J.D Salinger, Jesus of Suburbia and Holden Caulfield

1. J.D Salinger, Jesus of Suburbia andHolden Caulfield

2. A Brief Biography of J.D Salinger • 1919-2010 • Full name: Jerome David Salinger • Grew up in Manhattan, New York • Dad was Jewish, mother was Scottish –Irish • Went to prep school and military school; hated rules and structure • Went to Europe at age 18-19 • Attended New York University and took writing classes at Columbia University; published short stories in magazines • Praised Melville, but wasn’t as fond of Hemmingway and Steinbeck as writers • Was known to be sarcastic, sour at times • Fought in WWII, battle left him emotionally scarred • Married a French doctor named Sylvia in 1945; they divorced in 1955 • Salinger's first novel, The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951 • It immediately a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and won huge international acclaim. It sells still some 250 000 copies annually. Salinger did not do much to help publicity, and asked that his photograph should not be used in connection with the book. Later he turned down requests for movie adaptations of the book. • He met Claire Douglas and convinced her to drop out of University 4 months shy of graduation • They married and had two children together: Margaret (1955) and Matthew (1960) • Salinger committed himself fully to yoga and forms of Christian Scientology, along with Claire • Became increasingly reclusive and obsessive in his radical nutritional practices (i.e.: drinking urine and vomiting to cleanse the body) • He divorced Claire in 1967 and he retreated into further recluse and Buddhism. • He moved from New York to New Hampshire and hid away from the public, writing, but not publishing

3. Catching Controversy and Scandal • At the time of its publication, Catcher in the Rye was viewed as racy and inappropriate for adolescent readers because of its “mature content” (offensive language, premarital sex, alcohol abuse and prostitution). • According to some extremist theories, the book is an FBI or CIA tool for mind control. • Mark David Chapman, murderer of musician John Lennon, was carrying the book when he was arrested immediately after the murder and referred to it in his statement to police shortly thereafter. • Ironically, Lennon had been reading the book at the time of his death. • John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was also reported to have been obsessed with the book. • Critics see Holden as a disturbing influence on youths they consider to be "social outcasts". Holden is portrayed as a juvenile who rejects and is rejected by many peers and individuals. People like Chapman and Hinckley come to relate themselves to Holden, the person that nobody understands and that can't understand anybody else. • Thirty years after its publication in 1945-46, The Catcher in the Rye was both the most banned book in America as well as the second most taught book in public schools.

4. Catcher and Culture • Vincent Flumiani is the designer behind new menswear brand Caulfield Prepatory • As the name suggests, the looks are stylish and interpret classic preppy pieces in a modern way, from rumpled shirts and heavy cardigans to corduroy's and crested blazers. • The label recognizes Holden as an emblem of academic rebellion, the thirst for adventure and the need to escape routine. • The brand launched in 2009 and is becoming distinguished in the fashion industry, selling in high-end stores in both the United States and Canada. • Both “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” have paid homage to Catcher in the Rye in various episodes, further emphasizing its impact on modern culture • Numerous songs have referenced the author and his famous work throughout the ages • i.e: Streetlight Manifesto, Greenday, Pencey Prep

5. “So-What” Soldierby: Ms. K. Dayan Childhood innocence bursts like a bubble of gum, As He mumbles he’s had an affair with a bottle of rum, But he’s not drunk, and no, he’s not high, Repeats that he’s no Holden Caulfield- No Catcher in the Rye- that’s a lie, He spells his name with a question mark, And sleeps in the closet, safe is where it’s dark, With another shrug of the shoulders, He’s just one of those so-what soldiers, Tripping in ripped jeans and sewn- on patches, Hiding a collection of bruises and scratches, Gone from riding his bike without a single training wheel, To believing he’s only an apparition, questioning what is real, As his brain he crumples wishes like they’re made of paper, He secretly calls out for a faceless savior.

6. Name: ______________ Comprehension Questions • Answer the following questions on in the spaces provided in full sentences, baring proper mechanics and spelling in mind. Refer to the text when necessary. Each question is worth 5 marks.  • 1) Explain how the character’s inner conflict is revealed in the line “he spells his name with a question mark”. • 2) What does it mean to be a “so what soldier”? Describe how one appears and behaves in your own words, using the text as a reference. • 3) Interpret what a “faceless savior” can be referring to.

