J. D. Salinger – A Study of His Works & Writing Advice

“I’m sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody. – J. D. Salinger

Though he preferred a life of reclusiveness, J. D. Salinger was certainly nothing of a nobody. A writer, Salinger is best known for his hit novel, Catcher in the Rye – one of the most popular books of the twentieth century – and his profound writing about the theme of adolescence. He published a smaller amount of his works than many of his writing counterparts, but what he did produce remains prominent and widely studied, as well as celebrated. 

Salinger was a famously reclusive and private writer, preferring solitude to create in, and he eventually retreated from the public eye, but his status as an extremely important addition to the American literary canon remains ever present. This article will take a deep dive into J. D. Salinger– his history, writing style, some of his major works, legacy, and writing advice – for hopes of learning more about just who this writer was and why he was significant, as well as what we can learn from him.

A Brief History of J. D. Salinger

Born on January 1st, 1919, in New York City, Jerome David Salinger was the youngest in a small Jewish family. Dark-haired and with very piercing eyes, Salinger grew up in Manhattan and made his way through a series of schools before landing at Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania in his mid-teens. There, though Salinger had found difficulty with fitting in at his previous schools, he got involved in various activities, but perhaps more importantly, began to write stories. 

After his graduation in 1936, Salinger enrolled at New York University (NYU), but he only completed a semester and a half before dropping out. A few months later, he took his father’s advice and went to Austria and Poland to learn about the meat business. He would go on to leave Vienna only one month before Nazi Germany invaded Austria in March of 1938. 

Back in America, he attempted to return to school, this time in Pennsylvania, but none of his tristes with college stuck until 1939 at Columbia University School of General Studies in his home city, where he met his mentor, Whit Burnett. 

In 1941, Salinger began submitting stories to The New Yorker, and in December of that year, his short story “Slight Rebellion off Manhattan” was accepted and would go on to inspire his future-hit, Catcher in the Rye. However, Salinger was left extremely disappointed when, in the wake of Pearl Harbor, his story was nixed from publication because of the plot’s ties to war. Not long after, in 1942, Salinger was drafted into the army, and would go on to witness some of the most vicious battles of the second World War. After Germany’s defeat, he worked in “denazification” there, where he met his first wife, Sylvia, though their marriage was short-lived. 

In 1946, Salinger had another bout with publishing disappointment when his mentor, Burnett, fell through on a promise to get a collection of his stories published. But finally, in 1947, Salinger found success with “Bananafish,” a short story published in The New Yorker that found critical acclaim and was the first of several of Salinger’s stories to focus on the Glass family. In 1951, “Catcher in the Rye” was published, which focused on the protagonist of his earlier story “Slight Rebellion off Manhattan,” Holden Caulfield, and was an immediate success that went on to sell millions of copies and become banned in several countries. It remained the pinnacle of Salinger’s career until his death in 2010, and by then he’d published little after “Catcher in the Rye” and withdrawn into relative reclusivity.

Writing Style

Much of Salinger’s work focuses on young people, and he said that he preferred writing younger characters, which is perhaps entwined with his attachment to the themes of innocence and adolescence that he so often utilized. His young characters have also been called exceptionally well-characterized, but it was his realistic dialogue, however, as well as his unique language and writing voice that have been most noted by scholars and critics for making him stand out.  

“Catcher in the Rye”

"The Catcher in the Rye" was first published in 1951 and is a seminal work in American literature. Known for its portrayal of teenage angst, rebellion, and the search for identity, it continues to captivate readers today and has sold more than sixty-five million copies.

The story is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned sixteen-year-old who has been expelled from his preparatory school, Pencey Prep, for failing classes. He decides to head to New York City and stay in a hotel until the end of the semester to avoid facing his parents about his expulsion, so throughout the plot he wanders through the city, interacting with various people, often feeling disconnected and alienated. 

Over the course of the novel, Holden struggles with the superficiality and phoniness he perceives in the adult world, and tries to find authenticity and purity in a world he views as corrupt and dishonest. Holden's emotional turmoil is rooted in the loss of his younger brother, Allie, to leukemia, which haunts him, and he grapples with grief and an intense desire to protect innocence and childhood. This is symbolized by his fantasy of being a "catcher in the rye," saving children from falling into the corruption and disillusionment of adulthood. The novel explores the confusion, alienation, and rebellion typical of adolescence, with Holden searching for genuine human connection amidst a world he finds artificial. 

Today, "The Catcher in the Rye" is considered a classic of American literature, and it continues to be celebrated for its evocative prose, its unfiltered depiction of youth, and its enduring exploration of universal themes. Holden Caulfield has become an iconic character, resonating with readers across generations, and his place in pop culture has been well-solidified alongside J. D. Salinger’s as a well-known American writer. 

Though this novel also sparked controversy alongside its acclaim, even being banned in several countries, it has had little impact on its popularity; it has been widely studied in schools and universities around the world. And there are many that would say “Catcher in the Rye” is one of the required readings when it comes to important English fiction of the twentieth century. 

