Catcher In the Rye November 30, 2014

What is setting of CITR?

NYC

at the end when Holden brings Phoebe to the carrousel, he says, "All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid she'd fall off the goddam horse, but I didn't say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them."

Near the end of the novel, Holden begins to see that children (notably Phoebe) will inevitably become more like adults as time goes by. This is shown symbolically by Phoebe's return of the red hat that Holden gives her. Also, letting the kids grab the gold ring is a metaphor for growing up and seeing the real world, because Salinger even uses the same idea of "falling"—except instead of falling off a cliff, this time, the children are falling off the horse on a carrousel. At the end of the novel, you see that Holden has become more welcome to change and less hostile to "phoniness," as you can see from this example.

Who is Ackley?

Pencey student that shares bathroom with Holden

What evidence do we have that HOlden is changing over the course of the novel

*

Carousel Scene

*carosel represents childhood -it does not change -Phoebe is there *Holden is in the rain (in the rain = HOlden) and is NOT on the carousel

Why can't M__________???

*drunk *head p___________? ->___________ *not per_________??? * not in___________??? *HOlden is d________________???

HOlden's walk

*going down down down? *talks to ALlie (make believe) *fantasizes about being a deaf mute (total disconnection) *why does holden want to isolate himself?????

Why was CITR controversial?

*sexual themes. profanity

Holden's hat symbolizes what? How do we know this?

*when holden is stressed out ???? ASK 11/5 *represents security and individuality - The hat is outlandish, and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him. At the same time, he is very self-conscious about the hat—he always mentions when he is wearing it, and he often doesn't wear it if he is going to be around people he knows. The presence of the hat, therefore, mirrors the central conflict in the book: Holden's need for isolation versus his need for companionship. *best-known symbol

HOlden's emotional state (ASK??? Nov 25)

+ nuns, but then feels badly about them (no fancy dinners; few outfits) + gives nuns money - afraid nuns will ask if he is Catholic + talks to kid (from Phoebe's class) in the Park + date with Sally, then - when Holden was rude & Sally cried - when realized that Phoebe is changling

1) Describe Phoebe. What is she like? 2) What examples does HOlden use to describe her? 3) Why might Holden's relationship with Phoebe be important?

1 and 2)Phoebe is an A student. She is roller skate skinny and knows what you are talking about. She has red hair. She is 10 and only family member he likes. 3)Holden and Phoebe have a very strong and real relationship as they really like one another. Because Holden is immature, he can relate to her. One of the only people Holden can have an ongoing conversation with is , Phoebe. It seems as if Holden respects Phoebe, to such an extent in which he relates to younger children more than teenagers his own age. I(ASK????)

Holden likes who, and why?

1) Allie 2) nuns 3) James Castle - boy who jumps out window Why? They are 1) honest 2) standing up for what they believe 3) innocent

Why is Holden's and Spencer's relationship awkward?

1) H's conversation w/ Spencer upsets/annoys him ex. "game my ass" Notes - 10/29 at 8:51 2) H pretends to be okay, and H remains polite to Spencer

What do we learn about Holden by looking at interactions with Stradlater and Ackley? Nov. 3 Notes

1) H+A have contradicting behavior a) awkward interactions -> H doesn't like A -> they are polite & honest in a blunt way b) H is mean sometimes - teasing? ->"sadistic" with him -> calls him a "kid" c) H is also kind to A -> invites him out - Ch. 5 -> teeth issue - honest but gentle (Ch. 3)

What is internal conflict in CITR? ASK

1) HOlden vs. sex 2) HOlden vs. his immaturity 3) Holden vs. his inability to handle everyday life, which caused him to have a mental breakdown

What is external conflict in CITR? ASK

1) Holden vs. fakeness in society -Holden can't relate to other people except Phoebe -Holden tries to protect Phoebe and defend them from mature life because Holden thinks the world is full of phonies 2) Holden vs. being an adult -Holden tries to hold onto childhood, yet also tries to be an adult by ordering drinks in bar and talking to Luce about sex

