n interdisciplinary social science at James Madison University and a Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Undoubtedly Nace was up for the task. Ironically, about six months ago I discovered that somehow Nace was deprived during high school and had never studied Salinger's most famous work, The Catcher in the Rye. Because it is my favorite book I strongly urged him to read it. After taking up my offer, Nace, like myself, fell in love with the novel and for a good three weeks it was the topic of nearly all of our conversations. So as I sat down in front of my computer to conduct my online interview, I expected an enlightening experience. I was not surprised. There is no doubt that The Catcher in the Rye had a huge effect on the generation that embraced it, so I began by questioning Nace about what he thought could have caused such an effect on our generation and the generation of the Fifties. Almost instantaneously Nace replied that Salinger identified a need, the need for acceptance and love that seemed absent to this generation that lacked a real family and the unconditional love that such a family would bring. What Salinger did was make the story much like reality with even the popular people struggling for meaning and love. Through these characters, Salinger conveyed his messages. Each character represented a message. Through the eyes of the main character, Holden Caulfield, the reader is meets Sally Hayes, a beautiful girl who represents the shallowness of society and with Robert Ackley, the class nerd, who embodies the equality Salinger advocates amongst the different classes of society. Another character technique of Salinger's is the incorporation of children into each of his stories. Holden's little sister, Pheobe, is an ancient soul of six years and perfectly demonstrates childhood innocence. Salinger, then, uses his child figures to deomonstate how innocence is lost in the hassle of everyday life. Nace goes on ...
