The Catcher in the Rye | The Catcher in the Rye

At a glance:

Author: J. D. Salinger
First Published: 1951
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: Late 1940’s
Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Social realism, Bildungsroman
Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Family or family life, New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Adolescence, Sex or sexuality, New York City, 1940’s, Alienation, Friendship, Brothers and sisters, Mental illness, Truthfulness and falsehood, Students or student life, Psychiatry or psychiatrists, Private schools
Locales: New York, NY, Pennsylvania

Places Discussed

*New York City. Primary setting for most of Salinger’s writings. Salinger knew the city well; while he grants New York the “big-city” aura for which it is famous, he also paints a picture of the city’s darker side. Instead of having Holden attend fancy cocktail parties, Salinger has him staying at the seedy Edmont Hotel and sleeping in Grand Central Station. According to Salinger, New York is a place that brings out the worst in people.

*Upper East Side. Manhattan neighborhood in which Holden’s family lives. While his parents are away, he...

The Catcher in the Rye | The Catcher in the Rye

At a glance:

Places Discussed

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