"Bananafish"

"Bananafish" is a short story first published in The New Yorker in 1948. It's one of the most acclaimed and studied stories from Salinger's collection "Nine Stories,” a short story collection, and is the first in a series of stories about the Glass family. 

The plot revolves around Seymour Glass, a deeply troubled war veteran, and his interaction with a young girl named Sybil Carpenter while he's on vacation with his wife, Muriel, at a Florida beach resort. Seymour, despite his intellectual depth, is haunted by the traumatic experiences he faced during the war. As a result, he struggles deeply with inner turmoil and existential anguish though he is outwardly depicted as perceptive and contemplative. 

Sybil, a child he encounters on the beach, engages with him innocently, and they share a brief but poignant interaction while at the beach. The titular "bananafish" comes from a story Seymour tells Sybil about these mythical creatures that gorge themselves on bananas and become trapped, unable to escape through a hole in the rocks, which serves as a metaphor for Seymour's own predicament, feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with the complexities of the world.

The story takes a tragic turn, though, when Seymour returns to his hotel room. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and when Muriel returns from the beach, she finds him in a disturbing state. The story ends ambiguously, leaving the reader to interpret the events and contemplate Seymour's mental state.

The themes of isolation and alienation, innocence and corruption, and mental health and trauma are prominent throughout the story, with some scholars wondering about the personal influences on this story from Salinger’s wartime experiences. Ultimately, though, "Bananafish" was celebrated for its rich characterization, evocative prose, and its exploration of complex themes within a relatively short narrative upon its release, and continues to be today. It is a prime example of Salinger's ability to delve into the human psyche and his masterful ability to portray characters with depth and subtlety.

“Franny & Zooey”

"Franny and Zooey" is a collection of two interconnected novellas published together in book form in 1961. It comprises "Franny" and "Zooey," two stories that follow the lives of the Glass family, a recurring set of characters in Salinger's works.

The first novella, "Franny," centers on Franny Glass, a young college student disillusioned with the superficiality and hypocrisy she perceives in the world around her. She becomes deeply affected by a spiritual book called "The Way of the Pilgrim," which focuses on the practice of continuous prayer known as the Jesus Prayer. Franny's internal struggle intensifies as she grapples with existential questions about the meaning of life, the authenticity of religious practice, and the pursuit of enlightenment. She experiences a spiritual and existential crisis, feeling disconnected from the materialistic concerns of her peers and disillusioned by the academic environment.

The second novella, "Zooey," shifts the focus to Franny's older brother, Zooey Glass. Zooey, a somewhat eccentric character, attempts to comfort and guide Franny through her emotional crisis. He engages in lengthy and profound conversations with Franny, offering unconventional but insightful advice and perspective rooted in their family's unconventional beliefs. And throughout their dialogue, Zooey draws on their family's teachings and philosophy, including their beliefs in Eastern mysticism, to help Franny navigate her existential crisis and come to terms with her disillusionment.

Both novellas explore themes of spirituality, existential crisis, and the search for meaning and authenticity in a world filled with superficiality and materialism as the characters grapple with questions of faith, identity, and the purpose of existence. They also delve into the complex dynamics of the Glass family via the relationships and interactions between family members, particularly between Franny and Zooey, and Salinger also pointedly examines the tension between intellectual pursuits and genuine, heartfelt beliefs. 

Today, "Franny and Zooey" is revered for its introspective exploration of the human condition, philosophical inquiry, and the complexity of familial relationships. It showcases Salinger's unique dialogue, rich character development, and his ability to address profound existential questions in a deeply personal and intimate manner. The book's themes of spirituality, disillusionment, and the search for authenticity resonates deeply with readers, making it a notable addition to Salinger's body of work and a significant contribution to American literature.

Legacy & Influence

J.D. Salinger's legacy in literature remains profound and enduring. Despite having a relatively small body of published work, he left an indelible mark on the literary world. "The Catcher in the Rye," continues to resonate with readers worldwide, being celebrated for its exploration of teenage angst, alienation, and the loss of innocence, and its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, has become an iconic literary figure. Salinger's honest portrayal of adolescent struggles, and his exploration of themes such as identity, alienation, and the human condition, have also influenced numerous writers that came after him. Many authors have been inspired by his narrative techniques and his ability to capture the inner lives of characters, and Salinger's ability to capture the complexities of adolescence have also had a lasting influence on the genre of young adult literature. 

Writing Advice

J.D. Salinger, though famously reclusive and private, did offer some insights and advice on writing. Firstly, he emphasized the importance of authenticity and writing for oneself. He believed that writers should stay true to their own voices and not cater excessively to external expectations or trends. He valued honesty in writing, encouraging writers to delve into their truths and emotions, and he believed in the power of raw and genuine storytelling, even if it meant exploring uncomfortable or challenging themes. 

As a rule, he also believed in the importance of proper craftsmanship and meticulous revision, and he was known for his perfectionism in writing and polishing his work. 

And like many successful writers, Salinger also advocated for the habit of reading extensively. He believed that exposure to diverse literature and styles could inform a writer's own craft and expand their creative horizons, and his adherence to such beliefs served him well throughout his life.