SECTION 6 POSTS

Section 6 Posts are now available. You may go to "Older Posts" to reach Sections 4 and 5 and can continue to post there until Sunday, Nov. 29. Be sure to catch up if you are behind in your posting. I will be assessing the posts AFTER the 29th.

Catcher has been banned from many schools for its language and content. What's your opinion?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

THEMES

What "big ideas" is the author trying to get across with this story?
Posted by at

8 comments:

  1. Ms. BeebeNovember 11, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    I wonder what leads a kid like Holden, who seems bright enough, to keep being kicked out of all these schools. It's frustrating to have a student who is capable of doing well, but who has no desire to work at all, let alone to work hard. Maybe Salinger is addressing issues of privilege in the novel because you have to be rich to attend a private prep school in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adam OkanoNovember 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    I agree with that, but i think the more pressing theme so far in this book is Holden's conflict with himself. We have read that he is not like anyone at his school. We see this symbolized by his hunting cap that he bought. It is a very odd thing to wear at the time and if Holden wears it, he feels he is different from everyone else which satisfies him. From what he has described he dislikes most people and dreads to become like them. He thinks the masses' traits are undesireable and so he strives to be unique. Whether it be failing school so he does not belong or dressing differently to alienate himself he seems to feel the need to be an individual.

    ReplyDelete
  3. chantelNovember 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    I would agree with the theme that Ms.Beebe has addressed with the issue of being privileged. I also believe that another theme is one that Holden strives to be unique and different. He doesn't seem to have a desire to fit in as most kids do. He likes to keep to himself. Also the fact of doing bad in school, because maybe he doesn't want to turn out to be like all the other rich kid. Other than what already was said i can't really think of any other themes in the book at this time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. jenniferNovember 12, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    I basically think the same thing as the other two. He sticks to himself, and likes to stand out, hence the red hunting hat he wears. He is troubled and doesn't care what people thing of him. I believe there will be more themes to come as we read along.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ms. BeebeNovember 12, 2009 at 8:48 PM

    Okay, Jennifer, how does the hunting hat, need to stand out, yet stick to himself, relate to theme? Is this a typical teen thing? The need to be noticed yet not noticed. To be individual, yet fit in?

    ReplyDelete
  6. jenniferNovember 12, 2009 at 9:11 PM

    He wants to be an individual, and not blend in, yet be different at the same time, he wants to be his own person. The hat lets him be unique yet at the same time he is self conscious about the at as well, and would rather not wear it in front of people he knows. I'm not completely sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. chantelNovember 13, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    I believe that the hat represents that he does want his own individuality. He doesn't want to blend in with the others.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 24/7 free kamranNovember 24, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    i think another big idea is childhood versus adulthood

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)