Modern+Connections

PATRICK AND JAIME Salinger mentions a number of other authors and famous literary characters in __The Catcher in the Rye__, for example Isak Dinesen's __Out of Africa, **Somerset Maughm's Of Human Bondage**__, Emily Dickinson, Ring Lardner and Gatsby. Write a brief summary of each author, character or novel mentioned and a reason why Salinger may have included them in the book. Do these authors tell us something about Holden? The title of this novel is taken from a poem. Why? What is the significance of this poem? Why do you think Salinger used this? Feel free to look at other sources written about this question and link it to your page of the wiki.

"Comin Thro the Rye," a poem by Robert Burns is one of his best known poems thanks to Holden's misconception of it in //"The Catcher in the Rye//". He talks of his dreams about how he's the "catcher in the rye," rescuing children. The reference in //The Catcher in the Rye// has alerted writers to look into the sources. Below, I have posted the Original and Modern Translation of Robert Burn's Poem. In addition to Jaime's post, i had read online a theory of why perhaps Holden is so fond of the poem. It was because as Jaime had said " Holden's misconception of it," that this, in a way symbolized Holden's imperfections, although all he wishes to do is save children from "falling."

Comin Thro' The Rye. Chorus. O Jenny's a' weet, poor body, Jenny's seldom dry: She draigl't a' her petticoatie, Comin thro' the rye! 1. Comin thro' the rye, poor body, Comin thro' the rye, She draigl't a' her petticoatie, Comin thro' the rye! 2. Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry? 3. Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the glen, Gin a body kiss a body, Need the warld ken? 4. Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the grain, Gin a body kiss a body, The thing's a body's ain. Coming Through The Rye. Chorus. O Jenny is all wet, poor body, Jenny is seldom dry: She draggled all her petticoats, Coming through the rye! Coming through the rye, poor body, Coming through the rye, She draggled all her petticoats, Coming through the rye! Should a body meet a body Coming through the rye, Should a body kiss a body, Need a body cry? Should a body meet a body Coming through the glen, Should a body kiss a body, Need the world know? Should a body meet a body Coming through the grain, Should a body kiss a body, The thing is a body's own.

__**Isak Dinesen's: Out of Africa**__

 __**Somerset Maughm's: Of Human Bondage**__ 

__**Emily Dickinson



Ring Lardner**__ Born March 6, 1885 and passing on September 25, 1933, Ring Lardner: an American sports editor and short story writer best known for his pungent takes on the sports world, marriage, and even theatre.  __**

The Great Gatsby**__ I think Salinger mentioned this book because as a reader you can try to compare the main character's of both stories. You can compare Holden to Jay Gatsby. They both represent the American youth rebel with the way they criticize and analyze their society and the conditions they live in. They are not completely the same but as you read the story you can make a better generalization of Holden if you know about Jay Gatsby.