J. D. Salinger the aloof rebel

J. D. Salinger the aloof rebel

"What really fascinates me is a book that, after reading it, makes you wish the author was a great friend you could call whenever you wanted."

J.D. Salinger

One of such authors is certainly the American writer J.D. Salinger. He was born in 1919 in New York as a child from an "impermissible" marriage between a rabbi's son and a mother who was of Scots-Irish origin.

His father was engaged in entrepreneurship, i.e. importing kosher cheese and meat, and his mother, before marriage, changed her name to Miriam in order to please her future husband's parents. The writer also had a sister, Doris, who was eight years older.

Although he was undoubtedly very intelligent, Salinger was not a very good student.

When he finished elementary school, his family sent him to the Military Academy, which was similar to the schools from which Holden Caulfield, the main character of the novel The Hunter in the Wheat, was kicked out. 

A few years later, he enrolled at the University of New York, soon gave up his studies, and, at his father's suggestion, moved to Vienna, where he got a job in a meat packing company.

At that time, the Nazis were coming to power in Austria, war seemed almost inevitable, so he managed to return to the United States at the last minute.

He actively participated in the Long World War, and was also one of the soldiers who invaded Normandy. Comrades described him as a brave and true hero.

Salinger, like many others, came out of the war with great trauma. Namely, he had a nervous breakdown, after which he was hospitalized, and the details of his stay in the hospital are shrouded in secrecy. 

However, what is known is that during his recovery he met a woman named Sylvia, a German and probably a former member of the Nazi movement. The two got married, and the marriage lasted only eight months.

He married secondly Claire Douglas, the daughter of a prominent British art critic. The couple was together for more than ten years and had two children.

The writer was very withdrawn, socialized with a small number of people and refused to give interviews. He enjoyed watching movies, and a poor screen adaptation of his short story "Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut" prevented him from allowing film adaptations of his other works.

Throughout his life, Salinger explored various religions and alternative practices. From Hinduism, Zen Buddhism and Kriya Yoga to homeopathy and acupuncture.

"I'm sick of just loving people. I'd like to meet someone I can respect."

J.D. Salinger

Literary style

Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye", at the time it was published, was known as a very controversial book. One of the reasons that speak in favor of this is the use of swear words that Holden, the novel's main character, often uses. 

Although today words like "damn" or "bastard" don't sound so intriguing, in the fifties of the 20th century such speech was banned in schools around the world. Moreover, teachers lost their jobs because of putting that book on the reading list.

The American writer's writing style is characterized by a peculiar use of dialogue and a focus on the inner life of the protagonist. He uses everyday language, the sentences usually vary in length, and in this way he actually imitates natural speech patterns.

Shorter sentences bring moments of insight, and longer ones describe the flow of thoughts of the actors, revealing their inner dialogues and emotional states.

Also, Salinger has the ability to persuade, which makes it very easy for the reader to connect with the characters, regardless of the fact that his protagonists often think completely differently from most people.

In ultimately, it can be said that he is a writer using seemingly simple narrative techniques on paper conveyed the deepest human truths.

In his works he explores the following themes:

• enlightenment
• spirituality
• growing up
• alienation
• disappointment
• search for meaning

Literary the works of J.D. Salinger

Photo: Marijana Matijević

Catcher in the Wheat

Salinger's most famous book, at one point banned in schools. The main character of the novel is the sensitive sixteen-year-old New Yorker Holden Caulfield.

The young man is a very layered person, simultaneously simple and complex, so it is difficult for the reader to form a final opinion about him.

Holden is expelled from the private school he attended and decides to go to New York for three days before returning home and telling his parents what happened. He wanders the streets and meets various colorful people. The story follows those days spent in the big city.

The Catcher in the Rye is a classic that talks about innocence, belonging and loss, and the protagonist has become an icon of teenage rebellion around the world.

Photo: Marijana Matijević

Raise the roof beam high, tesari/Seymour: introduction

The book contains two separate novellas, both of which deal with Seymour, the eldest son of the Glass family.

U the first one, called "Raise the roof beam high, carpenters", is narrated by Buddy, the second oldest son who comes to his brother's wedding.

However, Seymour does not appear at his own wedding, which shocks everyone present. On the way home from the failed celebration, while driving in the car, the guests from the bride's side express their dissatisfaction with the groom's absence and start a critical discussion about him character.

Buddy, who is also in that vehicle, keeps quiet in order to find out as much information as possible. In the end, he reveals his identity to his companions and decides to defend his brother. 

In the second novella, we learn that Seymour committed suicide. This part is written in the form of stream of consciousness and talks about Eastern religious mysticism.

Nine Stories

Photo: Marijana Matijević

It is a collection of nine short stories that delve into the complexity of human nature. 

1. A perfect day for banana-fish

The story is about a war veteran, Seymour Glass, who struggles with the consequences of his experiences.

2. Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut

The plot follows Eloise, a woman who is dissatisfied with her life and finds solace in alcohol. Through a conversation with Mary Jane, a friend from college, he reveals disappointment and regret for unfulfilled dreams.

3. Before the start of the war with the Eskimos

The writer presents us with two young women who, despite their differences, connect on the basis of a common sense of alienation.

4. The Smiling Man

Criticism of a society in which people, who do not belong to the upper class, have to pretend to be something they are not in order to arouse the admiration of other members of the community.

5. Down by the boat

In this story we follow complex family relationships.

6. For Esme - with love and nausea

The soldier finds solace in the innocence of the young girls amidst the horrors of war.

7. My beautiful mouth and green eyes

The story of infidelity and deception is told. Here, the writer explores the theme of authenticity while the characters struggle with their own identity and the masks they put on in their relationships with others.

8. Blue phase De Daumier - Smith

The main character is a young artist who is trying to find his place in the chaos that surrounds him.

9. Teddy

The collection ends with Teddy, a boy who possesses incredible wisdom. His thoughts on life and death encourage the reader to introspect.

Franny and Zooey

A novel in two parts that follows the lives of the two youngest members of the Glass family. Franny is a young, beautiful woman in a seemingly ideal relationship with an intelligent and self-confident boyfriend Lane.

Everything seems perfect until they start talking about the things that really matter to them. At that moment, their real feelings begin to surface.

The second story takes us into the world of the dysfunctional Glass family. 

When Franny experiences a nervous breakdown, i.e. an identity crisis, her brother Zooey, a misanthrope and genius, will help her find inner peace again.

Prepared by: Marijana Matijević