What is Holden's characterization???? in Chapter 2

1) Holden's feelings about school a) he doesn't care b) he is failing c) calls people phonies (fake) and crooks (thieves) -> WHAT MATTERS A PERSON A PHONY?(in box) ASK??? (10/29) 2) his traits a)sarcastic/cynical/pessimistic ->especially w/r/t his description of adults b) unhappy -> H has no friends, but does he care? 3) his vocabulary a) p. 11 - I say "boy" quite a lot - why? -> Holden has a lousy vocabulary (shows he is is very self-aware & sees himself as childish BUT looks like an adult) ->Holden acts young for his age even though he is 6'2 1/2" and has gray hair (shows even Holden sees himself as childish even though he looks like an adult)

1) Holden's influence on Phoebe 2) Holden's anger at Phoebe

1) Phoebe wants to leave with HOlden, and Phoebe tells HOlden to shut up 2)Holden's anger at Phoebe -> HOlden push her away & he ruined her innocence

What is Holden's issue with Stradlater?

1) S doesn't clearly care about Jane 2) Holden cares about/has a crush on (?) Jane 3) Holden worries that S disrespected Jane ->Stradlater's dating technique ??? 4) Holden is protective of Jane and cares about her

_______Help? ____ ting

1) Sexual assault (HOlden has been assaulted before - end of Ch. 21?) 2) Comfort ? parental action

HOlden and ducks

1) cold 2) nowhere to go 3) death thoughts -> Allie -> religion atheist? is there a heaven? 4) what happens to the ducks is like what happens when we die/ if I get so cold that I might die?

HOlden and kids /CHildhood(nov 24)

1) kids are not phony, are nice and polite ex. asks little girl to get a drink SHOWS holden is trying to make friends and connect with people, but at 16, Holden is neither an adult or a child (EXPLAIN/ASK???) HOlden childhood 16 (not adult or kid) adulthood 2) likes kids 3) museum and childhood -> museum stays the same & preserves its innocence(which Holden likes) even though Holden changes and gets older -> unlike the museum, Holden is growing up in an adult world & losing his innocence, which makes Holden feel uncomfortable

Chapter 20 -23 The Patterns of HOlden's Mind

1) likes innocence-> wants to preserve it 2) self-isolation-> everyone is phony, and Holden pushes others away 3) preoccupation with the past -> (relates current events with past ones) 4)Childhood (make-believe) v. adulthood -> which world does HOlden belong in? FEAR OF ADULTHOOD - rants

meaning of title, CITR?

1) march through childhood 2) at edge of rye, ____ innocence ___ of _____??? 3) fall into adulthood, then into death

Phoebe's role in the novel

1) nice to talk to 2) innocent 3) mother/sister (calls HOlden out ("you don't like anyone or anything" and can tell when he lies) 4) imagination - alter ego 5) assertive 6) smart 7) generous 8) genuine

Describe Holden and religion Nov. 24

1) nuns - Holden fears that they won't like him if he was not catholic (treats the nuns and catholics like a clique or social group) -> Louis Shaney tried to subtlely find out if Holden was Catholic (like a clique) 2) according to HOlden, Catholics stick together and holden doesn't fit in 3) like money, religion is something else out of Holden's control that gets in the way of Holden's forming relationships

What does narrator/Holden's vocabulary tell us about Holden?

1) p. 11 - I say "boy" quite a lot - why? a) Holden has a lousy vocabulary (shows he is is very self-aware & sees himself as childish BUT looks like an adult) b) Holden acts young for his age even though he is 6'2 1/2" and has gray hair (shows even Holden sees himself as childish even though he looks like an adult)

What does Holden like? Why does he like them?

1) phoebe 2) Jane 3) kids 4) Allie 5) Mrs. M (doesn't even know her name)- easy for Holden to like people 6) nuns He likes them because they are not phony, they are kids/adults, are genuine, helpless, and innocent

What does Holden like about the nuns and Allie in particular?

1) pure 2) innocent 3) love scenes of Romeo and Juliet - uncomfortable about talking to the nuns about the play because it was not "nun appropriate"

What happens when Holden is stressed out? Nov 5

1) puts on his red hat 2) H's speech patterns change -> uses bad language (damn) for no reason & repetition -> grammar is irregular -> jumps around - he talks like he thinks (like a "stream of consciousness" narration)

Holden and Sally- does Holden love Sally?

