THE CATCHER IN THE RYE ^^^^^^^^^^J. D. SALINGER: THE AUTHOR AND HIS TIMES J. D. Salinger shares at least one important trait with his character Holden Caulfield--a powerful urge to separate himself from society. Holden, the chief character of The Catcher in the Rye, tells us that he wants to live on the edge of the woods; Salinger realized this dream by retreating to a small farm town in New Hampshire, where the townspeople seem …showed first 75 words of 11320 total…

…showed last 75 words of 11320 total…ignorant, and they had those sad, fancy hats on and all. And that business about getting up early to see the first show at Radio City Music Hall depressed me." It makes him so depressed he can't stand it, he tells us. He's already used the word "depressed" a few times, and he'll use it many more times later on. Pay attention to the kinds of things he finds depressing. The pattern will help yo