A:

in response to question number five, i believe the reason Holden was able to give his approval was because he could in a way relate to Allie and James Castles because of several reasons. the first thing is both of these people weren't necessarily as "phoinie as the other people in Holdens life. by not as phoinie i mean they were comfortable with being themselfs and saying what they meant as we learn from Holden's memories with Allie's baseball glove and the initial reason James jumped out of his window. Holden hates people who don't tell the truth or butter peole up, or over use words, so speaking ones mind is obivously a trait he would like. But Holden is the worlds best lier and constantly says something way different from what he is thinking so i think he is able to like these boys because they also acomplished what he isn't. the next reason why i believe Holden was able to relate to Allie and James is their youth. Holden has a rather negative perspective of the adult world despite his attempts to act older. i think he considers his brother a better person because he never had the oppurtunity to allow money and mature topics and harsh realities "corrupt" him.

Questions

Close ended - How did Phoebe react to the broken record?

Open ended - Why does Holden continually leave after he finds a place to stay?

World connection - Does Holden act like a typical older brother when he's with Phoebe?

Universal theme - What is the significance of the hunting hat? And why did Holden give it to Phoebe?

Literary Analysis - Why does Holden only seem to give his approval to those who have died?

Letter

Dear school persons,

Recently it has come to attention that J.D Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is not appropriate reading material for the children attending Northern University. Parents and teachers have found several reasons why this book is a negative influance on students. To name a few it portrays an anti-eduacation and an anti-religion out look on life. This book also uses vulgar language. However while this book does include some mature topics it should not be banned from our school. The first problem is how the main character Holden is not a good student, and doesn't try in school, for example : "They Kicked me out. I wasn't supposed to come back after Chirstmas vacation on account of i was flunking four subjects and not applying myself and all." It's ture that Holden isn't trying in school but that doesn't mean this book promotes doing bad in school. Even Holden the flunkie finds value in the process of getting an education. for example : "I don't get hardly anything out of anything. I'm in bad shape. I'm in lousy shape." Through out the book we never hear Holden say anything bad about education, we hear him say bad things about the people in charge of institutions or the people attending Pency. Holden is anti-cliques not anti-school. Holden empathizes his views in his conversation with Sally. He is not proud of doing bad in school and the way he viewshimself - lousy shape- does not glamorize getting a bad education. The second problem was Holden's views on religion. Holden claims to be an atheist and he finds problems with nosy catholics and ministers. He even says : " Take the disiples for instance they annoy the hell out of me..." So Holden doesn't get into the whole church experiance but like education Holden doesn't find any thing wrong with the idea. in fact he does say :" I like Jesus and all..." Holden doesn't promote god is evil instead he is pretty open to the idea of a god and he even likes Jesus and the Bible it's once again people involved that he has a problem with. the last big issue is the use of the F word. But from reading the text while it is used it is not directed at anyone person and it has a negative impact on Holden. "It drove me damn near crazy." instead of laughing or not caring Holden is disgusted someone would write it on a school wall. He is concerned about what he kids would do if the saw it and even imagins beating the bum who wrote it. And most importanly in the end he wipes it off so no one else has to see. In the end While The Catcher in the rye does show a more negative look at life and contains many issues it also does not glamorize the mistakes the main character makes and instead gives perspective to problems many teens are faced with today. This is a great book and it should not be banned from Northern University.

marriage?

when i was little i had a big imagination

whenever i heard that word my mind exploded

visions of freash picked lilies and glowing stain glassed windows

appeared before my eyes

the touch of polished pews and glossy white satin

reached my finger tips

i would creep down the hall and

like a fox

i'd slink into my mothers closet

there was a pair of black high heels in the corner

her best shoes

i'd grab them quickly

and race back to my room

after crowding every stuffed animal

onto my bed

i'd grab my shiniest plastic jewlery

slip my tiny feet into those big black pumps

and i'd twirl,

to the best of my abilities,

around my room i spun

pretending i was a new bride

now when i hear the word marriage

things are

different

i still think of lilies and white satin gowns

i still feel it's a distant fariy tale

but i no longer feel

it's a sure fire "happily ever after"

the bigger you get

the more you worry

the more you pounder

everything that could go wrong

and if that one special moment

is worth all the trouble?

