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This blog is set up for students in Ms. Beebe's Grade 12 English - Comprehensive Focus - classes at MMC. All students must use the blog to share and show their learning as we read this great "coming of age" novel, THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, by J.D. Salinger. Post regularly and post often.
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I think Salinger is trying to get his readers to think about how Holden is a real lazy and sometimes nice individual. He doesn't really care about anything, like for example his grades and he doesn't have much friends because he likes being just by himself most of the time. I think maybe Salinger is trying to tell us that Holden will change as an indivual and care more about things and apply himself for.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure though. Thats a hard question...
As I read chapters 4-5 I noticed that Holden had many conflicts with other characters in the novel. When Holden is in the "can" with Stradlater, he becomes very irritated of Stradlater. Holden thinks Stradlater is so much more better looking then him even if Stradlater is such a huge slob. I think that maybe part of the theme is that Holden is a really jealous person. Even though he complains a lot about Stradlater, I really think he's envious of everything thats going for Stradlater. As well another theme Salinger is trying to put across is the fact that Holden is a huge push over even when he always trys to acts tough. When Stradlater asks Holden to write a composition paper for him, Holden doesn't even refuse. He should really stand up for himself instead of being walked over by this dumb guy. In the end of chapter 4, Salinger adds in one message which is that Holden actually cares about people, even though from the beginning of the book he had acted like a complete ass. When Stradlater talks about his date with Jane Gallagher (a girl who lived next to Holden), Holden becomes quite happy as if he really cares that she's here. He asks so many questions about her.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 5, Salinger includes again that Holden is a really rude person and maybe he shoulf be more caring and people will actually like him and not make him for example, force him to write a essay. The big theme after reading these two chapters is that Holden should really start showing his true side, which is a smart and nice individual, before he ends up losing more then he already has.
I agree with you, but I'd say that its not so much jealousy as maybe its a desire to be different than he is. I think he puts on a bit of an act around others to get attention. I'm not completely sure how the theme is going to play out, but I think maybe his desire to be different and his attention seeking ways will somehow tie into it.
ReplyDeleteYes, that makes sense his desire to be different. Totally agree.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 6-8 we find that Holden has once again another conflict with Stradlater. When Stradlater comes back from his date with Jane, he finds that Holden didn't complete the composition paper he ordered him to write. They get in a agrument and start fighting each other. Stradlater starts punching Holden and ends up knocking him out. I think one theme is maybe that Holden should start doing things for himself and not being forced into something. In chapter 7, after gettin beaten up badly Holden goes to Ackley's room to sleep there overnight.He then leaves Pency later on that night. When he leaves, Holden starts crying because he actually cares that he wont be able to attend school anymore. Maybe Salinger is trying to put a message across, which is that Holden actually does care deep down about school but just doesn't want to show his talent and interest.
ReplyDeleteFinally in chapter 8, Holden gets on a train to leave Pency. A lady sits down beside him, who's son attends school with Holden. They strike up a conversation and when the lady asks whats Holdens name, Holden lies and says "Rudolf Schmidt". I think Holden is ashamed of himself and everything he has given up on.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'd agree with you about the theme being about him doing things for himself. I also think maybe another theme could be standing up for himself as well, and not letting others put him down or anything.
ReplyDeleteI think the whole thing about Holden really caring deep down about school is another extension of the theme about doing things for himself, he should do things that make him happy. From what I can see, he's not very happy with the way he's currently living his life.
After reading the last couple chapters, I kind of get the feeling that a reoccurring theme in the book could be him against the world. He seems to do things to get a rise out of people, or for attention. It's like he's all about going against the grain. He doesn't really fit in, and I think a part of him likes that, but he's also confused about who he really is. He definitely needs to do some soul searching.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristy because now that I have read his little brother died, it seems like that is what made him mad and he is always just trying to get back at the world for what it did to his brother. He feels like now he can't trust anyone because he doesn't know what can happen next. He is always arguing and fighting with people in the book and it seems like even people he kind of calls friends, he fights with. He needs to realize he can't be mean like that to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking in chapter 4 maybe one of the smaller themes in the book could be how children don't know how to manage there time well enough anymore. I know it's nothing major but on page 29, Stradlater had to ask Holden to write his paper for him because he had plans to go on a date. It seemed like he totally could have done it himself but he was too lazy and wanted to socialize instead of do his work.
ReplyDeleteLastly, I believe that a theme that will appear continuously is, you don't know what you have until it's gone. It's only showing up a little bit in chapter 5, but I believe the other is starting to hint at it. In chapter 5 he talks about how they always have steak on Sundays and that it is such awful steak. Very dry and hard to cut into. But I bet once he's gone from the school he will miss little things like that. He will start to realize how good he had it at that school and he'll miss so much stuff he didn't think he would.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I feel Holden is very ashamed of where he is in life after the first eight chapters. He obviously has lost his passion to succeed in school and he has little desire to be respected by his peers, teachers, and family for that matter. At this point, he feels being away from Pency and living in hotels will solve his depressed state. However, I agree with Kayla that he will begin to miss some aspects of Pency and I predict in the big picture, he will regret his decisions in the past that prevented his graduation at Pency. This would not have been a difficult accomplishment if he would have put in any effort.
ReplyDeleteI think Salinger is trying show us what Holden has to go through at Pencey and why he hates it there soo much. After the Fight with Stradlatar he Ends up builting more hatred for people that he puts himself in a rage and leaves Pencey. Salinger shows How sad his life is with losing his brother (Allie) how his other brother (D.B) Sold himself to hollywood and the only one he can turn to is himself. But the fact of Salinger showing us these it makes his life a Unbearable. to tell you the truth I am surprised he isn't commiting suicide...yeah.
ReplyDelete