Since his debut in 1951, Holden Caulfield — the funny, complex, wry protagonist of J.D. Salinger's classic The Catcher in the Rye — has given voice to generations of teenagers caught between childhood and the adult world.
One of the most censored books in recent U.S. history, The Catcher in the Rye
is now a staple of many high school and college curricula. It's the
coming-of-age story of 16-year-old Caulfield, who has flunked out of
his prep school and is disillusioned with the world.
Your Assignment:
1. Select a song that
captures one of the many complex aspects of Holden's personality. In
your post, provide the lyrics to your selected song. If there is a profanity in the song, please indicate and remove
the word so that this maintains the academic tone of an extended
classroom conversation. (If you would like to focus on a different character or on Salinger, himself, please explain your reasoning.)
2. Provide a brief (approximately 200 words) explanation for your choice.
3. Do not use the same song as any of your classmates.
This must be posted by 1/8/15
"Miserable At Best"
ReplyDeleteKatie, don't cry, I know
You're trying your hardest
And the hardest part is letting go
Of the nights we shared
Ocala is calling
And you know it's haunting
But compared
To your eyes,
Nothing shines
Quite as bright
And when we look to the sky,
It's not mine,
But I want it so
Let's not pretend like you're alone tonight
(I know he's there and)
You're probably hanging out and making eyes
(while across the room he stares)
I'll bet he gets the nerve to walk the floor
And ask my girl to dance, and she'll say yes
Because these words were never easier for me to say
Or her to second guess
But I guess
That I can live without you but
Without you I'll be miserable at best
You're all that I hoped to find
In every single way
And everything I would give
Is everything you couldn't take
'Cause nothing feels like home,
You're a thousand miles away
And the hardest part of living
Is just taking breaths to stay
'Cause I know I'm good for something
I just haven't found it yet
But I need it
So let's not pretend like you're alone tonight
(I know he's there and)
You're probably hanging out and making eyes
(while across the room he stares)
I'll bet he gets the nerve to walk the floor
And ask my girl to dance, and she'll say yes
Because these words were never easier for me to say
Or her to second guess
But I guess
That I can live without you but
Without you I'll be miserable at best
Ladada ladada ladadaoh ohhh
And this'll be the first time in a week
That I'll talk to you
And I can't speak
It's been three whole days since I've had sleep
'Cause I dream of his lips on your cheek
And I got the point that I should leave you alone
But we both know that I'm not that strong
And I miss the lips that made me fly
So let's not pretend like you're alone tonight
(I know he's there and)
You're probably hanging out and making eyes
(while across the room he stares)
I'll bet he gets the nerve to walk the floor
And ask my girl to dance, and she'll say yes
Because these words were never easier for me to say
Or her to second guess
But I guess
That I can live without you but
Without you I'll be miserable
And I can live without you
But without you I'll be miserable
And I can live without you
Oh, without you I'll be miserable at best
The song “Miserable at Best” by Mayday Parade makes me think of Holden’s feeling after he finds out that Stradlater took Jane Gallagher out on a date and then his thoughts about her after the date took place. Even though they never dated officially, it is clear Holden has deep feelings for her and maybe even loves her. Many times when he gets low he starts to reminisce about the relationship between the two of them. I mean they never had a very physical relationship but once when he saw that Jane was upset he went and sat next to her which caused her to start crying hard, so Holden kissed her all over her face. Holden was okay when he didn't know what she was doing because her memory was perfectly preserved. However, when he found out that she went with out with Stradlater, he couldn't stand the idea of the girl he cares so deeply for going out with someone out, especially Stradlater who Holden knew took advantage of women. Holden thought she was perfect. Despite his normally critical nature, he never had a bad word to day about Jane. I think he’s really sad without her. He’s afraid to admit how much he cares for her but it’s there. He misses her but he’s scared that if he talks to her again things won’t be the same as they were before during that almost perfect summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvS1Yf-ErZI
ReplyDeleteI'm selfish, never didn't think about anyone but myself
I'm careless, never did care about anyone else
