NP: Catcher in the Rye

[Tim Strzechowski]

The night he assassinated John Lennon, Mark David Chapman had earlier "run
into" Lennon outside his Manhatten apartment building and requested the
former Beatle autograph Chapman's copy of _Double Fantasy_.

When Chapman was first apprehended by police, a copy of the Salinger novel
was found in his pocket.  When later questioned by authorities for his
motive for shooting Lennon, Chapman said, "You'll find the answer in [The
Catcher in the Rye]."  Shortly thereafter, several people connected with the
case suggested that Chapman had probably associated John Lennon with the
many "phonies" against whom Holden rails throughout the novel, especially
given Lennon's strong political views and pop icon success. (Note Holden's
description of Ernie, the piano player).

I have several articles on file dealing with this very subject, Cat, if
you're interested . . . though much of it has to do with Chapman/Lennon.
Contact me offlist if you'd like to discuss this.

Thanks,

Tim

Paul Mackin wrote:

> That kind of tie in would certainly be an interesting addition to a paper
on
> this famous book. It may be that the connection to the John Lennon
> assassination by Mark David Chapman was purely the result of the fact that
the
> title of the book (based  as I recall on a misshearing by Holden Caufield
of
> the song "Coming through the Rye") happened to rhyme with "John Lennon
must
> die."  Has it been claimed that other ideas presented in the book somehow
> advocated assassinating American cult heros? I still have a copy here and
> perhaps will reread it.
>
> P.
>
>