ore he finally found his niche in a military academy. Salinger served in World War II, and fought in Germany like the narrator in "A Girl I Knew." (http://www.morrill.org). In fact many of his short stories centered around war. Like Holden, he was also the manager of the fencing team. These events all contributed to form his cynical attitude and also served to add to his 'teenage angst' that critics often accuse Holden of expressing. All these connections to Salinger's personal life are not just random coincidences; there is, in fact, validity and a definite purpose to them. "In a letter to a friend, he [Salinger] admits without equivocation that the boy Holden Caulfield is a portrait of himself when young," (J.D.S to Elizabeth Murray, Nov. 2, 1942, Harry Ransom HRC). Salinger lends his voice to Caulfield, supplies it with some rebellious yet innocent outlook, and lets his likes, dislikes and gener
             ...