You're fearless, never been afraid, don't start that now
Not helpless, never wanna help, then go to hell
Whiskey and wine
Night after night
You haunt me
Losing my mind
Set it on fire
You haunt me
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
Oh oh oh
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
I'm aimless, heading toward nowhere at the speed of light
Still dreamless, now that you're gone I think I lost my fight
Your loose lip, tell me what you think about all last night
You're foolish, follow through a fool like its not that wide
Whiskey and rum
Blood on my tongue
You haunt me
Tonic and gin
Blood's getting thin
You haunt me
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
Oh oh oh
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
Let me down easy now
Something else you'll write about again
Found my way on a plane
Things will never be the same again
Whiskey and rum
Blood on my tongue
You haunt me
Tonic and gin
Blood's getting thin
You haunt me
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
Oh oh oh
I'm never gonna let you go-oh-oh
I'm never gonna gonna let you go
I'm never gonna gonna let you go
I'm never gonna let you go
I picked this song in reference to Holden Caulfield. From the first verse, the lyrics sounds very reminiscent of him. “I'm selfish, never didn't think about anyone but myself. I'm careless, never did care about anyone else”. Holden’s attitude is similar to this, exemplifying his lack of reliability as a narrator. He behaves in such a manner, but the reader is aware that he utilizes this attitude as a defense mechanism. If he’s selfish and only cares for himself, maybe he can rationalize others not caring for him in the way he wants them to.
In the segment, “Whiskey and wine/Night after night/You haunt me” and “Whiskey and rum/Blood on my tongue/You haunt me/Tonic and gin/Blood's getting thin/You haunt me”, the song alludes to Holden’s drinking issues to resolve how he feels though he seems to always go to sleep depressed. He’s haunted by his thoughts concerning his fears of change and becoming an adult. It’s somewhat paradoxical because he acts like an adult from what he’s seen when he drinks alcohol. With the line, “I’m never gonna let you go”, it finishes with Holden’s desire to grasp desperately onto his youth and innocence. The repetition of this only amplifies how much he wishes to stay young.
Wake Up! By Arcade Fire
ReplyDeleteSomethin' filled up
My heart with nothin',
Someone told me not to cry.
Now that I'm older,
My heart's colder,
And I can see that it's a lie.
Children wake up,
Hold your mistake up,
Before they turn the summer into dust.
If the children don't grow up,
Our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up.
We're just a million little god's causin' rain storms turnin' every good thing to rust.
I guess we'll just have to adjust.
With my lightnin' bolts a glowin'
I can see where I am goin' to be
When the reaper he reaches and touches my hand.
With my lightnin' bolts a glowin'
I can see where I am goin'
With my lightnin' bolts a glowin'
I can see where I am go-goin'
You better look down below.
The song “Wake Up!” By Arcade Fire addresses the theme of innocence, and how one loses it. Holden is represented through this song in regards to his desire to rescue the children from the severity of the adult world. Holden’s perspective of the world is as a corrupt and unpleasant place. He sees himself as almost a guardian wanting to forewarn others of the truth of the world. His shift from Pencey Prep to the Edmont Hotel is where he truly experiences the chaos of the outside world. The lyrics of the song exhibit a transition from considerable childhood innocence to adulthood. The perspective of the lyrics is from a reflective tone that comes from adults. The reflection seems to be based on the past regrets that could have easily been prevented. His true message of the song is being unable to block ones emotions while still trying to learn from the mistakes and regrets of the previous generation. The song forewarns the very dangers of ultimately becoming a lost soul. When someone becomes a lost soul they lose the potential to be able to positively impact the world around them. The power of change in which this person holds could possibly become wasted based on past regrets and mistakes.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteIs there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?
Come on now
I hear you're feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again
Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
I have become comfortably numb
O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on, it's time to go.
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb.
