There are writers whose life is no less interesting than their work. These include Jerome Salinger, whose biography is full of events. This is a philosophical search for himself, the study of many sciences, World War II, service in intelligence, homecoming and recognition for stories and the only published novel.
You can make a movie about him. Only now the writer has forbidden to do this, as well as to film his books. Why this happened, you will learn from our article.
The most mysterious writer of the century
Jerome David Salinger is known not only for his works, but also for his secluded lifestyle, which has generated many myths and conjectures around him. At the peak of fame, the author suddenly stops publishing his books. At the same time, he does not stop writing, and besides, he almost completely limits communication with the press and critics. Readers no more favors; Salinger also stops giving autographs.
There were legends about his voluntary hermitage. And in one of the interviews, the American film actor Nicolas Cage told how one of the tests entrusted to him by his beloved girl, whose favor he persistently sought, was to get an autograph of this famous writer. The movie star claims that he managed to get the coveted signature. But to many readers and Salinger fans, luck never smiled.
Life path
Jerome David Salinger was born on the first day of 1919 in New York (United States of America) in a Jewish family. His father was a merchant, and the family lived quite well off. Mother had Scottish and Irish roots. Even at a young age, the writer took the first steps in writing. His stories were brief, but even then quite capacious.
In 1936, Salinger (whose biography has many controversial points) received a diploma from a closed military school. During his studies, he wrote several lines for the anthem of this institution, which are still included in its official version. Further, Salinger was waiting for her studies at New York University and practice in Europe.
Upon his return, he enters Columbia University, where he listens to lectures on prose and short stories. But David was interested in studying only in such separate courses. He did not graduate from any of the universities and could not make a career. This became a stumbling block with his father, who had high hopes for his son. As a result, after another family scandal, they turned away from each other forever.
World War II in the life of a writer
Salinger, whose biography is permeated by the influence of World War II, could not stay away from the events. He decided that his place was at the front, and struggled for a long time for the opportunity to get there, because of health reasons he was released from conscription.
In 1943, with the rank of sergeant, the writer fell into the counterintelligence department. Being in the hottest spots, Salinger, whose biography will be strewn with memories of the war more than once, will write in his diary, and later in letters to relatives, that he correctly understood his mission and his place here. He recognized the correctness and value of his stay in the very heat of war, took part in the release of prisoners from concentration camps, was in reconnaissance, but the experience hurt him forever, closed him off from others, which later resulted in his reclusive life.
Confession
Returning home, the writer Salinger gains the fame of a recognized novelist. His story, "A good banana fish," is heard on the lips of all critics and literature lovers. In the mid-forties, many of his magazines published his short stories and short stories. The themes of his works are painful memories of the war, of wounds that cannot be healed, of what he sees that will never be forgotten.
The recognition of the writer will reach its peak after the publication in 1951 of the novel "The Catcher in the Rye." The genre of the work will be called "education-upbringing." This creation was sold out in an unprecedented amount - more than 60 million copies.
At the peak of fame and recognition, Salinger suddenly ceases to publish his works and in 1965 closes himself from the world. He no longer gives interviews and autographs. The reason for this behavior is still a mystery to biographers, and even to many of the writer’s acquaintances.
The great novelist died at the age of 91 in his gated mansion in New Hampshire.
Creation. Short review
Salinger's work consists mainly of short stories and short stories. The only novel written and published by the author is The Catcher in the Rye.
Salinger created stories on a fairly broad topic, which changed along with the writer's worldview. But the main idea is one - the meaning of life, broken dreams and a philosophical search for oneself. The heroes of most of the short stories are children, adolescents and people in search of the purpose of life. Such images give the writer the most vivid and capacious way to reveal his thoughts and show the reader the results of his philosophical thoughts.
Noteworthy is the story of the writer "The man who laughed." It contains a story about a student who taught children, while telling them amazing stories about a noble robber - the Man who laughed. The guy John tells with inspiration, because he is helped by a very beautiful and kind girl, Mary. It turns out that she is the daughter of noble and wealthy parents who are against her relationship with a simple student. When Mary nevertheless is forced to part with John, he tells a story in which his hero is defeated, and soon dies himself. The story condemns social inequality that destroys the lives of better people.
"Over Abyss in the Rye"
This greatest novel almost immediately found many readers around the world. Nevertheless, critics ambiguously reacted to the work, accusing the writer of depressive motives. For more vivid, subtle characteristics of the characters and everything that happens in the novel, swear words are used, which led to the ban on the release of the work in some states. Now it is part of school literature programs around the world.
Salinger, whose novels were closed for publication by himself, forbade the adaptation of his work when it was discussed in the 80-90s. The main argument was that the events of the work take place in the soul of the protagonist, so it’s almost impossible to show it the way the author saw and created it.
The novel tells the story of the boy Holden Caulfield. Nobody understands him, and he himself hardly accepts his surroundings. He is growing up, and in this growing up, his dreams and ideals are monstrously crumbling to dust. The novel bears such a strange name because Caulfield has a dream in his mind - to catch children over the abyss, when they, after playing, become in danger. This is a rather symbolic association. Most likely, Holden wants to help children save their childhood in their cheerfulness and openness to a world where dreams are not broken forever. The original title of The Catcher in the Rye is translated as Catcher in the Rye.
Quotes and aphorisms
The mysterious writer has left us not only the greatest literary heritage, but also many aphorisms. This is because he was a true master of the Salinger pen. We will quote the most striking and recognizable ones:
- "Because a person has died, you can’t stop loving him, damn it! Especially if he was better than all the living, you know?" - in the voice of his hero of the novel "Over the Catcher in the Rye" the writer will pronounce the truth, full of pain and truth.
- "But such books fascinate me that as you read them to the end, you will immediately think: it would be nice if this writer became your best friend, and so you could talk to him." This is what Holden Caulfield will say, and it's hard to disagree with him.
- "We need to give a person a chance to talk, since he began to tell interestingly and got carried away. I love it when a person talks with enthusiasm. That's good." These words also belong to Caulfield.
- "An immature person wants to die for his cause, and a mature person wants to live for a just cause."
Finally
To read or not to read is everyone's business. But, staying away from the classics of world literature, you are depriving yourself of the pleasure of learning completely new worlds. So, Salinger's stories are completely integral microcosms of his heroes. Searches and disappointments, life and real disasters in their souls will not leave you indifferent, enrich the inner world and help you better know yourself.