Question

How did j. d. salinger, in the catcher in the rye, depict the culture of the 1950s?

Answer 1

JD Salinger, in The Catcher in the Rye, depicted the culture of the 1950s as a time when the younger generations were subject to strict rules as a result of the end of World War II. In the book, the main character is threatened to be sent to a military school which is very similar to Salinger's real life experience.

Answer 2

During the 1950s, the country was recovering from the trauma and disruption that WWII had caused. In order to do so, many people believed it was necessary for society to go back to a point in which social rules were not questioned, and peace and routine were maintained. This was aided by the fact that the economy of post-WWII US was booming. Therefore, society became more rigid and social rules were enforced much more intensely.

This is the culture that J. D. Salinger depicts in his novel. He argues, in an indirect way, that the culture of the 1950s was oppressive and false. Moreover, he created characters who refused to conform to such a society. His characters use profanity, question moral and social rules and feel alienated in the world. These issues resonated with many people, and led The Catcher in the Rye to become a classic book in the countercultural revolt of these years.