From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-The premise of this book (and the series) is that literature is best studied in its historical context. The approach here is interdisciplinary and offers more than just a literary criticism. The authors include excerpts from interviews, newspaper articles, Supreme Court cases, sociological studies, etc. In addition to the insight provided, these records lend a certain authenticity to the discussions. Each of the six chapters takes on a different issue about the novel. "Literary Analysis" gives an overview of its themes, characters, and literary techniques. "Censorship of The Catcher in the Rye" tackles the many controversies since the book's publication in 1951. "America's Postwar Culture" discusses conformity and materialism that mark the time period and how they relate to the book's protagonist. "Holden Caulfield on the Analyst's Couch" discusses adolescence, both then and now. Each chapter concludes with study questions, topics for written or oral exploration, and suggested readings. The comparisons to other authors and works are useful and interesting. Students will find this book helpful in understanding the novel, and teachers will be able to use the questions and topics as springboards to further discussion and research.Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
This rich source of social, cultural, and historical documents and commentary will illuminate the reading of The Catcher in the Rye, a novel that has become an important rite of passage for many young adults. In addition to a literary analysis, this casebook acquaints students with the larger world in which Holden Caulfield moves: Hollywood films, Broadway plays, and jazz musicians. It also presents a detailed account of the censorship challenges to the novel, and provides primary documents on child development and psychology that illuminate Holden's contradictory behavior.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This rich source of social, cultural, and historical documents and commentary will illuminate the reading of The Catcher in the Rye, a novel that has become an important rite of passage for many young adults. In addition to a literary analysis, this casebook acquaints students with the larger world in which Holden Caulfield moves: Hollywood films, Broadway plays, and jazz musicians. It also presents a detailed account of the censorship challenges to the novel, and provides primary documents on child development and psychology that illuminate Holden's contradictory behavior.

SYNOPSIS

A rich source of social, cultural, and historical documents that will illuminate the reading of The Catcher in the Rye.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-The premise of this book (and the series) is that literature is best studied in its historical context. The approach here is interdisciplinary and offers more than just a literary criticism. The authors include excerpts from interviews, newspaper articles, Supreme Court cases, sociological studies, etc. In addition to the insight provided, these records lend a certain authenticity to the discussions. Each of the six chapters takes on a different issue about the novel. "Literary Analysis" gives an overview of its themes, characters, and literary techniques. "Censorship of The Catcher in the Rye" tackles the many controversies since the book's publication in 1951. "America's Postwar Culture" discusses conformity and materialism that mark the time period and how they relate to the book's protagonist. "Holden Caulfield on the Analyst's Couch" discusses adolescence, both then and now. Each chapter concludes with study questions, topics for written or oral exploration, and suggested readings. The comparisons to other authors and works are useful and interesting. Students will find this book helpful in understanding the novel, and teachers will be able to use the questions and topics as springboards to further discussion and research.-Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

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