I chose the song “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. This is mostly because of Holden Caulfield's lack of ability to understand actual emotion. The song is off one of the best of Floyd’s albums, “The Wall”, and as a result is from a storyline. The song is about a musician getting drugs injected into him by his manager so he can continue his performance. This is not a very healthy experience for him, and the song drifts with him as he goes into a daze. This is similar to the way Holden drifts through his life, trying to find meaning in all of the chaos around him. The song dwells on the singer's childhood, which again call Holden’s own dwelling on his past. The song is also in a very dream like state, which relates to how Holden can’t really see the world clearly either. This is all extremely important to how Holden sees and interacts with his world, showing how clearly the two are related.
"Running If You Call My Name"
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3f3vh9ikFs
I went back to a room
And every memory came rushing back to soon
As I packed my bags and I lied down
I felt the bed sink in and the covers surround (I let go (oh)
Cause with my eyes closed I see the door open wide (oh)
And with my eyes closed I'm leaving it all behind
I will run away if you call my name
And I, I'll keep running if you come my way
And I, will run away if you call my name
And I, I'll keep running if you come my way
When you come my way
I'll keep running if you come my way
Jumped back in a daze
I saw the faces slowly slowly slip away
Let me hide your eyes, it's too bright
And now I'm slipping through the white
Bringing me into cold dark night
And with my eyes closed I see the door open wide
I will run away if you call my name
And I, I'll keep running if you come my way
And I, I will run away if you call my name
I, oh, I'll keep running if you come my way
When you come my way
I'll keep running if you come my way
And with my eyes closed I see the door open wide
(I'll keep running if you come my way)
And with my eyes closed I see the door open wide
(I'll keep running if you come my way)
And with my eyes closed I'm leaving it all behind
I will run away if you call my name
And I, I'll keep running if you come my away
I will run away if you call my name
And I, I'll keep running if you come my way
When you come my way
I'll keep running if you come my way
Keep keep running if you call my name
I'll keep running if you call my name
I chose the song “Running If You Call My Name” by HAIM for it reminded me of Holden’s instinct to get away from everything from time to time. First, the title of the song is closely related to Holden because of his tendency to stay at one place for too long. He’s already been to a few other schools due to flunking out, but maybe it was because he was afraid of building relationships. Additionally, in chapter 2, Holden leaves old Spencer quiet abruptly in order to get away from his berating. He couldn’t stand to hear Spencer talking about life and growing up, hence he left.
Another connection I made to this song was the first verse. The room could be connected to whenever Holden is alone in a room, whether it’s the dorm room at Pencey or at the hotel in New York; he always gets the memory of his younger brother, Allie and thus decides to talk to him in an attempt to keep their relationship close. The memory of his brother’s sudden death was too much to bear, which is one of the many reasons to why he keeps running away and leaving everything behind. He doesn’t want to do it, but he’s afraid of making connections and letting people see him so vulnerable. It’s why he made friends with Jane because of her notion to keep her kings in the back row.
"Demons" by Imagine Dragons
ReplyDeleteWhen the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood’s run stale
I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There’s nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
Don’t get too close
It’s dark inside
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
At the curtain’s call
It's the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you made
Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
Don’t get too close
It’s dark inside
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
They say it's what you make
I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright
I wanna save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
Don’t get too close
It’s dark inside
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide
This song reminded me a bit about Holden because it seemed like lyrics about depressing. Holden seems a bit cold inside, very depressed, and it seems like all of his dreams are failures. In the second stanza in this song, it highlights this idea. The third stanza reminds me about Jane Gallagher because he wants to keep her away from Stradlater and protect her. When Stradlater took her with him, Holden was very angry, seeing as Stradlater did stuff with all the girls he brought with him on dates. This also reminded me about the description of her stepfather, who was a drunk and the specific time that Holden tried to help her through it.
Parts of the lyrics in the song are about not getting too close to the singer. One of the reasons why Holden is depressed is because it is apparent that he hates everyone and doesn’t have friends. Holden cannot seem to let anything go, yet he wants to. He never forgot his brother Allie; he has a permanent wound on the inside because of him. Holden destroyed his hand by punching through glass, and this song is about needing to let go of the past but not wanting to.
