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After reading the first couple chapters, I find that Holden is a troubled person, and the way he talks and swears all the time gets on my nerves. Anyone agree?
ReplyDeleteIn the first chapter, we get introduced to a few characters. The speaker, Holden, has a pretty lousy vocabulary. It's as though he's speaking right to the reader, but his way of talking annoys me a bit. We learn a bit about his brother D.B. and that he's a rich writer who now lives in Hollywood. Holden compares his brother to a prostitute because he used to be a good, serious writer, and now he's only writing for the movies. I think Holden misses who his brother used to be because he keeps mentioning how D.B. never used to be rich and used to write good short stories. Holden tells us a story about him and his friends Robert Tichener and Paul Campbell, but the only thing we learn is that they're nice guys. I doubt they're even going to be in the book again. We also get introduced to Mrs. Spencer, who seems like a sweet old lady.
ReplyDeletePs- Allie, I agree. Holden's way of talking gets on my nerves too.
I think Holden's attitude towards most people isn't harsh or rude, but more blunt and honest. He does tend to swear a lot, but I think it's Salinger's way of expressing that he's rough around the edges, not every book character is going to be proper or respectful because not all people are like that. Holden's character to me seems maybe a little troubled but I think he mostly just says exactly what's on his mind and isn't worried about how it comes out. To me it doesn't seem like he dislikes everyone either, like he comes across, because when you compare the way he speaks about his brother, to the way he speaks about Mr. Spencer, there's a big difference. He seems to speak about his brother more harshly as if his brother has let him down, but the way he talks about Mr.
ReplyDeleteSpencer, it's almost as if he looks at him as an idol.
Another character we're introduced to in the second and third chapters is Ackley. He lives in the dorm next to Holden. By the way Holden described him, he really sounds like the sort of guy that nobody likes but just put up with. The way he talked made him seem extremely annoying, obnoxious, close minded, etc. It also sounds like he's very unhygenic and doesn't seem to care much about his appearance or what people think about him, since he never listens to what anyone says, for example: When he was cutting his finger nails on the ground and Holden asked him three or four times to do it on the table so he wouldn't step on his nails at night. In a way Ackley reminds me of my little brother... how he never listents to what anyone says unless you yell at him.
ReplyDeletePS: The way Holden talks is starting to get on my nerves a little aswell.
I agree Allie, it is apparent that Holden has some serious issues. However, he does seem like he is an intelligent and respectful person but he doesn't use his abilities to his outmost potential. It is obvious from the way he narrarates that he has intelligence and his respect is shown when he is at the Spencer's home. He also doesn't realize how his decisions now will affect his future. If he applied himself to his school work he would not have all of these issues with transferring schools and expulsion.
ReplyDeleteAs for Holden's speaking style, I find it adds colour to the book. It's more interesting than reading Shakespeare language!
I agree with everything Shanell said about Robert Ackley. I was disgusted when i was reading what Holden had to say about him. The image of him sitting there dumping his fingernail gunk all over the floor made me gag. I would get extremely frustrated with someone like Ackley because i don't like when people don't know how to mind their own business. He's eighteen, he should know how to take the hint that Holden wants to be left alone. I think it's kind of ironic how he can't stand Stradlater, but everyone else can't stand him!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you guys are saying about Ackley. He seems like a disgusting individual who should invest a few dollars in a toothbrush! I understand why the majority of people dislike him, not just because of his personal upkeep.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2 we learn a lot about Mr. Spencer. We learn he's a 70 year old man who has bad, posture, nods a lot and likes to use sarcasm. He's passionate about history, and seems a bit offended that Holden doesn't care much about it. He's hard on Holden, but I think he is just being a good teacher, and wants his student to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daniel about Holden and how he has some major issues and never looks into the future. But when I think about it, lots of teenagers are that way, its not just Holden. I'm sure most of you can say that at some point in time you have said "Well, i'll just deal with it when it actually happens!" at some point or another. Holden seems to take it to a whole new level though, getting kicked out of four schools and all.
ReplyDeleteAckley is very disregarding person when it comes to people,he usually does not show any emotion towards how he acts even though it might be disgusting or repulsing. He is very Low Mannered guy shows lots of hostility towards Stradlator.
ReplyDeleteHe puts himself higher than anyone else and can also be very annoying to the main character Holden.
I agree with harlyn when she mentions that holden is blunt, he puts things out there and doesn't hold back when it comes to letting us know what he thinks. Leaves us with no surprises though, and we never need to guess his feelings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyra with her comment on Mr. Spencer. Of course, he is one of those old history teachers with odd and annoying habits, but overall he seems like a caring person. He is firm with Holden, but he only wants Holden to understand that putting in some effort would solve the majority of his schooling problems.
ReplyDeleteThe Holden Caulfield is most complex character in the book because he toke the positions against phoninest
ReplyDelete