The Catcher in the Rye: Disability Informed Reading Guide

The Catcher in the Rye: Disability Informed Reading Guide PDF

Many commonly taught books and stories that feature disabled characters and/or themes related to disability include portrayals that can be confusing, stereotyped, or unintentionally harmful. Our disability informed reading guides help educators navigate these texts with care. These resources are not endorsements of the books themselves, but tools to support thoughtful conversations, offer important context, and encourage more inclusive, accurate discussions about disability. Like all of our resources, they’re designed to help classrooms be places where all students feel respected and represented.

J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye includes dated and stereotypical portrayals of mental health and mental illnesses. Many readers have inferred that Holden Caulfield is coping with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).