The song that I decided presents a clear image of Holden is Numb by Linkin Park. This song captures the essence that Holden feels like he is being forced to fit the image of his other siblings by his parents. When Holden talks about his siblings he mentions how smart and successful his other siblings are compared to him. The comparison of Holden and his siblings is exemplified in the song when it writes “Don’t know what you’re expecting of me, Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes”. What this is explaining is that Holden feels like he is being put under pressure to be this ideal son so that he could fit the image of the rest of his siblings who are seen as brilliant. Then in the chorus of the song, it present “I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there, Become so tired, so much more aware, I’m becoming this, all I want to do, Is be more like me and be less like you”. What this is showing is how Holden wants to be accepted by his parents and by people in general but at the same time feeling that he could be himself.
ReplyDeleteNumb by Linkin Park
DeleteI'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
Can't you see that you're smothering me,
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control?
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take.
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there,
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you.
And I know
I may end up failing too.
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you.
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there,
Become so tired, so much more aware.
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you.
[Chorus:]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
"Riptide" - Sick Puppies
ReplyDeleteYou all hate your children
They're too fat to feed
You're on medication
Taking pills to sleep
I think I'm doing just fine
Compared to what you've been doing
I won't get vaccinated
Insurance costs too much
You think you're so persuasive
But I'm not giving up
Saving my life
It's not what you're doing
I, I won't justify
The way I live my life
'Cause I'm the one livin' it
Feelin' it, tastin' it
And you're just wasting your time
Trying to throw me a line
When you're the one drowning
I like where I'm at on my back
Floating down in my own riptide
The water is fine
I like to step on cracks
I go against the odds
You think my world is flat
Do I turn you on?
Maybe, yeah I'm wrong
But I like where I'm going
I leave when others stay
I never re-decide
I don't mind if you wait
But I don't waste my time
Crazy is just fine
'Cause I like where I'm going
I, I won't justify
The way I live my life
'Cause I'm the one livin' it
Feelin' it, tastin' it
And you're just wasting your time
Trying to throw me a line
When you're the one drowning
I like where I'm at on my back
Floating down in my own riptide
The water is fine
I remember when it used to be easy
I remember when it wasn't so hard
I remember when it used to be easy
I remember when, I remember when
I, I didn't have to justify
The way I live my life
'Cause I'm the one livin' it
Feelin' it, tastin' it
And you're just wasting your time
Trying to throw me a line
When you're the one drowning
I like where I'm at on my back
Floating down in my own riptide
The water is fine
I remember when it used to be easy
I remember when it wasn't so hard
I remember when it used to be easy
I remember when, I remember when
---
So, it's perhaps not a perfect match to Holden. Holden isn't necessarily liking everything that he's doing. But I do feel that the whole "Your way is absurd, and you're trying to bring me back to it" attitude (And you're just wasting your time/Trying to throw me a line/When you're the one drowning) is one that Holden feels very strongly. And I think that the "Y'all are screwed up and I'm special and different" vibe from the verses is also a sentiment that Holden feels. It's not a perfect song for him, but it was certainly the first that came to mind when we started the book.
This song is called “Negative Time” by Jelly Roll Jam. It is a song that none in class has probably heard because my neighbor wrote and performed it with his band. Another song by him (the lyrics don’t match catcher as much) actually has a line that says “Holden Caulfield is holding on. ” Not only do the lyrics remind one of Holden’s struggle with depression, the background story of the song is really what makes this song like Holden Caulfield.
ReplyDeleteMel Bigley was the name of the man whose voice you hear and my neighbor was the nicest man alive. He truly was. He was a magician and a musician. He even started a “secret magic club” among kids on our street and he teached us magic. Unfortunately Mel passed away a few years back from cancer. Similar to Allie, it was unfortunately the best people who fall victim to the horrid disease. As you can tell, the voice of Mel is very calming and I sometimes use his songs when I’m upset or trying to calm down. “Negative Time” is truly one of my favorite songs and it fits the struggles that Holden went through perfectly.
Negative Time
Jelly Roll Jam
It was a cold day in the city,
But the temperature was 95.
