The 1950s

The 1950sAn introduction to The Catcher in the RyeEntertainmentTelevision and FilmIn 1956 the average American child watched 6 hours of televisionThe most popular shows were I Love Lucy, American Bandstand, Dragnet, The Honeymooners, and The Twilight Zone.In 1952 the first 3-D movie Bwana Devil was released in movie theatresI Love Lucy

American Bandstand

The Honeymooners

Music and Teen Idols

Frankie Avalon- If a miss wants to be kissed instead of cuddled, and to this you are in doubt what to say when a girl changes from bobby socks to stockings, then she is old enough to give her heart away.

A-well-a Splish Splash, I forgot about the bath I went and put my dancin shoes on, yahBobby Darin

And they call it puppy love just because were 17. Tell them all, oh, please tell them it isnt fair to take away my only dream.Paul Anka

Toys1949-Silly Putty and Lego's1954- Matchbox Cars1957- Hula Hoops1959- Barbie Doll

PoliticsCivil Rights1954 Brown vs. Board of Education ended segregation in public schoolsThe Cold WarA military conflict with no actual violenceDiplomatic struggles between the US and a group of nations led by the Soviet UnionFear of communismKorean War- ended in a truce with the current borderBy-product of the Cold War1950 North Korea invaded South Korea157,530 US casualties 1.3 mil. KoreanFashionAs the 50s continued, the average lifestyle improved steadilyAfter years of rationing, Americans were ready for lavish designs

Mens formal and informal wear was very plain and basicWomens evening wear was extravagantDaytime wear was elegant and simple After the warWomen vs. menDay wear for men and women

Evening wear for men and women

J.D. Salinger 1919-2010Jerome David Salinger was born in New York City on Jan. 1st, 1919.He had one sister, Doris, who was six years his senior.His father was Jewish and his mother was Christian, so theology was never emphasized in his home.

His educational career was mediocre.He attended the McBurney School, but flunked out and was sent to the Valley Forge Military Academy in PA.While he was there, he became interested in writing.J.D. Salinger He briefly attended Ursinus College where he wrote a humorous column for the school newspaper.His father took him out of college go to Vienna to learn the ham business as an apprentice.When he returned to New York, he enrolled in a short-story writing class at Columbia University.He was first published in The New Yorker in 1940.In 1942, he was drafted in to the army. He was discharged in 1946.The Catcher in the Rye, Salingers only novel, was published in 1951.He published collections of short stories in 1953, 1961, and 1963.J.D. SalingerUpon his return from the army, he turned to oriental philosophy and began to follow the principals of Zen Buddhism.He ultimately became a devoted student of Advaita Vendanta Hinduism which preaches the concept of the four stages of life: devotion to studies, household duties, meditation in the forest, and spirituallity.In 1953, he met and married Claire Douglass.They had two children, Matthew and Peggy.Salinger settled in the Cornish Hills in New Hampshire and lived in almost total seclusion until his death.Religion and philosophyFamilyWrite a reflection at the bottom of your Cornell notes. What is one thing you already knew? What are two new things you learned? What questions do you have now?J.D. Salinger