Catcher in the Rye #4

4. When you have completed a text, consider the ending. What ended? Is it an appropriate ending? Predictable? Out of left field?

At the end of this novel, multiple things come to an end. Although the ending is vague and unclear with Holden simply watching his sister, Phoebe, ride a carousel we learn many things about Holden as a character and the novel overall. First off, Holden's long and perilous journey from prep school in the suburbs outside of New York city to his home in Manhatten comes to an end. More importantly though, it seem that Holden's long phase of depression and anxiety is also starting to come to an end. When he takes his sister to the carnival and watches her ride the carousel, we see for the first time that Holden is truly happy. Maybe he finally feels at peace being back in his hometown and being able to see his sister, one of the few people that actually makes him happy. I think that in a sense Holden is having an epiphany and is finally realizing that he has to let go of his childhood and mature as an adult. The story concludes with Holden explaining that he is telling his tale from a mental health home but he refuses to reveal what happened after he and Phoebe left the park. Personally, this wasn't the ending I was looking for because I feel that including his mother's reaction of him returning home early and a dialogue between her and Holden would reveal more about his character and perhaps even why he is so depressed. It does however leave an open interpretation for the readers to decide what happened back home between Holden and his mother. Holden also adds that he plans to apply himself at the next school he attends once he leaves the mental health institution. This leads me to believe that Holden truly did have a change of heart at the end of the story and has accepted that he must grow up. At the end of the story I believe that Holden found himself and now has the motivation to succeed in life.

Catcher in the Rye #3

 Note stylistic devices as you read--diction, syntax, tone, plot structure, figurative language, imagery etc--how is this writer using rhetoric to suit his/her purpose?

In this novel, the story is told through the point of view of the main character Holden. I believe that the tone is the most evident and important stylistic device considering Holden's tone is the tone of the story. Throughout the novel, his tone is very judgmental, cynical and sad. However, other times in the novel Holden's tone seems rather humorous and compassionate. Overall though, his tone is mainly depressing and he often feels the need to point out every thing that makes him feel this way. From people who say "good luck" to hotel lobbies, Holden seems to find a depressing aspect about everything he encounters. He is never optimistic and in one chapter even expresses that he can't even find joy in having money. Calling Holden a negative person would be an understatement at best. Although the overall tone of the novel is depressing and sad, there are a few incidents where we find his tone to be a bit humorous and even compassionate. A great example I found of this was an interaction he had with a prostitute. Holden recalls, " I took her dress over to the closet and hung it up for her. It was funny. It made me feel sort of sad when I hung it up. I thought of her going in a store and buying it, and nobody in the store knowing she was a prostitute and all. The salesman probably just thought she was a regular girl when she bought it. It made me feel sad as hell—I don't know why exactly. (13.52)" This excerpt from the story shows Holden sees through Sunny as a prostitute and goes on to make sarcastic jokes about how she is a bad conversationalist. It shows that Holden sees her as a real person and feels compassion towards her. Ultimately, the tone of the story reveals key aspects of Holden's character and further expresses one of the key themes which is his fear or growing up. His depressing tone is best expression the story offers to show that he truly dreads growing up. The slight humorous and compassionate tone makes him seem almost a childish and shows that he is cherishing the years he has before he becomes what he has always feared to be, a mature adult.

Catcher in the Rye #2

Choose an illuminating or essential quotation from the text for each reading session. Comment on the quotation’s significance to the work as a whole.**

As I have read through this novel there have been many quotations or dialogues that have struck me and made me think. Among these numerous quotes, I believe this one is one of the most significant in this novel...

 “Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”
“Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it.”
"Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game. "

This quote is from a conversation between the main character, Holden, while he is visiting of his old teachers and good friend, Spencer. Holden went over Spencer's house just to visit and catch up with him. They got on the topic of how Holden was failing multiple classes at the prep school he currently attended, so Spencer began to lecture him about the importance of playing by the rules and obeying authority. Holden became angry and annoyed by this lecture and even began to curse under his breath. This is significant because it displays some key aspects of Holden's character. First off, it demonstrates his indifference to adults and how he has trouble relating with them. Secondly, it shows us how alienated Holden really feels and how he relates with those who are on "the other side." It is significant to the work as a whole because it is this scene that reveals how Holden feels victimized and that the world is against him. It is this quote that sheds some light on why Holden has made a psychological barrier that guards him against the complexities of the world. It illuminates one of the key themes of this novel which is Holden's fear of growing up. He feels that as one matures they lose their innocence and creativity. Ultimately, it gives some reason to why Holden is so defiant to his superiors and elders and why he hopes to never grow old.

Catcher in the Rye #1

 Do you identify with the purpose, experience, values expressed in the text? Or if you don’t--what then? How are you connecting to the text?

The novel I am reading is Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. One of the main reasons I was able to enjoy and get into this book is how much I could relate to the main character, Holden Caufield. I would imagine that most other adolescents especially those in high school would be able to relate to Holden. Going to a prep school, Holden often finds himself annoyed and indifferent to many of his classmates. I'm sure we can all identify with Holden in this aspect and may find ourselves in similar situations. Regardless of our background or point of way, I believe we can all take something from Holden's vivid and unique mindset. As Holden gets into trouble at school or shares views that are different to the norms of society, he reminds us of the importance of individual thought and doing what our heart desires. Holden's actions reminds me that we shouldn't let other peoples' opinions affect the way we make decisions or how we live our lives. His lifestyle expresses one of the main values of this novel which is individualism. This is a characteristic that I believe even if it is in the slightest way. I think that kids, especially in our generation, are to quick to follow others and hop on trends. I think it is important to be different in some regards and express ourselves whether it is through the way we dress or the type of music we listen to. Should we believe something is right or wrong just because society or the government tells us? Certainly not, we should do whatever it is our heart desires. I believe Holden is a prime example of this lifestyle. At times he is a bit too judgmental, but this ultimately demonstrates how he thinks "out of the box" and doesn't conform with the norm of society. Overall, I can really appreciate and relate to the idea of individualism in this novel. We are all unique for a reason and we shouldn't always be a follower, or what Holden would call "a phony".