It was a long way,
From the front door,
And there was trouble all on my mind.
There was a gypsy,
She’s coming to me,
And not an enemy or a friend.
And she alluded,
To a secret,
For negative handling.
So I played her,
And I paid her,
And a change came,
From round the bend.
I want to tell you,
What she told me,
As she was wringing her hands a-grind.
She said you better get up,
Yeah you better run
yeah yeah yeah yeah
Livin’ on negative time.
And its a harsh wind,
Down the backstreet,
What a strange place, where I live.
And as the sweat pours,
From my body,
I know I’ll never get, what I give.
I do a slow dance,
To the backbeat,
To a little feel-good, now and than.
But I never get back,
But i never get back to the innocence,
And I never can find a frame.
I’m in the back woods,
In a mirror,
And it’s pulling me to my knees,
As the beginning,
Comes nearer,
And it’s killing me, by degrees.
It’s a cold day, In the city,
But the temperature is 95
I think about it,
What’s the difference,
When you're living on negative time?
(Guitar Solo)
Hmmmmmmmm, hmmmm, hmmm, hmmm,
Negative time.
The song that I chose for this assignment is “Never Enough” by Five Finger Death Punch. I chose this song because the lyrics match with the views that Holden associates as being a part of his life. The first few lines of the song discuss an individual that is tired with those around him in which he is forced to communicate with, yet no one understands and bothers to care as to why he is so distant. The song mentions being so distant from everyone and not having the capacity to return, mainly because they feel that there is no reason to.
ReplyDeleteHolden disagreeing with the ideals associated with society figures why be like everyone else if what they do won't really affect the world, he wants to be unique and unusual “In the end we're all just chalk lines on the concrete/Drawn only to be washed away/For the time that I've been given/ I am what I am”.
“Never Enough”
by Five Finger Death Punch
I'm so fed up with everyone around me
No one seems to care
I'm just so far gone and nothing's gonna change
I'll never be the same
It's always do this, do that, everything they want to
I don't wanna live that way (No!)
Every chance they get they're always pushing me away
It's never enough, no it's never enough
No matter what I say
It's never enough, no it's never enough
I'll never be what you want me to be
It's all so messed up and no one ever listens
Everyone's deranged
I'm just so f****d up and I'm never gonna change
I wanna lay it all to waste
They're always say this, say that, nothing that you want to
I don't wanna live that way (No!)
Every chance they get they're always shoving me aside
It's never enough, no it's never enough
No matter what I say
It's never enough, no it's never enough
I'll never be what you want me to be
I'M DONE!
In the end we're all just chalk lines on the concrete
Drawn only to be washed away
For the time that I've been given
I am what I am
I'd rather hate you for everything you are
Than ever love you for something you are not
I'd rather you hate me for everything I am
Than have you love me for something that I can't
It's never enough, it's never enough
No matter what I say
It's never enough, no it's never enough
No matter who I try to be
It's never enough, no it's never enough
No matter how I try to change
It's never enough, never never enough
I'll never be what you want me to be
ReplyDeleteTitle: Drown
Artist Bring me the Horizon
What doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead.
Got a hole in my soul, growing deeper and deeper.
And I can't take one more moment of this silence.
The loneliness is haunting me.
And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up.
It comes in waves, I close my eyes.
Hold my breath and let it bury me.
I'm not okay, and it's not alright.
Won't you drag the lake and bring me home again?
Who will fix me now? Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
Who will make me fight? Drag me out alive?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
What doesn't destroy you, leaves you broken instead.
Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper.
And I can't take one more moment of this silence.
The loneliness is haunting me.
And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up.
It comes in waves, I close my eyes.
Hold my breath and let it bury me.
I'm not okay, and it's not alright
Won't you drag the lake and bring me home again?
Who will fix me now? Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
Who will make me fight? Drag me out alive?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own. Who will fix me now?
Who will fix me now?
