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In this NPR interview, the co-author of a 2013 biography of Salinger discusses the role of World War II in Salinger’s work and his fear of how his novel would be perceived. The interview provides insight into Salinger’s mental state as he was writing
In this TED Talk, writer Andrew Solomon talks about his journey to understand depression after suffering from it himself. He describes depression as a feeling that “everything there was to do seemed like too much work,” a perspective that helps shed light onto Holden’s depression and apathy throughout the novel.
This article explains the strict gender roles that existed in the 1950s. It also discusses the role popular TV shows played in spreading set ideas about men’s and women’s places both in the world and at home. This piece helps to clarify why Holden hates movies, and it also provides insight into what’s at stake for him in his rebellion against Hollywood.
This clip from a PBS series discusses the stifling, rule-bound atmosphere of 1950s America. Understanding the expectations adults had of children and adolescents during that time can help a contemporary reader understand the full extent of Holden’s rebellion.
Experts plotted Holden’s perambulations through New York City onto an interactive map. They discuss how they located certain fictional locations like the Edmont Hotel as well as where the ducks
This 1989
After Salinger’s death in 2010, three critics at