7. “Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?”by: Green Day A thought burst in my head and I need to tell youIt's news that I for thoughtWas it just a dream that happened long ago?I think that I just forgotWell it hasn't been the first timeAnd it sure does drive me madThere's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazyThere's no motivation and frustration makes him crazyHe makes a plan to take a stand but always ends up sitting.Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quittingI shuffle through my mindTo see if I can findThe words I left behindWas it just a dream that happened long ago?Oh well...Never mind.Well it hasn't been the first timeAnd it sure does drive me madThere's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazyThere's no motivation and frustration makes him crazyHe makes a plan to take a stand but always ends up sitting.Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quitting There's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazyThere's no motivation and frustration makes him crazyHe makes a plan to take a stand but always ends up sitting.Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quittingThere's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazyThere's no motivation and frustration makes him crazyHe makes a plan to take a stand but always ends up sitting.Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quitting

8. I Wrote Holden Caulfieldby: Screaching Weasel I loved you for the minutewhen you decided to tell me the truthI heard you and that night I cried for youI know that you're alone just like everyone else in the worldDon't tell me that things don't get better'cause sometimes they doSometimes they do and I know they will for youThe days are getting shorterand you're forgetting the things you just saidI'm hoping that you'll move aheadI wonder if you'll ever come to realize what I always knewI wrote Holden Caulfield and so did youI wanna know if you wanna wake upI wanna know when you'll stop dyingfor what you've donestop crying for what you've doneit's only the pastit's only lifewhat have you done that's so badit's only life so don't waste timewhy don't you stop cryingfor what's done for what is done

9. “Jesus of Suburbia”by: Green Day I'm the son of rage and loveThe Jesus of SuburbiaFrom the bible of none of the aboveOn a steady diet of soda pop and RitalinNo one ever died for my sins in hellAs far as I can tellAt least the ones I got away withAnd there's nothing wrong with meThis is how I'm supposed to beIn a land of make believeThat don't believe in meGet my television fix sitting on my crucifixThe living room or my private wombWhile the moms and brats are awayTo fall in love and fall in debtTo alcohol and cigarettes and Mary JaneTo keep me insane and doing someone else's cocaineAnd there's nothing wrong with meThis is how I'm supposed to beIn a land of make believeThat don't believe in me[Part 2: City Of The Damned]At the center of the EarthIn the parking lotOf the 7-11 where I was taughtThe motto was just a lieIt says home is where your heart isBut what a shameCause everyone's heartDoesn't beat the sameIt's beating out of time City of the deadAt the end of another lost highwaySigns misleading to nowhereCity of the damnedLost children with dirty faces todayNo one really seems to careI read the graffitiIn the bathroom stallLike the holy scriptures of a shopping mallAnd so it seemed to confessIt didn't say muchBut it only confirmed thatThe center of the earthIs the end of the worldAnd I could really care lessCity of the deadAt the end of another lost highwaySigns misleading to nowhereCity of the damnedLost children with dirty faces todayNo one really seems to care[Part 3: I don't care]I don't care if you don'tI don't care if you don'tI don't care if you don't care[x4]

10. “Jesus of Suburbia” Cont’d Everyone is so full of shitBorn and raised by hypocritesHearts recycled but never savedFrom the cradle to the graveWe are the kids of war and peaceFrom Anaheim to the middle eastWe are the stories and disciplesOf the Jesus of suburbiaLand of make believeThat don't believe in meLand of make believeAnd I don't believeAnd I don't care!I don't care! [x4][Part 4: Dearly beloved]Dearly beloved are you listening?I can't remember a word that you were sayingAre we demented or am I disturbed?The space that's in between insane and insecureOh therapy, can you please fill the void?Am I retarded or am I just overjoyedNobody's perfect and I stand accusedFor lack of a better word, and that's my best excuse[Part 5: Tales of another broken home]To live and not to breatheIs to die In tragedyTo run, to run awayTo find what you believeAnd I leave behindThis hurricane of fucking lies I lost my faith to thisThis town that don't existSo I runI run awayTo the light of masochistAnd I leave behindThis hurricane of f***ing liesAnd I walked this lineA million and one f****ing timesBut not this timeI don't feel any shameI won't apologizeWhen there ain't nowhere you can goRunning away from painWhen you've been victimizedTales from another broken homeYou're leaving...You're leaving...You're leaving...Ah you're leaving home...

11. “Here’s to Life”by: Streetlight Manifesto How did Camus really die that night?Were they right?When he died was it really his time?Or was it suicide?And Holden Caulfield is a friend of mineWe go drinking from time to timeand I find, it gets harder every timeBack Off!You're out on the street againDon't you stop!Did you know you couldn't swim?Back Off!You're out on the street againI'm not going to play if there ain't no way I'll win!Hemingway never seemed to mind the banalities of a normal lifeand I find, it gets harder every timeSo he aimed the shotgun into the bluePlaced his face in between the two and sighed, "Here's To Life!"Back Off!You're out on the street againDon't you stop!Did you know you couldn't swim?Back Off!You're out on the street againI'm not going to play if there ain't no way I'll win!Hey there Salinger, What did you do? Just when the world was looking at youTo write anything, that meant anythingYou told us you were throughAnd it's been years since you passed awaybut I see no plaque, and I see no grave.And I can't help believing, you wanted it that way.Vincent Van Gogh, Why do you weep?You were on your way to heaven, but the road was steepAnd who was there to break your fall?We're guilty, One and AllAnd I don't know much, but I do know thisWith a golden heart, comes a rebel fistBut I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit.And it makes me sick when I think of itAll my heroes could not live with thisand I hope you rest in peace Because with us, You never did!And K.D.C., you were much too young!And you changed my life!But I draw the line at suicide!