The Catcher in the Rye

the day Allie died?

i have loved the catcher in the rye since the first time i read it (7 yrs ago), but something occured to me recently that i had never thought about; the date of Allie's death. july 18, 1946. i wonder if it had and significance to salinger, does anyone know if this date has meaning or if salinger just chose a day at random?

any thoughts are appreciated!!

thanks.

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Last updated by jdbf e #84091
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Gee, I don't know on that one.

The day that Allie died shows the loss of innocence in Holden's world. (Allie=Innocence)

Because of this Holden wants to be a "Universal Janitor" cleaning up Experience.

Holden wants to be a Catcher in the Rye by saving the children from falling of the cliff in the rye field to help clean the world from experience. (opposite of innocence)