Jerome David Jerome David SalingerSalinger

January 1, 1919 –January 1, 1919 –January 27, 2010January 27, 2010

Alina PaninaAlina PaninaGroup 2Group 2

SSalinger was one of the most alinger was one of the most influential American writers of the influential American writers of the 20th century. 20th century.

His landmark novel, His landmark novel, Catcher in the Catcher in the RyeRye, set a new course for literature in , set a new course for literature in post World War II America and his post World War II America and his short storiesshort stories inspired the early careers inspired the early careers of of many other many other writerswriters..

• Salinger published a story for the first time Salinger published a story for the first time at the age of 21at the age of 21

• HeHe had to serve in the Army (1942-1944) had to serve in the Army (1942-1944)

• The trauma from the war resulted in a The trauma from the war resulted in a nervous breakdown nervous breakdown

• Salinger was showered with praise when his Salinger was showered with praise when his novel, The Catcher in the Rye was published novel, The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951in 1951

• He led a private life of immense secrecy and He led a private life of immense secrecy and speculation speculation

• His time in the war was reflected in much of His time in the war was reflected in much of his literature his literature

• J.D. Salinger’s focus on dialogue and third J.D. Salinger’s focus on dialogue and third person narrative is prevalent in many of his person narrative is prevalent in many of his works works 

• When children turn into adults, they lose When children turn into adults, they lose their great ability to think for themselves and their great ability to think for themselves and begin conform to society’s expectations and begin conform to society’s expectations and standardsstandards

The works of J.D. Salinger show the The works of J.D. Salinger show the quest for happiness through religion, quest for happiness through religion, loneliness, and symbolismloneliness, and symbolism

Salinger uses loneliness Salinger uses loneliness

•as a means to change in lifeas a means to change in life

•as an isolation of characters from evilas an isolation of characters from evil

•Salinger uses much of the Zen philosophySalinger uses much of the Zen philosophy to achieve thto achieve thee liberation liberation

•Salinger uses many lucky symbols in his Salinger uses many lucky symbols in his works to show to fulfill the quest for works to show to fulfill the quest for happinesshappiness

•Salinger uses allusion from other works to Salinger uses allusion from other works to show how happiness will be fulfilledshow how happiness will be fulfilled

The writings of the Salinger, The writings of the Salinger, become become very important for this time period, very important for this time period, because he goes against the grain because he goes against the grain of society to show how it is wrong. of society to show how it is wrong. The writings of Salinger, while The writings of Salinger, while they may have been excellent in they may have been excellent in style, have become very style, have become very controversial controversial for what he has portrayed in the for what he has portrayed in the society during this time period.society during this time period.