1) yes, in the moment, but no, overall -> this shows that Holden is NOT in touch with his emotions 2) why propose? -> Sally is Holden's only shot at marriage -> Holden doesn't want to be alone 3) HOw is HOlden acting in this scene? ->Holden lost filter -> Holden's rant: (a) Holden doesn't want to grow up and become like his dad (b) unreliable in his narration (c)Holden drives Sally away Salinger partly overcomes the unreliability of his narrator by introducing a third-person perspective. On page 117 Sally tells Holden to stop shouting. Holden is unaware that he is shouting and his distance from reality is emphasised as he remarks that he 'wasn't even shouting.' (p117). The reader is thus further disinclined to trust the narrator, but at least, in amongst Holden's wild rants, we are given a third-person perspective through which to view his actions. This may leave you to question the accuracy of his description of his behaviour thus far.

What happens when HOlden talks about sex? Nov 12

1)Holden + sex = internal conflict - ->His vocabulary also deteriorates (gets worse) A) on one hand ->Holden's Rule - stop "horsing around" w/ girls I don't like (means no more meaningless hook ups) ->Holden disapproves of Stradlater (he does this) - > Holden disapproves of sex acts that demean and disrespect women B) on other hand -> Sex is fun, and Holden is interested in sex 2)"I don't understand it" ASK MEANING (CH 8-10)

Who does HOlden think about calling when he gets to NY? Who does he actually call and why (Ch 9)? What does this conversation tell us about Holden? How does this fit into our idea of him as a character?

1)Thinks about calling Jane, his sister Phoebe, and Sally 2) Actually called Faith Cavendish 3) This shows that he was horny and that he was only willing to meet Faith that night and not the next. faith could only meet the next night., 4) This shows that Holden is immature and childish. This was his chance to be with a woman and he had nothing to do the next day, but he said he could only meet with her on the day she could not meet.

What is the plot of CITR?

1)is told from the future perspective *Where is here? *how old is he now? 2) Narrator goes to the hill & says good-bye to Pencey school. 3) Narrator was being 'ostracized' after being in NYC 4) Narrator goes to see Spencer.

Describe Holden and Money (Ch. 15 - 18) Nov 24

1)nuns + donation (he likes the nuns like he likes Mrs. Marrow) (ASK??? why does he like them like Mrs. M?)___________________________he feels badly for Mrs. M b/c her son is not how Holden described; ->Holden is very generous with Nuns -> Holden feels bad and sad about nun's poverty (nuns wear same outfits and don't have fancy dinners) 2)Holden's family (aunt and father) make lots of money -> aunt does charity for show -> father is casual about his money (ASK) 3) Roommate and suitcases -> Holden's roommate is not as rich, so HOlden hides HOlden's nice suitcases -> Holden's pity ?- wants to be nice to folks; friends - his $ gets in the way of friendship (ASK) 4) Summary -> Holden is casual with money -> guilt ? (Holden feels guilty for having $) (ASK) -> awkward interactions - H doesn't like differences in wealth

When was CITR published?

1951

What is the POV of CITR?

1st person narrator

What is Situational irony vs. verbal irony?

2) situational irony - the outcome of an event situation is the opposite of what one would expect 3) verbal irony - when words written imply a meaning that is the oppsite of their literal meaning (ex. sarcasm) ****************************************************** Verbal irony (also called sarcasm) -- a writer makes a statement in which the actual meaning differs from the meaning that the words appear to express. Situational irony -- accidental events occur that seem oddly appropriate, such as the poetic justice of a TV weather presenter getting caught in a surprise rainstorm.

What are Holden's central internal conflicts?

