Moderator: Ann Astell, University of Notre Dame
Introductory Remarks: Jozef Niewiadomski, University of Innsbruck
Speaker: Susan L. Mizruchi, Boston University
Respondent: William Johnsen, Michigan State University

Susan L. Mizruchi is the author of many publications at the intersection of social, religious, and literary studies. For the Annual Raymund Schwager, S.J. Memorial Lecture, Mizruchi examines the theme of martyrdom in J.D. Salinger’s classic, The Catcher in the Rye. Using examples of the clashes of culture and class in the book, she highlights Holden Caulfield’s concept of himself as a martyr. With his upper class status, cynicism, disaffection from society, and attraction to violence, she notes his similarity to the terrorists captured in recent attacks on the United States.

This event took place as part of the “2010 Colloquium on Violence & Religion - Transforming Violence: Cult, Culture and Acculturation”

At the COV&R conference, scholars from a wide range of disciplines explore questions about violence and their impacts on daily life. What sort of artistic, expressive forms and cultural formations result from the experience of violence?

Recorded Thursday, July 01, 2010 at University of Notre Dame - McKenna Hall Auditorium.