Introduction

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a novel that has been steeped in controversy. It is one of the most banned books in American literary history for its use of profane language and discussions of sex and atheism (not believing in religion). It is also considered to be a minor classic of American literary history. For many critics it underlines the discontentment of American youth during the 1950s. When studying this novel you should be aware that there are a myriad of interpretations of the novel. Reactions to the main character, Holden Caulfield, are varied amongst readers and students. Generally, he is seen either as arrogant and offensive or as a disaffected yet sensitive youth struggling to come to terms with adulthood.

Context

Firstly, there is some evidence that The Catcher in the Rye is based at least partly on some of the events of J.D. Salinger's own life. Salinger was known to have been to a number of prep schools, similar to private secondary schools in Australia, just as his main character, Holden Caulfield. The wandering that Holden undertakes is not inconsistent with family reports of Salinger.

Secondly, after being well received critically, and having a major impact on the youth of America, Salinger gradually became a recluse (somebody who does not go out in public). From brief and sporadic interviews and public interaction, Salinger has implied that he is still writing but will not publish any of his work until after his death. He has also, through his lawyers, made specific arrangements for the publication of The Catcher in the Rye. Look at the text and notice that there is no blurb (a quotation used for publicity) on the back cover and no information on the author at all. This is Salinger's request. Other novels are not reproduced like this. These eccentricities have made Salinger a cult figure (an obsessively revered).

The time in which The Catcher in the Rye was published is also important. The novel was first published in 1951 and the action of the novel takes place in the late 1940s in New York. It is sometimes seen as being in line with the Beat Generation. The Beat movement was a literary movement, headed by Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, which rejected the social structures and institutions of the time. Stream of consciousness was a common literary technique that will be discussed further in this unit as it is used in The Catcher in the Rye.

The novel has been infamously associated with Mark David Chapman and John Hinckley Jr. Chapman murdered John Lennon and Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. Reportedly Chapman requested that Lennon sign his copy of The Catcher in the Rye on the morning that he murdered Lennon. He was found carrying the book when he was arrested. Hinckley was apparently obsessed with the novel. Certainly there are those people who are concerned about the influence that Holden Caulfield has over social outcasts, but Salinger's text is still one of the most widely studied novels for students.

Purpose and audience

The exact intended audience and purpose of The Catcher in the Rye is unclear and certainly its reclusive composer is in no haste to illuminate the reasons behind its conception. The most critically accepted purpose of The Catcher in the Rye is to express the frustrations of youth, trying to come to terms with adolescence and an increasingly complex and seemingly confusing adult world.

The intended audience of The Catcher in the Rye is likely to be adolescents and certainly it has been an extremely popular novel amongst this age group for its ability to tap into the emotions and frustrations of teenagers.

Narrative techniques

It is likely that you have never read a novel written in the way that The Catcher in the Rye is written. Let's look at some of the techniques that make this novel unique.

1. Genre

The Catcher in the Rye can be described as a bildungsroman. This is where a main character undergoes growth into maturity; most often this is presented as the transformation from childhood to adulthood. In this novel the main character, Holden Caulfield, struggles to grow into an adult as he discusses education, sex and maturity.

2. Narrative voice

The novel is narrated by its main character, and arguably its only well developed character, Holden Caulfield. His narration takes place in an unspecified mental institution, which implies that he has recently had a mental breakdown of some sort. His narration is rambling and inconsistent and the reader is often forced to consider the reliability of the narrator. This is important. Can you think of any other novel that you have read where you have been aware that the narrator may not be telling the truth?

The narration is mostly in the first person and is one person's view of events. There are, however, quite a few examples where the narrator directly invokes the reader's participation in the text through the use of second person (addressing the reader), as Holden seemingly seeks acceptance and validation from his unknown reader. This also has the effect of helping the reader to empathise with and relate to the narrator.

3. Language

Salinger uses language very effectively to convey a sense of the character to the audience. In particular, the language that Holden uses is colloquial in an attempt to imitate the way that teenagers talk. Holden makes great use of sarcasm, still a favourite language technique that teenagers use in their everyday life. This not only has the effect of negativity but also creates ambiguity (an element of uncertainty) into what Holden really means. The use of profane language (swear words) is used by Salinger to demonstrate Holden's frustration. His language, although seemingly common-place at school, is not widely accepted in the adult world.

4. Symbols and motifs

Many of the motifs presented by Salinger are the words that the narrator uses. This may represent the narrator's limited vocabulary, but there is strong evidence that Salinger has purposefully used the repetition of particular words and phrases to further express the confusion and frustration of Holden Caulfield. Three major examples of words and phrases that are used as motifs include, 'phonies', 'that kills me' and 'if you want to know the truth'. These words are repeated throughout the novel and it is how they are used in conflicting circumstances for conflicting purposes that will give them meaning as motifs.

The three major symbols to look at are Holden's red hunting cap, which symbolises the ferocity of the adult world, Phoebe and Jane Gallagher, Holden's younger sister and a girl who he has a crush on, who for him, represents innocence and purity. These symbols interact in a disturbingly disconnected and rambling fashion throughout Holden's narration.

On the whole, the symbols and motifs present in The Catcher in the Rye often contradict and contrast with each other. This is an important effect as it emphasises the mental instability and immaturity of Holden Caulfield's character. He cannot seem to decide on a world view that will let him exist in the adult world and help him to accept the loss of innocence associated with adolescence and the eventual transformation into adulthood.

Make sure that you understand the following terms before continuing your study of the novel:

• Context
• Voice
• Symbol
• Motif
• Sarcasm
• Colloquial language

Information on these terms is available on this website in the unit 'Reference Package - How Meaning is Shaped in Text'.