USA: Writers; Catcher in the Rye Revisited. Part 2

National Educational Television and Radio Center · May 29, 1966

This is the second of a two-episode look at a novel that has been called the most influential work of contemporary fiction since World War II. Dr. James E. Miller, professor of English at the University of Chicago leads an in-depth discussion in seminar on J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye." Dr. Miller, who is an authority on Salinger and author of an important monograph on him, widely used in college classrooms, is joined in the discussion by four graduate students from Chicago University's Department of English. They consider not only the book's literary merits and lasting power, but also it sociological pertinence fifteen years after publication. J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" has earned itself an unwavering reputation as one of the most important works of contemporary fiction since World War II. Equaling its literary excellence is its continuing emotional significance for American youth, who identify with the fears, hostilities, joys and agonies of its young hero, Holden Caulfield. In this episode the students discuss the book's staying power, and more of the themes within it which so have obviously touched young America. In addition, novelist John Updike comments on "The Catcher." Virgilia (c.q.) Peterson, writing in the New York Herald Tribune, thought it would be "interesting and enlightening to know what Holden Caufield contemporaries, male and female, thinks of him. "Their opinion," she said, "would constitute the real test of Mr. Salinger's validity." NET agreeing, hopes that these two episodes with their young participants will provoke and stimulate a nationwide evaluation of "The Catcher in the Rye." Participating with Dr. Miller are students Robert Drexler, Wayne Fields, Rosemary Anne Munch, and Gilbert Schedler, and Roy London who reads from "The Catcher in the Rye" to illustrate and emphasize points made in the discussion. USA: Writers - "The Catcher in the Rye" Revisited is a production of National Educational Television with the facilities of WTTW, Chicago. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche) USA: Writers is part of an assessment of the state of the literary arts in the United States, which concentrates on contemporary prose writers across many genres. The half-hour episodes that comprise the series were originally recorded on videotape.