Blog #38: The Catcher in the Rye

Last discussion question blog!! Woo Hoo!! Like I noted with the last book, I think that question number eight is very similar to question number five. I feel like the author of The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger did a fantastic job of accurately reflecting events in history. I think that the references that Holden make towards the war and D-Day were really good clues the this book was taking place right after World II. I also noticed that the author did a good job of showing the the economy was booming and the depression was over. Holden had received several monetary gifts while he was attending Pencey, so that proves to me that The United States had already gotten out of the devastation of the Great Depression that was highlighted in John Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath. The author also made it clear that the economy was booming because he was clear that there were many people out and about on Broadway. I automatically make the assumption that they were out and about because they had money to spend. I do not know about you but I think that it is absolutely no fun to go shopping with my family or a group of friends without any money. I noticed that Holden was annoyed by the fact that there were so many people interested in going to the movies and live shows. People obviously had to have money to buy the tickets and get into those shows. I think that the author also showed that there was a big difference between the relationships between men and women back in the 1940's to 1950's. Holden offers to pay for the three ladies' drinks at the bar, and they do not even offer to pay for them. I think that today it would be considered rude to expect some under aged boy to pay for you whole alcoholic beverage tab. This make is apparent that things have changed between 1950's and today.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Back Bay, 2001. Print.