7

What evidence do we have of Holden's fear of growing up and becoming an adult? (conflict)

7

Suitcases - ch 15

At Elkton Hills (one of his many previous boarding schools), Holden roomed with a guy named Dick Slagle who had very inexpensive suitcases and was so embarrassed about it that he used to keep them under the bed instead of on the luggage rack. this was depressing to Holden, who himself had very expensive suitcases. So he put his under the bed, too. The funny thing is, Dick kept taking Holden's suitcases out and putting them back on the rack so that people would think they were his. But—he also kept insulting them, calling them "bourgeois." Sheesh. You really can't please some people. Obviously, both of them ended up getting new roommates. Wise words from Holden: it's hard to be roommates with people if your suitcases are much better than theirs.

unreliable narrator

Because Holden is an unreliable narrator, in order to understand his character it is necessary to look beyond his words at his behavior and his interactions with others, using the knowledge of his personality acquired from his narration and applying it to his actions in the story An unreliable narrator is a narrator whose account is biased or distorted; therefore, it cannot be trusted (at face value) by the reader. Holden is a teenage boy who lies far too often and about everything, something at which you've hinted. Most of what he utters is exaggerated, in fact, while contradictions in his speech can be found everywhere. Lies, exaggeration, and contradiction are evidence that this character is unreliable. Holden Caulfield has opinions about everything and everyone he encounters; it can be said that these opinions distort his retelling of past events. Holden is cynical and, as you've explained, pessimistic. He often expresses his disbelief that good people (adults, to be specific) exist in the world, so every adult he meets is made out to have a defect. Everyone is a "phony." These may simply be his opinions instead of the truth, thereby making him further "unreliable

How does CITR start?

Chapter 1, first line is "in medias res" but narrator notes that stories usually start with childhood references ??? *Refers to David Copperfield ("you will want to know that David Copperfield kind of crap"), which is a book that tracks the ENTIRE life of a character *narrator breaks from the pattern of telling the entire life of his character (breaks away from a David Copperfield way of telling a story), which shows that narrator is a RULE BREAKER

"God, I love it when a kid's nice and polite when you tighten their skate for them or something." (Salinger, P.119)

Children have purity the surpass that of an adult. It is this purity that makes them so ideal and admirable to Holden. Even when someone does or says something simple, a child is amazed by it. No matter how simple it may be, a child always finds something rewarding out of it. Their nearly ineffable admiration for simplicity and furthermore, abstinence from complexities, makes children so admirable. A mere "thank you" from a child makes Holden feel uplifted, away from his proclaimed depression.

Mr. Antolini

Discusses with Holden 1) school - digression in debate -> HOlden's style -> Holden's empathy 2) concerns and Holden's parents concern about Holden 3) Holden is heading for a fall (What is HOlden's fall? either adulthood or what is happening now)

HOlden and partially frozen pond

Frozen: 1) can't change it (in the past) ??? 2) childhood 3) museum Unfrozen (cant read NOTES HERE)???? 1) adulthood? 2) _______??? 3) _________???

"[s]ex is something I just don't understand. I swear to God I don't" (Chapter 9).

HOlden wants everything to be easily understandable and eternally fixed, like the statues of Eskimos and Indians in the museum. Holden is frightened because he is guilty of the sins he criticizes in others, and because he can't understand everything around him. HOlden refuses to acknowledge this fear, expressing it only in a few instances—for example, when he talks about sex and admits that he doesn't understand sex.

Hat

HOlden wears it for protection (physcial and emotional) *when Phoebe gives hat back, its like saying "I don't need your protection"

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around—nobody big, I mean—except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff—I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy."

HOlden's quote that he wants to be a Catcher in the rye. This represents Holden's anxiety about growing up. This also represents Holden's desire to save innocent children from the phoniness of the real world. The cliff they jump off represents the real world, and his job is to save them from it. His preservation of the innocence of children is also shown when he is enraged from seeing the words "f**k you" written on the wall of Phoebe's school. This "drives him crazy" because he imagines all of the kids (including Phoebe) wondering what it means and then finding out. He gets very angry at this because this would jeopardize their innocence and would give them a small glimpse of the corruption of the real world. t it represents Holden's desire to safeguard the innocence of children who are naïve and innocent because they have not been exposed to the "game of life."

1) Who does HOlden hang out with in Lavendar Room What are they like? 2) In what way does this scene connect to HOlden's earlier statement that he is both young and old for his age? ASK???

