The Catcher in the Rye Group
Question:
How are the events of Salinger's life reflected in the novel, "The Catcher in the Rye"?
Answers:
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slshcolnik Teacher
High School - 10th GradePosted by slshcolnik on Saturday May 3, 2008 at 2:24 PMWhile J.D. Salinger has always been closed about his life, we do know that he was also kicked out of several prepatory schools like Holden in the novel. He also had a sister, although she was older, who could have been reflected in the character of Phoebe.
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pmiranda2857 Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 10:47 AMJerome David Salinger grew up in New York in an upper class family of means. He was sent to a private preparatory school which he failed out of and then attended a military academy. Other evidence of the author found in the book comes in the form of Holden's isolation from society. Salinger is a recluse.
Salinger is reportedly locked away in some bunker still writing novels that no one is allowed to read. It is suggested in literary gossip circles that there is a treasure of Salinger's work stored up somewhere that will be released after his death.
In The Catcher in the Rye, the author is present in both the character of Holden and the older brother D.B who is a writer. It is not hard to imagine that the next step for Holden, after he gets out of the mental institution is a military school.