The Catcher in the Rye

So you’re going to teach J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time, this iconic novel has been a mainstay of English classrooms for decades. While it has its challenging spots—depression, death, and a deceptively blithe protagonist—teaching this text to your class will be rewarding for you and your students. Studying The Catcher in the Rye will give them unique insight into Salinger’s narrative style and the bildungsroman form, as well as important themes surrounding individuality, innocence, and mental health. This guide highlights some of the most salient aspects of the text before you begin teaching.