Summary Of The Great Gatsby By F. Salinger - 904 Words

J.D. Salinger Jerome David Salinger, one of the most influential authors to arise after World War II, was born on January 1, 1919 in New York City. Little is known about his early life except for his education. He attended schools on the upper west side of Manhattan, which would later be the setting of his most famous novel, The Catcher in the Rye. After flunking out of several prep schools, including McBurney’s, his parents sent him to Valley Forge Military Academy. At Valley Forge he maintained average grades and was involved in several clubs and organizations, many of which had to deal with dramatics. Also, during his senior year, he edited the Academy yearbook. He did briefly attend multiple colleges, one of which was Columbia†¦show more content†¦After the war ended, America was rejoicing in economic and political success, which gave way to severe materialism and conservatism. People reverted back to traditional values and morals, and the individual began to less en in social value, as â€Å"blending in† became the norm. Also, beginning at this time was the Cold War, and its aura of despair and paranoia. The term Cold War Concern describes America’s growing worries about their safety and the effectiveness of their education system. Publication of The Catcher, a novel about a socially awkward 16 year old boy who quits school and goes on a three day adventure of self-discovery involving sex, drinking, and cuss words, in 1951 could not have met a more unaccepting audience. Holden’s anti-establishment and crass attitude was directly opposed to the values that had developed in America. In addition, the baby boom generation was growing up, and developing a rebellious attitude that mirrored that of Holden Caulfield. Conservative parents everywhere were shocked and repulsed, and the book was made subject of several censorship campaigns. Salinger became a star in what became known as the post-modernist period in art. Almost all of Salinger’s works portray a few crucial central elements and themes. One of the most prominent is that of the main character being on a spiritual journey in a world of disgusting