Who will fix me now? Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
I chose this song because the lyrics come from a place of the lead singers depression. It really reminds me of Holden because the lyrics of the song include "don't let me drown", this not only remixed me of the fish that the taxi driver was describing, how Holden looks for people to guide him and befriend him, but no one ever does. Both the singer and Holden are depressed and this is very apparent when looking at the lyrics and some of the things that Holden has throughout the story. For example the first line of the song is " what doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead." This reminded me of Holden said that he was thinking about his life and said that he almost wished that he was dead. Both Holden and the lead singer feel like there are pressures on them that they cannot handle, in Holden's case the idea of growing up and being expected to perform and be a phony person in all of these private schools, and in the lead singers case it is when he says "the weight of the worlds getting harder to hold up." The lyrics "save me from myself" also remind me of the constant back and forth battle of Holden's thoughts.
http://youtu.be/Bl6_BsFjlN4
The End of Heartache by Killswitch Engage
ReplyDeletehttp://www.metrolyrics.com/the-end-of-heartache-lyrics-killswitch-engage.html
Seek me, call me
I'll be waiting
Seek me, call me
I'll be waiting
This distance, this dissolution
I cling to memories while falling
Sleep brings release, and the hope of a new day
Waking the misery of being without you
Surrender, I give in
Another moment is another eternity
(Seek me)
For comfort
(Call me)
For solace
(I'll be waiting)
For the end of my broken heart
(Seek me)
Completion
(Call me)
I'll be waiting
(I'll be waiting)
For the end of my broken heart
You know me, you know me all too well
My only desire, to bridge our division
In sorrow I speak your name
And my voice mirrors, mirrors my torment
(Seek me)
For comfort
(Call me)
For solace
(I'll be waiting)
For the end of my broken heart
(Seek me)
Completion
(Call me)
I'll be waiting
(I'll be waiting)
For the end of my broken heart
Am I breathing?
My strength fails me
Your picture, a bitter memory
For comfort, for solace
(Seek me)
For comfort
(Call me)
For solace
(I'll be waiting)
For the end of my broken heart
The song that reminds me the most of Holden Caulfield is by a Metalcore band Killswitch Engage, and the song is “The End of Heartache”. For this song I wanted to focus on a point of similarity on a sort of personal level between Holden and myself. With that being said, I chose to focus on his depression and the sense of loss he feels and the struggles of maintaining motivation and essentially will, or to connect back to the novel The Grapes of Wrath, the concept of Manself in a sense (not necessarily contained to just men but the concept of the spirit which one keeps hope and the will to move forward). For Holden the question of how the ducks are able to come and go, and where they go puzzles him, it’s a never ending cycle for him because it connects him and his brother Allie, of which he has a very very strong bond with. Holden expresses his depression in the questioning of the ducks and in his deceased brother. In the first stanza of this song its lyrics are about the agony of being without someone. It describes how a persons will tend to “cling to memories” and how time is unforgiving, “Another moment is eternity”. In the chorus the lyrics start with, “(Seek me) For comfort (Call me) For solace (I'll be waiting) For the end of my broken heart…” I feel that these words are a direct extension of Holden's thoughts during these times of depression. The first couple of words speak of seeking someone they care about, which is exactly what Holden does, he seeks allie, he seeks allie for comfort.
ReplyDelete"Lasso"
Where would you go
Not long ago
I’ve been thinking out loud
Was it suddenly
Do-do-don’t you know
Don’t do it but you do it
What you do to me
Forever is a long long time
When you lost your way
Trying to follow your ideals (are sorry)
But your so-called life
It is such a waste
When you realize
No you don’t realize
What you say yes to
What you say yes to
Where would you go [x2]
With a lasso
Could you run into [x2]
Could you go and run into me
Where would you go [x2]
Tied up to a lasso
Could you run into [x2]
Could you go and run into me
So lonely so pretty
Such a lack of diplomacy you can’t get out
Do-don’t you know
Don’t do it what you do it
You should do to me
Far our so far out
Such a fall out of lonely
That you’re lonely
Going not so well [x2]
Where would you go [x2]
With a lasso
Could you run into [x2]
Could you go and run into me
Where would you go [x2]
Tied up to a lasso
Could you run into [x2]
Could you go and run into me
When you realize
No you don’t realize
What you say yes to
What you say yes to
Forever is a long long time
When you lost your way
Forever is a long long time
When you lost your way
I chose this song to resemble Holden Caulfield and it parallels his discourse on the track of life. Throughout the book, Holden is shown to be a lonely character, party his own, and partly because of his past. Even in the beginning of the book, he says to Mr. Spencer that he feels trapped on “the other side” of life, and tries to fit into a world that he feels like an outcast in. This is shown in the song by “such a lack of diplomacy you can’t get out”, which essentially shows that his relations with the world around him have not been good. Yes he tries to adapt to people, but he identifies many as phony, and even finds the faults and phoniness that carry. It is with this that he begins to ponder where do others end up?
