Festivus

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festivus explanation...

Catcher in the Rye Literary Analysis...

Assignment: 

Turnitin.com class code: 8915779

Turnitin.com class password:  APLiterature  

(Thanks to Nana we now know that the password is case sensitive!  Thanks guys!

Select a character(s), conflict, or theme you would like to explore in The Catcher in the Rye.Provide a 4-5 page literary analysis.

Utilize the novel (1 source).

Utilize at least 3 sources of literary criticism (no more than 2 can be from the choices provided for you- at least one must be found independently).

Due dates:

Monday, March 2, 2015

Submission information:

All papers must be submitted to Turnitin.com (electronically) in addition to Ms. O’Donnell (printed copy).

Apply the principles of MLA documentation throughout your paper:

-Introduce your work in an engaging manner (with a significant passage, relevant or suggestive dialogue, an apropos statement by a literary critic, or some important information that provides context to the topic you are analyzing.)

-Establish a clear, comprehensive thesis.

-Defend your thesis using relevant specific evidence from the text as well as valid literary criticism (no readers’ guides-e.g., Sparknotes).

-Strike a balance between paraphrasing and well integrated direct quotations.

-Provide a meaningful conclusion

How you'll be graded:

Title Page: *interesting title/ proper information

Introduction: * interesting beginning/ length/ thesis 
Body: *diction/mechanics/ length 
Conclusion: *recap of entire paper/ powerful final comments 
Balance of Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing: *form and integration (in text of paper) 
Work Cited page/Source Quality: *variety/ form 

Sources:  You must integrate citations from 3 outside critics/sources in addition to your use of The Catcher in the Rye (a minimum of 4 sources in total.)  The following sources are approved:

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2010/02/08/100208ta_talk_gopnik

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012803177.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/books/29appraisal.html?_r=1&ref=books

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/weekinreview/21schuessler.html?ref=books

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html

Additional References for consideration:

"Love and Death in The Catcher in the Rye" Critic: Peter Shaw
Source: New Essays on The Catcher in the Rye, Cambridge University Press, 1991, pp. 97-114.

Kings in the Back Row: Meaning through Structure-A Reading of Salinger's `The Catcher in the Rye'
Critic: Carl F. StrauchWinter, 1961, pp. 5–30. Reproduced by permission
Source: Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature

The dimwitted legacy of 'Catcher in the Rye'  Critic: George Will,  Chicago Sun-Times

Contemporary Literary Criticism- This multi-volume set contains excerpts from critical essays in books and journals. Use these volumes to 1) select a topic or theme, 2) find the full article or essay in the library, or locate other articles from the "Further Reading" section.

Novels for Students - Entries in this multi-volume set include information on the novel, major themes, characters, and criticism.

Dictionary of Literary Biography - DLB is a multi-volume work which provides detailed American Writers - This set of books provides information about the lives, careers, and works of American writers.

Major Characters in American Fiction - Entries on the most important characters.

Characters in 20th-Century Literature - Brief information on the characters in this book under the entry on Salinger. 

Holden Caufield - from the series on Major Literary Characters. 

Censored Books: Critical Viewpoints - Contains an essay on The Catcher in the Rye.

   

The Catcher in the Rye - Critical essays. Edited by Harold Bloom.

Judging your Source:

The Internet can be a wonderful source of original documents. But, remember to look at:

Accuracy - The information should be researched and show proof that it has been.

  

Source - Who wrote the information? Look at the domain: .edu .gov. org .net are valid research sources.

Authority - What are the author's credentials?  (Do not quote from another student's paper.)

Coverage - Does the page have the information you need for your research?

Objectivity - If a work is biased, you may use it - just make sure your teacher knows YOU know. And offer both sides of issues, where applicable.

Strategies for Writing about Literature:

1. Don’t tell your reader what you’re going to tell her--just tell her! In other words, do not say: “In my essay, I am going to tell you about…”

2. Write formal papers in third person. Use he, she, it, they, one--but not I, we, or you.

3. Write literary papers in the present tense. Thus, Holden leaves Pencey, not Holden leftPency.

4. Make pertinent references to the work itself. Be specific. Saying that Holden disappoints his teammates is too vague. Saying that Holden is ostracized by the fencing team because he lost all the foils and equipment on the subway is specific.

5. Quote appropriately by integrating phrases within your own sentences. Include the page number in parentheses as shown. The best way to avoid a QUOTE LUMP is to quote phrases. The following examples illustrate the differences.

* Sentence exactly as it appears in the novel: “What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by, I mean I’ve left schools and places I didn’t even know I was leaving them”(4).

* Sentence with a QUOTE LUMP: Holden says, “I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by” (4).

* Sentence explaining quote’s importance but LUMPY with unneeded words: Even though he has been expelled from Pencey, Holden can’t leave immediately because he says, “I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by” (4).

* Sentence integrating & explaining quote with no unneeded words: Expelled from Pencey, Holden can’t leave immediately because he is “trying to feel some kind of a good-by” (4).

