pop+culture

Mark David Chapmen ended up shooting John Lenon in response to the catcher in the rye. This is a good example of pop culture. Mark wanted to change his name to holden Caufield and was found with a copy of the book in his possession. Mark wanted lennon's innocence to be preserved with death because Holden had a wish to preserve children's innocence even though he realizes that children should be left alone. There are many instances where murders have been committed and the book was found in their possssron. This led to the conspiracy theory that noted that murderers were brainwashed with an urge to buy the book. Another example of this was when John Hinckley attempted the assasination of Ronald Reagan and the book was also found. In 1989 Robert John Bardo murdered Rebecca Schaeffer. The book was also referenced to in many movies. Some of these movies include the conspiracy theory (1997), Rushmore(1998), and cruel intentions 2 (2000) among other titles. In the conspiracy theory Mel Gibson is programmed to buy the book whenever he sees it even though he has never actually read it. In Rushmore Max Fischer (main character) is based off Holden's character and holds similar interests and characteristics. In Cruel intentions 2 Sebastian remarks that the book ruined him. References to Holden are also made in popular shows such as family guy and criminal minds. In family guy, peter is harassed by a character who constantly calls him a "big phony" and in the credits this character is recognized as Holden. In criminal minds two characters plan a murder and communicate with two names that they took from the book. Even video games are found using references. In the game Postal 2 you have to bring a book back to the library called "catch her in the eye". The book is obviously well known with varying opinions on it.