdens Landmarks
Carousel
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Summary

• Based on this information, what predictions can
  you make about Holden and his journey in New York?