M.A.Thesis On The Intertextuality As Observed In The Catcher In The Rye

The theory of intertextuality is a new kind of text theory of recent emergence. It was first proposed by the famous French literary theorist and semiologist Julia Kristeva who insists that "Any text is constructed as a mosaic of quotations; any text is the absorption and transformation of another" in her Semiotics. With the constant study by other scholars on intertextuality, the concept of intertextuality is developing fast. In general, intertextuality can be mainly classified into two perspectives:One is that "intertextuality is defined as a particular text and its references, rewritten, absorption, expansion, or, in general, to transform the relationship between the other texts, and the basis for this relationship is possible to understand the text". The other is that "Any text is an intertext. One text can be recognized more or less in another text, such as the text of the former culture and nearby culture. Any text is the reorganization of the past text".Jerome David Salinger is a famous American writer in the 20th century. His masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye is one of the most classical works of American literature. Through the description of the three-day wandering in New York by the protagonist Holden, the novel has revealed that after World War Ⅱ, American people are in a state of desperateness and emptiness, facing the spiritual crisis. Based on the theory of intertextuality, this thesis will interpret the novel in both its broad sense and narrow sense. The author of this thesis first introduces Salinger’s life, his literary achievements, followed by the objective, significance and methodology in connection with the present thesis.Then the author will introduce the study on The Catcher in the Rye and the applications of the theory of intertextuality both in and outside of China in order to lay a solid foundation for the present thesis. After a general introduction to the theory of intertextuality, the author will explore the influence of the historical and cultural elements on the composition of The Catcher in the Rye from its broad sense. The author will further analyze the application of allusion as a kind of the intertextual devices of the novel on the basis of Genett’s explanation of the intertextuality from its narrow sense. The thesis shows that as intertext, the historical and cultural elements are very important to the composition of The Catcher in the Rye. They have deeply influenced the theme, the writing techniques and ideological inclination of the novel. The analysis of the intertextual device in the novel will further enrich and complement the content and background of the novel. The intertextual reading of The Catcher in the Rye not only deepens readers’understanding of its practical significance and cultural connotation, but also helps to highlight its artistry and aesthetic value.