Friday, November 13, 2009
EXTENSION - SESSION 2
In what ways can you relate to Holden and/or to the story he's telling. Have you known characters like Ackley or Stradleater? Have you ever told elaborate lies just for the fun of it? Try to make connections with your own life, with the world, or with other literature you have read.
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I think many people have come across people like Ackley and Stradlater, especially Stradlater. He is very conceited and all about himself, which seems to be a common thing in society today. While reading the conversation between he and Holden, I felt bad for Holden. Holden seems to be quite shy, he is very nervous to even go and say hi to Jane, and Stradlater can see he's nervous but doesn't seem to care. It reminds me of myself a little bit, sometimes I can be shy about talking to certain people.
ReplyDeleteIn this story Ackley is portrayed as the classic nerd. He is unsanitary and does not care, he smells and has bad acne. He also is annoying, seemingly on purpose and hates everyone just because. Stradlater is supposed to be the ladies' man. I would say jock but up to this point it doesnt say he plays any sports. He knows how to sweet talk women though, and is quite handsome. Both of these characters seems like regular stereotypes and it disappoints me that up to this point in the book Holden is the only character with any depth. All the other characters we are introduced to are all one-dimensial and seem to offer nothing more than what we initially see on the outside.
ReplyDeleteAdam, that's a really interesting point, & I agree that it's sort of disappointing to see such flat characters. But I think the reason they look so one-dimensional is because we're seeing them through Holden's eyes. His negative outlook, especially on other people, has him depicting others in very vague, stereo-typical ways. & being that this story is being told by him, that's how we're lead to see them, too.
ReplyDeleteI guess that just goes to show how hearing about someone from a different person's point of view, & actually knowing a person yourself, can make all the difference. Which seems to be a common issue with many people in society these days.
I agree completely. Holden just places them in sterotypical categories as he see's them as "phonies" and not people with real depth.
ReplyDeleteNearly everyone in our age group can, in one way or another, relate to Holden. The way he narates makes him somewhat twofaced. Most of us have at one point put up a facade infront of others, and when by ourselves we are totally differant people. Like it or not, we all have a little bit of Holden in us.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I think Holden views everyone as "phonies" and places them in sterotypical categories is because he has been moving around so much in his life. By stereotyping he has slightly dehumanized them in a way so it is easier to just pack up and leave like he has done in the book. He doesn't feel a personal connection with these people because he sees many of them in the same way (as "phonies") so it isn't so hard leave them all behind when he has to leave.
ReplyDeleteI think Holden's character can relate to everyone in some small way. He seems to be passionate about some select things in his life, such as his brother, and sister, which he both describes in great detail within different parts of the book. Though, he does also seem to be quite passive about other things in his life, such as school, and grades.
ReplyDeleteThis could simply be that Holden is either simply immature (which he does admit to in the book) or does not have his priorities as straight as they should be. Another reason for this could be good-old puberty.
Either way, these situations are all ones we have faced at one point or another within our lifetimes.
well he shows no attempt at life instead he runs away like most people in life he can't tolerate anyone but himself or his relatives but even then he can put them in a lower class to make himself feel superior but he reminds me of most people putting other people down to show that there life's as screwed up as there or even try to make some difference between someone else and themselves. Holden actually shows how most people act on being different and how he acts confused. Like people nowadays due to terrisom and disease people don't know how to act and deny that it is really there and that they can ignore it and it will go away.
ReplyDeleteTo me the term "one in a million" really comes out in this book. Lots of people or should i say guys are a lot like Ackley. They are jerks who only go after girls for the wrong reasons, but then there is always that "one in a million." The one guys that respects girls and treats girls the way they should be treated, likes or loves them for who they are and the for the right reasons. Holden seems to respect Jane where Ackley doesnt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chelsea. It's not fair to the girls who are in it for the right reasons, and then the guys are the ones who are using you and screw it all up for you. Holden seems like he could be a nice and caring guy who one day can treat a girl nicely.
ReplyDeleteI find a lot of guys to be like Stradlater. Just like Kristy said. They put on an act by being concieted. Especially around girls and trying to get them. They're all about the chase. Where as Jane seems to be the sensitive and caring girl. Where maybe the little things matter to her, not just the action. At least thats how I think Holden protrays her. So I can understand how Holden must've felt when Stradlater said that about Jane and his plans for that night. You could tell Holden was jealous, because he knew how Jane was where Stradlater didn't care about those little things about Jane. He just saw her as meat. Guys are diffinetly like that, they haven't changed. Yet once and awhile you meet the nice guy who does care about how you feel and remembers certain things you do. Just like Holden. He seems like he's a genuine guy.
ReplyDelete