Holdens curiosity thus leads to the question “where do the ducks go in Central Park?” In the deeper level of this, he questions the adaptation and fate of creatures and beings in the world around him. Additionally, the ducks perseverance in an obsolete and inauspicious environment leads to the pondering of Holden’s understanding of his own situation. In short, his life has been pretty fragile and straying from inner motivation, which ultimately stemmed from events like Allie’s death. Furthermore, Holden has been discovering more about himself. It can be noted that his parents likely had more aspirations than he did, and wanted him to follow their ideals. Their lack of communication may have also contributed to the cyclical downward spiral of his life, boarding school after boarding school, and finally having to cope with all that he has lost. In the song, the band mentions “Forever is a long long time when you lost your way trying to follow your ideals (are sorry)”, which reveals Holden in that he questions his future, and how much longer it will take when he is lost in his parents apparent ideals. Lastly, the ducks of the pond are similar in the birds in that “Mother Nature” or darwinistic adaptations to help provide for a successful fate of the fish. Holden is stuck in the past, and cannot escape from the barriers he has laid for himself. “Forever is a long long time when you lost your way”, indeed this follows for Holden, as he is stuck in his ways, and finally begins to look for the paths others take in life.
"Lasso" by Phoenix*
Delete"Coming Undone" by Korn
ReplyDeleteKeep holding on
When my brain's tickin' like a bomb
Guess the black thoughts have come Again to get me
Sweet bitter words
Unlike nothing I have heard
Sing along mocking bird
You don't affect me
That's right
Deliverance of my heart
Please strike
Be deliberate
[Chorus]
Wait
I'm coming undone
Irate
I'm coming undone
Too late
I'm coming undone
One looks so strong
So delicate
Wait
I'm starting to suffocate
And soon I anticipate
I'm coming undone
One looks so strong
So delicate
Choke choke again
I thought my demons were my friends
Getting me in the end
They're out to get me
Since I was young
I've tasted sorrow on my tongue
And this sweet sugar gun
Does not protect me
That's right
Trigger between my eyes
Please strike
Make it quick now
[Chorus]
I'm trying to hold it together
Head is lighter than a feather
Looks like I'm not getting better
Not getting better
[Chorus]
I chose this song because it sums up Holden pretty well in terms of confusion and a startling amount of conflicting thoughts. This song, I believe, does well putting those together. Also, the name of the song (as well as the chorus) “coming undone” is very much part of Holden’s character over all. He’s bouncing between being pained and being numb. You can also see this general buildup of pressure as the story moves along. The way he explains his emotions and the times he does seem to get more expressive each time and over all needier. Furthermore, there’s the quote about tasting “sorrow” at a young age. Holden did go through this when he lost Allie and 17 is a somewhat young age, let alone his age when the family actually lost Allie.
