Abstract:As a prominent writer in the history of American literature，Salinger had left behind far-reaching influence on the world with his masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye. More than 30 years after its publication, The Catcher in the Rye has already been considered as one of the two “modern classics” in contemporary American literature in American literary circles. The novel reflects the Beat Generation’s dissatisfactions about reality, their feeling at loss in the adult world, their longing for true love, and their frustrations when their pursuits are denied, in the post-war era. Holden is a typical boy of that era. He struggles with the adult world painfully, and eventually has to compromise with the reality.

This paper introduces the author and his productions and background firstly, and then combines the American Dream with two themes, escape and quest. From the aspects of literature study, this novel continues the theme of the western literary tradition. The paper analyzes the cause, ways and result of Holden’s escape and his quest for faithful relation between people and so on specifically. Based on previous research results, this paper discusses deeply the creative angles of western literature after WWII. From a social sense, the novel reveals a lot of social problems, such as the spiritual emptiness under a highly material world, and the indifference and alienation of modern society. This paper is to explore the social causes of mental wasteland after WWII in the United States. 

Keywords:  escape  quest  American Dream  Beat Generation

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Introduction of J.D. Salinger-1

1.2 Introduction to The Catcher in the Rye and Literature Review-2

1.3 Introduction to this Thesis-2

Chapter Two Major Spirits that Background the Novel-4

2.1 The Disillusion of American Dream-4

2.2 The Beat Generation-4

Chapter Three The Escape of Holden-6

3.1 The Themes of Escapism and Quest in Western Culture-6

3.2 The Catcher in the Rye as a Story of Escape and Quest-6

3.3 The Cause of the Escape-6

3.3.1 Escape from the Wasteland-6

3.3.2 Escape from Modern Civilization-7

3.3.3 Escape from an Obscene but Good Society-7

3.3.4 Escape from a World of Alienation-7

3.4 The Ways of the Escape-8

3.5 The Result of the Escape-9

Chapter Four The Quest of Holden-10

4.1 Quest for Faithful Relation between people-10

4.2 Quest for Self-identity-10

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

References-13