The Work Of J.D. Salinger

Many critics consider J.D. Salinger a very controversial writer, for the
subject matters that he writes.. J.D. Salinger's works were generally
written during two time periods. The first time period was during World
War II, and the second time period was during the 1960's. Critics feel
that the works during the 1960 time period were very inappropriate, because
of the problems for which he wrote. The main characters were generally
misfits of society. In most of his works, he has the protagonist of the
story go on a quest for happiness. Salinger does not conform to the
material happiness; the characters undergo a spiritual happiness. The
characters generally start out as in bad ...

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stands for the last hope for Franny in this situation.
Franny would be lost if their was no prayer. (Bryfonski and Senick 71).
Salinger shows us comfort in Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caufield, the
protagonist, is very much in despair for losing his girlfriend, so Caufield
reads a passage in the Bible. This helps Holden change his outlook on life
(Salzberg 75). Holden was all alone at this point and had no one to turn
back on, until he found the Bible (Salzberg 76). In both stories the
characters had found themselves in bad situations. The characters in these
works have obstacles which they must overcome in order to achieve happiness
(Salzman 34). Happiness is the very substance which all of these
characters are striving for in Salinger's works. Salinger uses religion in
his works to comfort them so that they can proceed on their quest to
achieve happiness.

Salinger uses religion as a means for liberation. Salinger uses much of
the Zen philosophy, as in the case of Nine ...

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were in turmoil (Lundquist 312). The leaders in the story see a
vision on the battlefield that changes them, and stops the war (Lundquist
315). Salinger shows how religion can be a force used to create happiness
in a story, by creating peace (Lundquist 313). Salinger is able to use
religion as a means of attaining happiness through peace. The story seemed
very dismal, until religion intervened and stopped the conflict. Salinger
creates happiness for the characters by stopping the conflict. In "The
Stranger" Salinger creates peace through a war by using more of the Zen
philosophy. Salinger's creates a "Pact of Peace" which stops the conflict
between the Germans and Polish ...

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The Work Of J.D. Salinger. (2008, February 17). Retrieved January 22, 2020, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Work-Of-J-D-Salinger/79188

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 2/17/2008 10:41:59 AM
Category: Biographies
Type: Free Paper
Words: 1938
Pages: 8

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