What changed his mind and made him turn his life around, join activities, and get involved. Also, I wonder why Salinger hasn't written anything since The Catcher in the Rye. Such a popular novel, I would think his writing career was at the top, but ironically, he is never heard from again. Perhaps some of these questions can be answered when comparing Salinger's life with that of his character's. .
The setting of The Catcher in the Rye is set among downtown New York City in the 1950's, though this time period has no relevance to the story line. One thing that has made this book such a continuing success, is the fact that it could be set in any time period and still contain all of the same meaning. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist and narrator, is a sixteen year-old junior at Pencey Prep. When we first meet Holden, he says, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you"ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth" (Salinger 3). This gives us our first clue of Holden's cynical nature and gives us a small glimpse into his mind. Ackley is Holden's next door neighbor in the dorm. Holden's handsome, self-assured roommate, Stradlater, is obsessed with himself and assumes that everyone else is obsessed with him as well. Jane Gallanger is Holden's former girlfriend who is now dating Stradlater. Holden's ten year-old sister Phoebe, has the innocence that Holden wishes the rest of the world has. Holden feels that he can really talk to Phoebe and she listens and understands. Perhaps this is why they get along so well. Allie is Holden's younger brother. Although, he never physically appears in the novel for he died a few years prior. This event should be noted when analyzing Holden's psychological state.