Relationships

From what we've read so far i have formed a few theroies concerning Holden and his relationships with peole in general and people he truly cares about. The main theme that comes in to play with Holden's relationships is his self alienation. Holden never feels connected to the people around him despite his small efforts, for example the prostitue Sunny. So far the only people Holden seems to have had a good relationship with were his brother Allie, his frend Jane, and his little sister. perhaps Allie's death made it harder for Holden to get close to people but reguardless it's pretty clear that Holden craves compaionship in some form. But he hasn't found it yet, instead he is continually meeting people and then pushing them away. This continued failure to find an understanding with someone only adds to his depression. So why does he sabatoge his chances of makeing a real friend? I personally think it's the unpredictability involved in relationships that is keeping Holden at bay. After Allie's death Holden was crushed. No one expected his dear kid brother to die and i think Holden feels if gets to close to someone else there may be a possiablity of disaster striking again. There is no way Holden mentally can deal with the same or similar situation so he cuts himself off.

Religion

In the latest chapters we got a glimpse of Holden's views on Religion. Holden talks about religion first when he feels like praying but can't seem to find the energy to follow the instinct, and then later when Holden shares breakfast and conversation with the two nuns. The way religion ( Catholic ) was written about was very interesting because it didn't seem like Holden percived it as bad. I honestly think Holden views religion the same as he views school. For staters he doesn't seem to really care for either of them and they don't seem to have to big of an impact on his life. However he never out right says they are corrupt or evil or should be stripped from society. And the reason i think he never says thoose things is because the nature, the purpose of these two things do have value, which Holden can see, but Holden won't take part in them because they have been ruined or changed by people and institutions from some ideal experiance to a very human one easily impacted by things like money. It might be my imagination but i think Holden holds money responsible for the social barriers religion can build up, take for example his conversation with tennisboy, the entire mood of their conversation changed because of religion. Holden doen't like people who pretend to be better or think higher of themselfs so with all the christian stereotypes i can see why Holden has a problem with religion. the reason i think it was included in the book is because no one really takes the time to think about how money and other stuff have the power to effect so many different things today. The fact that it is able to influance one of our "purest" beliefs is proof enough.

authority

Does Holden have a lot of respect for authority, NO. He makes his thoughts on his teachers, his deans, even the touchyness of his parents known and he stats most of it in a negative way. In my book failing one class is bad but failing four with two private boarding school expulsions on top. . . wow. but heres the thing about Holden he doesn't care. He sees so many problems and short comings with the education system he won't even try to be a part of it. which is normal for all types of people. if we strongly disagree with how some thing opperates we don't strive to participate heck we even protest. and Holden's complete lack of motivation is his own silent protest. Holden coule sum it up with it's not right, why try, who cares. these attitudes are shared in schools today as well. there are always certain people who don't try because they believe school is boring or a big waste of time. Everyone can spot these students from a mile away but what about the people who come more for there parents? people who do the bare minimum to pass? people who cheat? These people come to school sit in class and don't show case any rebellious actions towards society. they don't disrespect authority. they may think like Holden but they play the game anyway.

Child vs Adult

Through out the last three chapters we began to see more of the real Holden. Based off of events in the book thus far it is really difficult to classify Holden as entirly a child or an adult because he demonstes many charateristics of both. The amount of freedom Holden has, being able to take care of himself in New York with out his parents knowledge, is huge compared to the amount of freedom sixteen year olds recieve in most cases. Having so much freedom has helped Holden gain some sense concerning reality, the imperfections of life. While on the other hand Holden's pathetic line of insults at Stradlater followed by the multiple bad choices he makes in the city showcase his immaturity. From his recent actions, flirting with women, smoking, atempting to obtain alcohal, ect coud led people to believe he wants to grow up faster. However i don't think Holden wants to grow up at all. When looking back at what we've read so far every adult or organization run by adults Holden has been able to find some pproblem with (phony). In fact the only people in the book he has nothing bad to say about are his little brother Allie, his little sister Phobe, and his once good friend Jane. This shows Holden views childhood in a positive light and adulthood in a negative light. One reason could be loss of innocence. I think Holden believes the world of adulthood is a tainted place and prefers the carefree world of kids. However after Allie's death Holden changed in a lot of ways and all of his searching led him to question if he still contains own innocence once hes suffered such a tragic event. His own self doubt in the matter is part of what drives him to protect thoose he knows that are innocent like Jane from Strdalater. But then i have a question for Holden; if Holden atempts to act older and displays some knowledge beyond his years does it make his desire to protect the ignorance of kiddies an ironic one?

