Published 1951

• Presents a view of America in the late 1940’s and early 1950’sThe schoolsThe urban experienceThe family relationshipsThe peer influencesThe personal values

RealismIn its use of languageIn its use of social criticism where it is dueIn its presentation of real problems which

adolescents face in the process of achieving maturity

RomanticismIn its view of the innocence of childhoodIn its quest for truthIn its idealizing of the pastIn its emphasis on individual discovery and

growth

Frame Story Structure

• Outside frame – Holden’s talking to a psychoanalyst

• Inside story – Holden’s own narrative, with flashbacks of the events

Narrative

• 1st person• Autobiographical• Episodic - divided into separate or tenuously related parts or

sections; loosely connected: • Picaresque - involving clever rogues or adventurers

• Psychological – the events narrated are accompanied by Holden’s thoughts

• Quest narrative- in which Holden seeks to discover truth, values, and ultimately, himself and his place in the world

Some Values Stressed The need for inner direction and commitment to action A sensitive awareness of life’s compensations; a

necessary balance of sympathy and rejection, joy and sorrow

The recognition of superficial standards of behavior; the challenge of seeking positive change in one’s moral environment

The ability to feel compassion and to expect justice for all The therapeutic worth of honesty in communications with

others; the treatment of every person as an individual The learning of universal love and empathy in one’s

individual struggle against hypocrisy and worldly corruption