I. About the Author

The Catcher in the Rye

Name:______Date:______

Webquest – The Catcher in the Rye http://sites.google.com/site/craff214/home

“People never notice anything” (9).

Today you will be completing a Webquest to give you some background information that will help you to understand the novel and Holden as a narrator a little bit better. You should go to the site above and follow the directions. Take notes and complete the worksheet. You will be quizzed on some of this material in class on Wednesday. Be sure you read carefully! I hope you find some of this interesting. Whatever you do not complete in class will be homework!

I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

1. FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fact 1

Fact 2

Fact 3

Fact 4

Fact 5

2. How might World War II have affected J.D. Salinger and his writing?

3. What kind of lifestyle does J.D. Salinger live?

4. What is ironic about the author’s own son, Matt Salinger?

The Catcher in the Rye

II. SETTING THE SCENE FOR THE BOOK

After reading “Interview with the Author” a. In the first interview, Interview with an Author in 1953 by Shirley Blaney, Salinger says he started writing Catcher in the Rye in the year ______and ended in the year ______. b. In this same interview, what was Salinger’s response to the question that asks if this novel is autobiographical?

HISTORICAL CONTEXT – List at least 5 major events/ideas going on during the time Salinger wrote his novel. a. b. c. d. e.

III. LEGACY

1. To this day, Salinger's Holden and Catcher in the Rye have influenced many bands in the making of their lyrics. Greenday wrote a song named "Who Wrote Holden Caulfied?". Find one other example of a band or musician who was influenced by J.D. Salinger's character or book... go to google and do a search. ______

Explain the connection between the band, musician, or the song and the novel. Make predictions if it is not stated.

The Catcher in the Rye

2. After reading, “Young Adult Lit Grows up Fast” paying special attention to “A Dark Streak Grows,” what was The Catcher in the Rye’s influence on Young Adult Literature?

3. Of the comprehensive list of Cultural References (scroll all the way down and look at all of them), which three interest you the most? Why?? a.

**Be sure that you go to the interactive map and check out all of the places in Manhattan that Holden visits. Hold house mouse over each to read the description.

III. FINAL RELATED ARTICLE

Now head to this article: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/taking-a-walk- through-jd-salingers-new-york/

What do you think about J.D. Salinger’s choice to set this novel in a big city like NYC? Any thoughts? What could it show/mean?