6. If a passage is truly important enough to warrant quoting an entire sentence or more, you will need to explain its importance. You may use the ellipsis (…) if you leave words out of the middle of the sentence. If you quote more than two lines, you must also set the quote off as in the example below. Holden introduces himself and the novel’s major themes to us by saying:  If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like…and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth (1).  This initial reluctance to tell us about himself ties in directly with the reference to David Copperfield who was also trying to find out if he was to be “the hero of [his] own life” (1).

7. Use transitional words to relate ideas and events to each other and to introduce some of your examples. For instance, to illustrate, consequently, in addition, on the other hand and other such “glue words” help your paper “fit together.”

8. Pay very careful attention to the correct punctuation of the literary work’s title. Know whether to enclose it in quotation marks or to underline.

9. Pay very careful attention to the spelling of any words in quoted passages, the names of characters and places, and common homonyms. To misspell Holdin’ Coalfield or to confuse its and it’s are careless error’s which show a lack of respect for you’re own work.

10. Create an appropriate and interesting title for your papers. You cannot call your paper “The Catcher in the Rye.” Salinger has already used that one, so you must do more. Perhaps: Style in The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield’s Quest of Central Park and Museums Holden’s Hieroglyphics OR whatever that indicates the direction your paper will follow.

                

                                                        “Good Luck!”  

                          (That should make you laugh…if you were listening in class.)

The Catcher in the Rye- JOURNALS

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
 What is truth? How do our truths compare to society’s?
 What rules must people follow?
 How our perceptions of ourselves differ from others’?
 What is an individual’s relationship to society?
 How are observations of our surroundings an important way to understand our place in the world?

                               
Catcher... will be approach in a manner consistent with the Salinger's stream of conscious writing style.  Students will write reflections in their journals.  Specific writing parameters will be discussed in class.
Journal writing parameters:

For each chapter, select one of the questions offered to you.  As you address the question, make references to Catcher and your own life or observations.  Each journal entry should be at least 2 pages of your journal.  Consider the use of quotes from the text to help support your thoughts.

                                 CHAPTER/FOCUS QUESTIONS:

Chapter 1 (Catcher entry 1)

1. How are observations of our surroundings an important way to understand our place in
the world?  "Perception is reality..."

2. Describe how you perceive yourself.  How does your perception differ from how others perceive you, if at all. Has that changed as you've aged?

3. Describe your school. What does it look like, smell like, feel like, what do you hear? How does that shape you and/or others who attend the school?

4. How has your "place" in your family shaped your personality?  Siblings?

Chapter 2 (Catcher entry 2)

1. What depresses Holden? Why does he find these things depressing? Is there truth to what he says?

2. How does Holden feel about phony people? Why? Is this valid? Are we all phony, to some extent?

3. What is the significance of the rules of society?  Are these rules valid?

Chapter 3& 4 (Catcher entry 3)

1. What does Holden mean when he writes that Stradlater “was a little bit like Ackley” (28)?  In what way or ways are these two apparently very different characters similar?  Do we reject those who remind us our ourselves?  Explain.

2. How does Holden feel about Jane Gallagher?  What actions or remarks demonstrate his attitude toward her?  How does who and what you hold dear to your heart define you as an individual? 

3. What is the reason Holden gives for not going downstairs and saying hello to Jane?  What do you make of that?  How do you channel/control your protective instincts?  Consider the instincts of fight or flight.  How do you deal with conflict?

Chapter 5 ((Catcher entry 4)

1. Assess Holden's decision to invite Ackley to the movies. In what ways do you contradict yourself?  What does that say about you?

2. Why doesn’t Holden throw the snowball? What moments have presented you with similar feelings? Why?

3. Analyze Holden's decision to write the paper for Stradlater. In what ways do we all sabotage ourselves? 

4.  Compare and contrast Allie and Holden, based on Holden’s description of his younger brother. What do you make of it? What do we learn about Holden as a result?

Chapters 6-7 (Catcher entry 5)

1.   Analyze Holden as he checks out his wounds.  What is the significance of the hunting hat in this scene?  What key items identify you?

2.  Why does Holden wake  Ackley? Assess their conversation.  What is Holden searching for?  Where does your mind go in moments of trial?

3.  Describe Holden’s emotional state when he is about to leave Pencey.  Refer to specific details from the text that reflects this. Why do some struggle with transitions more than others? 

Chapter 8-9 ((Catcher entry 6)

1.  What does Holden mean by his remark that “Mothers are all slightly insane” ?  Is this true?  Why or why not?

 2. What is the significance of the question Holden asks the taxi driver about the ducks?  Why does Holden want to know?  Explain the metaphor.

 3.  Examine the most glaring contradictions and examples of hypocrisy in these chapters.  What do they suggest?  Why does Salinger present them this way.  How are they true of human nature?

Chapters 10-11 (Catcher entry 7)

1. How does Holden's description of his sister, Phoebe, inform the reader?  Do you have any family members who you hold in such high regard?

