Introduction 7
Biographical Sketch 9
The Story Behind the Story 16
List of Characters 21
Summary and Analysis 25
Critical Views 43
Carl F. Strauch on The Complexity of Holden's Character 43
Robert M. Slabey on Christian Themes and Symbols 47
Jonathan Baumbach on Spirituality 50
John M. Howell on T.S. Eliot's Influence 54
Warren French on Holden's Search for Tranquility 60
Duane Edwards on Holden as the Unreliable Narrator 64
Gerald Rosen on the Relevance of Buddhism 69
Edwin Haviland Miller on Mourning Allie Caulfield 74
Christopher Brookeman on Cultural Codes at Pencey Prep 78
Sanford Pinsker on the Protagonist-Narrator 82
Paul Alexander on Inventing Holden Caulfield 86
Pamela Hunt Steinle on Holden as a Version of the American Adam 89
Matt Evertson on Holden Caulfield's Longing to Construct a New Home 94
Yasuhiro Takeuchi on the Carnivalesque 99

Introduction 7
Biographical Sketch 9
The Story Behind the Story 16
List of Characters 21
Summary and Analysis 25
Critical Views 43
Carl F. Strauch on The Complexity of Holden's Character 43
Robert M. Slabey on Christian Themes and Symbols 47
Jonathan Baumbach on Spirituality 50
John M. Howell on T.S. Eliot's Influence 54
Warren French on Holden's Search for Tranquility 60
Duane Edwards on Holden as the Unreliable Narrator 64
Gerald Rosen on the Relevance of Buddhism 69
Edwin Haviland Miller on Mourning Allie Caulfield 74
Christopher Brookeman on Cultural Codes at Pencey Prep 78
Sanford Pinsker on the Protagonist-Narrator 82
Paul Alexander on Inventing Holden Caulfield 86
Pamela Hunt Steinle on Holden as a Version of the American Adam 89
Matt Evertson on Holden Caulfield's Longing to Construct a New Home 94
Yasuhiro Takeuchi on the Carnivalesque 99
Works by J.D. Salinger 106
Annotated Bibliography 107
Contributors 117
Acknowledgments 120
Index 123