The Catcher in the Rye - 5

5) How does this novel reflect the history, behavior and social issues of the time period and setting?  What is this book's symbolic and thematic significance?


The story is set around the 1940s or 1950s when it was written, as there is no direct indication of the date.  At this point in history, in America, women didn't have quite as many rights as they do now, language was different, schools were still gender-specific, and everyone treated each other a bit more violently than they do now. 
In the 1940s and 50s, America was still developing its culture.  Segregation was still a large factor to the general public, and no African Americans are mentioned at all during the story.  Apart from racial segregation, there was a large amount of gender segregation and sexism.  Women were not allowed to vote or attend the same schools as men.  They were seen as a household assistant, rather than companions and humans.  In the story, Caulfield refers to women in a demeaning manner.  Due to fond childhood memories, he thinks of Jane with goodness and respect (Salinger 31). Unfortunately, this is the only woman he is able to comprehend with respect.  With many other women, he tries to undergo sexual interaction with apathy and criticism.  Although he is unable to accomplish anything because of his immature mentality, his opinion of them remains the same (Salinger 96).  
The language was also very different, although I'm not sure if Caulfield is the best example of this.  The way he speaks does not have much legitimacy compared to the language of other people in the story.  After rereading some parts of the book, I've determined that Caulfield was not mentally stable, and the hospital he goes to at the end of the story is a mental facility.  Even so, he still is able to talk to others with simplistic charisma.  They would speak with a bit less articulation then we do now, and they would say unfriendly things that you would not hear in modern-day conversation.  An example of this would be a conversation between Caulfield and an unpleasant taxi cab driver (Salinger 82).  
During this time, it seems to me that people were not as clear about things as they are today.  I feel as though this book was almost intended to expose how ridiculous our society used to be, and how closed-minded, confusing, and critical our world once was.  


Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1991