2 Why is Holden is so depressed by the fact that the three girls in the bar are going to see the first Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall?  Why do people wrestle with the holidays?  How do you process the holidays?

3. What trait or quality about Ernie does Holden criticize? Why?  Explain.

4. What social norms frustrate you the most. Why?

Chapter 12 (Catcher entry 8)

1. Discuss the significance of Holden's conversation with Horwitz.  Consider Horwitz's response.  What is the suggestion?

2.  Discuss Holden's confusion over sexuality.  To what do you attribute it?  What bothers him about the Joe Yale-looking guy?  Why?

Chapters 13-14  (Catcher entry 9)
1. Why is Holden depressed by Sunny?  What seems to bother him the most about her? Why?  Is there any validity to this?

2. How does Holden view himself? Why does he feel this way?  What aspects of yourself are you the most critical of?  Why?

3 . Why does Holden engage with people he does not like, people he considers to be below
him?

4. Why is Holden fixated on violence and suicide? Is this true of our society?

Chapter 15,16 and 17 (journal entry 10) due Monday, January 26th

1.  How are Holden and his mother similar in their reactions to Allie’s death? Why did Holden’s suitcases become an issue between him and his old roommate Slagle?  What statement about wealth and/or social class is Holden making by telling this story? What writing strategies does Salinger use to convey this?
2.  Why does seeing the little boy walking with his family cheer Holden up?  Why is Holden depressed by the long lines of moviegoers?  What seems to make him happy about the girl he helps with her skates? What is Salinger trying to covey through this character development?  
3. One of the major themes of the novel is the mutability of time and its relationship to death. Comment on Holden's feelings about change? What are the ways in which Holden seems to seek solace from the realities of the adult world? How is this developed through these three chapters? 

Chapter 18 & 19 (journal entry 11) due Friday, January 30th

Today we will spend time discussing your research ideas. After you get "approval" for your topic, read chapters 18 and 19 through the lens of your "claim/thesis/assertion."  This is an opportunity for you to look for evidence and clarify your thinking.  After your discussion of chapters 18 and 19, through the lens of your selected research topic, you can expand to include relevant connections to the two pieces of literary analysis and/or previous chapters.

Chapters 20, 21 & 22 (journal entry 12, due Monday, February 2nd)

1. What's in a title?  Consider why Salinger chose to go title the novel, The Catcher in the Rye.  Reflect on Holden's conversation with Phoebe.  Reflect on The Robert Burns poem.  What possible message is he conveying, if any.


Chapters 23 and 24 (Student generated questions)

Read chapters 23 and 24.  Type two meaningful, thought-provoking discussion questions for class on Thursday.  These will be collected and graded for effort.

Holden...

"I am a Rock"
A winter's day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock
I am an island
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need for friendship
Friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock
I am an island
Don't talk of love
Well, I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I'd never loved,
I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
Safe within my womb
I touch no-one and no-one touches me
I am a rock
I am an island
And the rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
By: Simon and Garfunkel 44

"The Sound of Silence"
Hello, darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision
That was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
Beneath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed
By the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share...
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence.
"Fools," said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows."
"Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed in the wells of silence.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming.
And the signs said: "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls,
And whisper'd in the sound of silence."
By: Simon and Garfunkel

What's the big deal?

What's the Big Deal: The Catcher in the Rye

In his review "The Praises and Criticisms of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye," Eric Lomazoff states "...The Catcher in the Rye will continue to be a point of great public and critical debate. One must remember, however, in the study and critique of the novel, particularly for a researcher or critic in 1996, that the story was written in a different time. If originally published today, the novel would probably create little publicity and garner only average book sales. The fact that a novel of such radical social opinion and observation was written in a time of conservatism in America made it all the more controversial. Some critics scolded the novel as being too pessimistic or obscene, too harsh for the society of the 1950's. Others, however, nominated Salinger himself as the top-flight "catcher in the rye" for that period in American history (Peterson 3). They argued that Salinger's concerns represented an entire generation of American youth, frustrated by the phoniness of the world, just like Holden was. The popularity of the novel and debate over its redeeming social value have never faltered since its initial publication, due in no large part to the fact that J.D. Salinger is now a recluse. It would be conclusive to say that critics of The Catcher in the Rye have legitimate criticisms of the novel, while advocates and supporters of the story's message also have expressed veritable praise."

Read the following articles (3 sites linked below) to better understand the varying opinions of literary critics.  

Biography:
 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/books/29salinger.html?pagewanted=all

Analysis:
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger1.htm

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/reaching-holden-caulfields-grandchildren/?ref=books

Your Assignment:


1.  Read the literary criticism and bio/eulogy (3 links above.)
2.  Write an well developed paragraph (approximately 100 - 150 words.)  Explain how your understanding of The Catcher... and/or Salinger has changed, positively or negatively, after reading the posted documents. Embed at least one quote in your discussion and refer (agree or disagree) with a comment made by one of your classmates.  


*Please note, The first person to post does not need to refer to another classmate's response.


Enjoy,


Ms. O'Donnell