Hangs out with Bernice, Laverne, and Marty Bernice - ok looking, good dance Marty - ugley and bad dancer laverne - ugly and ok dancer 2) He is tall and has gray hair, so he thinks he looks older and tries to buy a drink. Holden drinks at shady bars, stays awake until early hours of the morning, and spends a night in a hotel room after wandering around the city of New York for quite some time. Despite his actions and appearances that create an image of Holden as mature for his age, it is apparent that Holden is a kid at heart.

Describe Holden's elaborate lie to Mrs. Morrow in Chapter 8. Why do you think that Holden does this? how does this chapter fit inot our understanding or analysis of Holden's character? Nov 10

Holden says her kid is popular, and says his own name is Rudolph Schmidt. Holden does not want to tell her his really identity because he is that type of kid. ??? Holden is secretive and worried that Mrs. M might tell his mom. This shows that he is being a hypocrite b/c he is always calling everybody a phony and now he is being a phony.He'd like us to believe that he is a paragon of virtue in a world of phoniness, but that simply isn't the case. Although he'd like to believe that the world is a simple place, and that virtue and innocence rest on one side of the fence while superficiality and phoniness rest on the other, Holden is his own counterevidence. The world is not as simple as he'd like—and needs—it to be; even he cannot adhere to the same black-and-white standards with which he judges other people.

Why is it ironic when Holden calls Ackley a prince?

Holden uses the term "prince" to point out Ackley's distinct absence of gentlemanly qualities.

Who is old Spencer?

Holden's history teacher that is friendly with Holden

Who is the author of CITR, and when, where, and how did he live?

J D Salinger lived 1919- 2010 in NY, NY as a recluse

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 quotation is from Holden's conversation with Spencer in Chapter 2. His former teacher is needling him about his failures at Pencey; at this point, he lectures Holden about the importance of playing by the rules. The conversation succinctly illuminates key aspects of Holden's character. We see his silent contempt for adults, which is evidenced by the silent ridiculing and cursing of Spencer that Holden hides beneath his nodding, compliant veneer. We also see how alienated he feels. He clearly identifies with those on the "other side" of the game, and he feels alone and victimized, as though the world is against him. At this point in the novel, Holden's sense of disadvantage and corresponding bitterness seem somewhat strange, given his circumstances: he's clearly a bright boy from a privileged New York family. As the book progresses, however, we learn that Holden has built a cynical psychological armor around himself to protect himself from the complexities of the world.

what are Ackley's traits, and what is evidence of those traits?

Trait Evidence 1) Disgusting a) messy -------------------------> finger nails b)lousy teeth ---------------------> never saw him brush c) bad skin 2) Terrible personality a) mean b) annoying c) hates all d) few friends e)pretends not to care 3) Inconsiderate

appropriate ___et __-ent ___ed with Mr. A __________tion ???????????

adult - complexity

Was CITR directed towards kids or adults?

adults originally

Phoebe tries to leave with Holden

connection broken and frustrates Holden *forces HOlden to change

What does Holden and the ducks (where do they go) symbolize? ASK ??? NOv 12

ducks symbolize HOlden? *genuine, more youthful side to his character. His search for the ducks represents the curiosity of youth and a joyful willingness to encounter the mysteries of the world The ducks mysterious perseverance in the face of an inhospitable environment resonates with Holden's understanding of his own situation.

???? dirty words on wall (Dec 4)

erase to protect innocence

look

https://flhspreapenglish.wikispaces.com/BDJKgangsterinc.

What is "in medias res"?

in medias res is a narrative technique in which a story opens in the middle or end rather than the beginning

Where is Holden now?

in the hospital/institution and telling his story

Who is Louis Shaney?

kid named Louis Shaney who was cool to talk to until Louis tried to subtly find out if he was Catholic.

HOlden and Carl Luce (chapter 19)

represents HOlden and sexuality 1)'Flits" and 'Lesbians" _____? ->curious about sex lives of others 2) Date with Sally- HOlden demands closeness 3) date with Luce - Curious and asks ?s 4) Both dates show Holden's interest in relationships, but then it gets too personal (???) and HOlden ends up alone 5) Holden has issues of IMMATURITY and GROWING-up

What is verbal irony?

when words written imply a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning (ex. sarcasm) ("soft as concrete")