The Empty Half of the Glass

Of the three given choices i would have pass judgment on Holden. my initial thought on this character was wow he is a really lazy person. Despite his obivious intelligence Holden has managed to flunk out of a very expensive school simply because he did not feel the need to apply himself. this isn't even the first school he was kicked out of or left in Elkton Hills so it shows a repetitive pattern. while i can understand based off the small glimpse of his personality that Holden finds many faults with not just this school but schools in general and is therefore unwilling to conform to fit in a socital enviorment he doesn't agree with, i am a person who can not stand people that blow off work or education because they don't care enough to try. Holden seems like someone that would get on my nerves in reality. he is also pretty selfish, not only for wateing all of this money on education but his thoughts. Holden cares for Mr. Spencer and he even takes the time to go say good bye to him but as Mr. Spencer is trying to reach Holden and give him advice that was actually useful Holden says what he thinks Mr. Spencer wants to hear and lets his mind wonder or even critize the man which is pretty rude. Holden in a way alienates himself from other people by standing on that hill during the big game and trying to read when Ackley came in to talk. however i understand how annoying it can be when someone (you don't like) trys to strike up a conversation when you're in the middle of a good read. Holden has some very strong believes that i can also see; he is able to spot all of the hypocrsy in people and feel upset but still even with his hate of fakes and phonies he still acts polite (compared to his thoughts) to Ackley when he visits and doesn't speak his mind either so is he to a hypocrite? the last big problem i found with Holden was his angst ridden state of mind. he mentions his crumy childhood, how bad school is, he belittles his own brothers success and gos on about the empty half of the glass.

Have you ever felt unwanted?

like no one hears you?

I have.

Have you ever felt so disconnected from the people around you?

your surrounded by there cheerful laughter unable to join in.

I have.

Have you everfelt truly alone?

if you were to disappear tomorrow no one notice or even care.

I have.

Everyone knows what it's like to be that extra kid without a partner or the last person to be chosen for kick ball. Nobody enjoys feeling rejected. Still at some point in life everyone needs to experiance it. But imagine feeling that rejection on a daily bais. To me this drawing po rtrays what adolescent alienation is. The person is clinging to them self in a dark corner which represents several things. It could represent all of the dark areas we visit in our minds while experiancing something hurtful. Notice now that the white is fading into the dark the closer it gets to the center the blacker it becomes. This shows how alone a person can feel as well as the feeling of loss from human connections because the world is in the white while he is sitting in the dark. Talking, laughting, even crying are normal. It's in our nature to share our thoughts and emotions with those around us and being cut out for expressing said emotions can make a person scared to open up in the future. The contrast between the white and black could represent how alienation is not just societys fault. Some people isolate themselfs if they feel misunderstood or are lost and looking for a purpose. But why this person? It could be there choice;but they could be seperated because of their different ideas, ideals, lifestyles, or apperances. Take the stripes for example, i think they mean this person freely being themselves, showing the world who they are and once society sees them as something out of the norm they begin feeling afraid and closed off. They turn away from society just as this person is turning his body away from the viewer.

What does it mean to be alienated or separated from others?

Media Project

for my media project i'm creating a Cd that contains a theme song for each of the main characters as well as several songs describing aspects of the American dream for example materialism and appearance. after i have the Cd made i plan on writing around a page for ten of my songs connecting them to both Death of a Salesman and my own perspective of the American dream based off this unit as well as examine lyrics and explain why i chose this song for my sonundtrack. i have an idea of how to create and desighn my cover and back for the Cd case and will start on them shortly.