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The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide

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The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide Name: ____________________________________________ Mrs. Hornung Honors English 10 January 7, 2019 The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide Characteristics of Classics When you hear the words classic literature, what comes to mind? Is it stuffy period pieces, where the list of characters is so long, you'd rather just not even get started? Does it have to be really old? What about a book that has been censored, or even banned? Sometimes, labeling a book as a classic can be misleading, because it means so many different things to different readers. When books are labeled as classic literature, there are a number of factors that may contribute to this prestigious designation. Some of these factors may include, but are not limited to, cultural and historical significance, universality of thematic content, popularity, sales, and notoriety, among many others. Needless to say, not all classic works of literature are created equal. In this lesson, we will examine some of the factors that contribute to the classic status of J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye. Historical and Social Significance First of all, the narrative of Holden Caulfield's journey from Pencey Prep to New York City and his now- infamous three-day escapade offer twenty-first century readers a glimpse of life in the years immediately following World War II. The book itself became instantly contested with two somewhat conflicting reviews published in the New York Times on two consecutive days in 1951. First greeted with mixed sentiments, the novel ultimately received glowing reviews, which catapulted the novel to a level close to that of Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises just a little over 25 years earlier. The Catcher in the Rye ultimately ended up being quite influential upon subsequent post-war literary and cultural movements, including Beat Generation writers like Jack Kerouac. Other cultural scholars have given the Holden Caulfield character credit for youth movements of the 1960s and 1970s, beginning with Hollywood's portrayal of rebellious youth in the mid to late 1950s. Universal Themes and Content Although much has changed since the era when Salinger first penned Holden's story, little has changed with regard to how teenagers view the world during adolescence - something often referred to as teen angst. For many readers, The Catcher in the Rye changes the way they identify with literature. Feeling a lack of agency, or control, in their own lives is a part of the adolescent struggle. It is not uncommon for young readers to identify with Holden Caulfield. Besides teen angst, the story also deals with thematic material related to mental health, family issues, adolescent relationships, and school dynamics. While each of these could easily be a lesson on its own, the important take- away in this lesson is the fact that the use of universal themes and content contribute to the novel's classic status. Study.com Popularity vs. Timelessness Classic status for literature can be a result of popularity or whether the work in question is able to stand the test of time. Unlike literature that we consider classics from the pre-industrial age, we have sales figures in the form of copies sold that help demonstrate the popularity of a work of literature. The Catcher in the Rye, for example, has sold over 65 million copies to date and continues to sell very well each year. This does not mean, however, that every book that is popular or sells well is a classic - far from it. Although some books do become 'instant classics,' some time needs to pass after publication in order to allow for public discourse. The Catcher in the Rye may have achieved a certain level of notoriety right away, but it did take a while for its classic status to catch on among the literati, those people who consider themselves 'in the know' regarding what makes great literature. Infamy and Notoriety Sometimes people want to know what all the hype is about, which is why books like The Catcher in the Rye can attract so much attention. The book itself was one of the most censored books from the early 1960s to the early 1980s, which will pique the curiosity of readers who may have otherwise looked the other way. Each year, it is still featured among the lists of books during Banned Books Week, which usually takes place the last week of September. Banning the book in many cases was not enough, and the popularity of Holden's story continued to grow. Additionally, the author's reclusive lifestyle and the fact that no new novels were published by him while he while still alive have added to the Salinger mystique, with many readers waiting for his works to be released posthumously, meaning happening after death. Additionally, the Library of Congress has listed it among the 'Books that Shaped America,' regardless of its profanity. For some reason, there have been more than a few negative portrayals of the novel's influence, both in the news as well as in the movie theater. Mark David Chapman, the man who assassinated John Lennon, was reportedly obsessed with the novel. Additionally, in the 1997 film Conspiracy Theory, Mel Gibson played a character who was obsessed with the novel to the point of stashing them all over his home. There are other strange references to the novel and conspiracy theories, which might inspire people to read the novel for entirely different reasons. Lesson Summary Although some of these factors may not completely underscore the significance of such a well-known piece of literature, they can be combined to enhance our understanding of why a book like The Catcher in the Rye is considered classic literature. Historically, the novel reflects a time that exerted great influence upon literary and social movements. Universal themes and content, such as teen angst, mental health, and family issues make the novel relatable to readers of today, which continue to keep the novel's sales figures high and point to a longevity of the work for years to come. The novel not only continues to be assigned by English teachers in high schools across the United States each year, but attracts readers from all walks of life into Holden's search for himself and something intangible along the way. Study.com “Why is The Catcher in the Rye a Classic?” 1. How did the New York Times respond to the publication of The Catcher in the Rye? A. They published a scathing review, panning the novel. B. They published a critical review one day, and then published a highly complementary review the following day. C. They neglected to review it until several weeks after its publication. D. They published a glowing review of the novel, touting J.D. Salinger's genius as a writer. 2. Which list of books has The Catcher in the Rye been placed upon, along with other classics of American literature? A. Books that Were Revised B. Books that Changed Lives C. Books that Damaged Children D. Books that Shaped America 3. Which American literary movement is The Catcher in the Rye credited with influencing? A. The Beat Generation B. The Lost Generation C. The Transcendentalists D. The Modernists 4. Which of the following does NOT contribute to novels being viewed as classics? A. Historical Significance B. Infamy and Notoriety C. Universal Themes D. Publishing Pedigree 5. What is one of the universal themes addressed in The Catcher in the Rye? A. Fear B. Good vs. Evil C. Teen Angst D. Influence Study.com What Is a Bildungsroman? A Bildungsroman is a story of education. It is similar to coming-of-age stories; however, the characters of the Bildungsroman are more specific. In order for a novel to be considered a true Bildungsroman, the main character has to experience some form of moral development. In essence, they have to grow up. The focus of the character's growth is the main thrust of the narrative. Bildungsroman History Bildungsroman is a German word. It was first introduced by Karl Morgenstern in the early 19th century and was later popularized by Wilhelm Dilthey in the early 20th century. The popularity of the genre first spread across the European continent and then the entire world. Today, the genre remains one of the most popular forms of storytelling. Some of the most classic stories in film, literature and stage center around the story of a young person going out into the world and learning harsh lessons on their way to finding maturity. Characteristics There are thousands of different Bildungsroman stories out there. So, although they share similar characteristics, they will not all be exactly the same. Here's a list of the genre's most prominent characteristics. There is a search for meaning by the protagonist, who is usually foolish and inexperienced at the beginning of the narrative. The story typically centers on the maturation process of a single person. There is some kind of inciting incident that pushes the protagonist into their journey. It's usually something akin to a great emotional loss, like the death of a parent. The journey will not be easy. In fact, there will be many failures along the way. The hero will be tested, and he will fight tooth and nail to survive the unwavering rules and limits of society. There is usually an epiphany, or a flashing moment where the hero finally 'gets it.' This lucidity changes them as a person. They learn what it takes to be a grown up in the real world. The hero will eventually find his place in society by accepting its values and rules.
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