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ReplyDeleteThe song I chose was “Trouble” by Coldplay. This was for a few reasons; mainly the major themes of depression and guilt in the song. For example, the line, “And I lost my head/The thought of all the stupid things I’d said” relates to how Holden, despite claiming he doesn’t care about much of anything, is actually very self-loathing. For various reasons, he overthinks things, and it’s sort of hinted at that he might have some kind of social anxiety, making it likely that he does think again and again about his apparent lacking in ability to connect with others. This is a major theme in the book as well - Holden feels isolated, and again and again tries to find companionship but to no avail, due to how he acts towards others. Holden also feels trapped in his current situation. The idea of a spider web is repeated again and again in this song. This would exemplify how Holden would like nothing more than to escape, but simply cannot. Also, in the same way Holden is stuck, he is also stuck in the sort of downward spiral/cry for help he finds himself in. Another thing that is repeated over and over again are the lines “And I never meant to cause you trouble/And I never meant to do you wrong”, which would suggest very strongly how Holden feels about Allie, his dead brother. Holden feels a great deal of survivor’s guilt over his brother’s death, and though he always loved his brother, Holden did the dumb things that all older siblings will do to their younger ones. But because Allie is dead, Holden overestimates how terrible his behavior was, and feels the need to constantly apologize to try and make up for this. Furthermore, the final lines, repeated four times, “They spun a web for me” would connect to the idea that Holden feels things are out of his control. He did not, in his mind, exactly cause the horrible situation he is in now. Instead, the world is out to get him. Finally, the song, even without lyrics, is simply slow and quiet, exemplifying how Holden feels at this point.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, I see
A spider web, it's tangled up with me,
And I lost my head,
The thought of all the stupid things I'd said,
Oh, no, what's this?
A spider web, and I'm caught in the middle,
So I turned to run,
The thought of all the stupid things I've done,
And I never meant to cause you trouble,
And I never meant to do you wrong,
And I, well, if I ever caused you trouble,
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm.
Oh, no, I see
A spider web, and it's me in the middle,
So I twist and turn,
Here am I in my little bubble,
Singing out...
I never meant to cause you trouble,
And I never meant to do you wrong,
And I, well, if I ever caused you trouble,
Oh, no, I never meant to do you harm.
They spun a web for me,
They spun a web for me,
They spun a web for me.
He wakes up early today
ReplyDeleteThrows on a mask that will alter his face
Nobody knows his real name
But now he just uses one he saw on a grave
He pretends that he's okay
But you should see
Him in bed late at night, he's petrified
Take me out, and finish this waste of a life
Everyone gather around for a show
Watch as this man disappears as we know
Do me a favor and try to ignore
As you watch him fall through a bleeding trapdoor
He thinks that faith might be dead
Nothing kills a man faster than his own head
He used to see dreams at night
But now he's just watching the backs of his eyes
He pretends that he's okay
But you should see
Him in bed late at night, he's petrified
Take me out, and finish this waste of a life
Everyone gather around for a show
Watch as this man disappears as we know
Do me a favor and try to ignore
As you watch him fall through a bleeding trapdoor
Take me out, and finish this waste of a life
Everyone gather around for a show
Watch as this man disappears as we know
Do me a favor and try to ignore
When you watch him fall through a bleeding trapdoor
'Cause nobody knows he's alive
"Creep" By: Radiohead
ReplyDeleteWhen you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so very special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What am I doin' here?
I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're so very special
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What am I doin' here?
I don't belong here, oh, oh
She's runnin' out the door
She's runnin' out
She run, run, run, run
Run
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so very special
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What am I doin' here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I chose the song “Creep” by Radiohead because this song reminds me of Holden. Holden pretty much finds everyone to be phony and annoying besides his sister Phoebe. The part of the lyric that says “You’re so very special” reminds me of how Holden feels about Phoebe. Phoebe seems to be Holden’s favorite person and he holds her really high up because of how she’s able to understand.
Holden tends to have self destructive behavior such as flunking school even though he knows what to do. The line “I don’t care if it hurts. I wanna have control,” reminds me of the self destructive behavior that Holden has. He doesn’t really care how it affects him and he has control of his own life and no one else is controlling him because of his lack of structure.
The chorus mostly reminds me of “But I’m creep, I’m a weirdo. What am I doing here? I don’t belong here.” This reminds me of when Holden asks the taxi driver where the ducks go when it’s cold. He doesn’t feel that he belongs in a world of phonies. But he doesn’t exactly know where he belongs.
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ReplyDelete