for the subject matters that he writes.. J.D. Salinger's works were

generally written during two time periods. The first time period was

during World War II, and the second time period was during the 1960's.

Critics feel that the works during the 1960 time period were very

inappropriate, because of the problems for which he wrote. The main

characters were generally misfits of society. In most of his works,

he has the protagonist of the story go on a quest for happiness.

Salinger does not conform to the material happiness; the characters

undergo a spiritual happiness. The characters generally start out as

in bad conditions, through the end of his works they undergone changes

The works of J.D. Salinger show the quest for happiness through

religion, loneliness, and symbolism. Salinger's works often use

religion in order to portray comfort. In Salinger's Nine Stories

Franny Glass keeps reciting the "Jesus Prayer" to cope with the

suicide of her brother Seymour (Bloom in Bryfonski and Senick 69).

Salinger is able to use this prayer as a means of comfort for Franny.

to isolate the characters in his works in order for them to attain

happiness (Grunwald 103). In Salinger's Catcher in the Rye Holden

happiness. Salinger uses religion as a means for liberation. Salinger

to foreshadow a better life. In "Long Debut of Louis Taggett" the

characters (Salzberg 121). Another example of lucky symbols is in

Happiness is the very substance which all of these characters are

in Bloom 58). The ducks represented how he would feel, being happy

how to obtain happiness in life. The writings of the Salinger, become

the Roof Beam High," Salinger is able to use isolation to change the

(French in Matuz 213). Seymour follows the Eightfold path to become

wooden necklace given to him by his mother (Matuz 148). This same

be fulfilled. In Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, Salinger refers

The works of Salinger show the quest for happiness through

the Germans and Polish during WWII (Hamilton in Bryfonski and Senick

"For Esme" Salinger portrays the sun as a lucky symbol to Joseph

Some common words found in the essay are:
Grunwald Bloom, War II, JD Salinger, Bryfonski Senick, Lion Salinger, Curley Kramer, Glass Salzman, Loneliness Salinger's, Rye Grunwald, Salinger Revisited, jd salinger, salinger symbolism, quest happiness, catcher rye, galloway curley kramer, galloway curley, salinger religion, curley kramer, french jd, french jd salinger, nine stories, happiness characters, french salinger revisited, religion loneliness symbolism, quest happiness religion,
Approximate Word count = 2089
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)