Wednesday, March 25, 2015

J.D. Salinger

 


Born on January 1, 1919, in New York, J.D. Salinger was a literary giant despite his slim body of work and reclusive lifestyle. His landmark novel, The Catcher in the Rye, set a new course for literature in post-WWII America and vaulted Salinger to the heights of literary fame. In 1953, Salinger moved from New York City and led a secluded life, only publishing one new story before his death.
Despite his apparent intellect, Salinger—or Sonny as he was known as child—wasn't much of a student. After flunking out of the McBurney School near his home in New York's Upper West Side, he was shipped off by his parents to Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Figurative Language

In the book their are several different examples of figurative language. through out the book holden uses several metaphors, such as on page 10 he discribes living with Old Spencer as living in a museum. "He bored me to death, living with him was like living in a museum. It was drafty, full of vast open spaces and slippery Floors" (10)

Another he describes his living with old Spencer "At times i felt like his prostitute and i'm sure on occasion he probably felt that way too". (10)  he's describing how he feels himself being bought for his labors.

He said, in one part, that a woman's body is like a violin and all, and that it takes a terrific musician to play it right" (93).  The comparison between the two is a funny yet clever.

Themes

Innocence: He talk about himself as a big sex maniac, but really he is still a virgin. He can never bring himself to have sex with a prostitute. One question is. Why is Holden so obsessed with innocence? Who seems innocent to him?

Sadness: Depressed or depressing occurs 41 times in this book, and happy only 5 times. Holden is most happy
at the end of chapter twenty-five, while he watches his sister Phoebe go around on the carousel. In fact, he's so happy that he's "damn near bawling." What's up with that? Why does this, of all things make him happy?

Lies and Deceit: Phony occurs 47 times in this book, Holden calls people this when he doesn't like them. In the story he uses the word "phony" quit often. when he uses the word Phony to describe people, I believe he more or less has ignorance for the word. Other people are more understanding with the grip on growing up then he is.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Characters

Holden Caulield: protagonist and the narrator of the novel, he is a trouble and unreliable narrator. He has a hard time connecting to other people. he is haunted by past traumas in his life like loosing his brother Allie. He is very critical he will criticize any one, he is a virgin and he is very interested in sex. "All morons hate it when you call them morons."

Allie Caulielf: Holden's younger brother died when he was 11.When Holden needs help he will sometimes speaks to Allie

Phoebe Caulield: She is Holden's little sister, she understands him more than anyone else. She is the picture of Holden's childhood. Talking to Holden "You don't like anything that is happening."

Mr. Antolini: He is Holden's former English teacher. He understand and respects Holden more than other teachers. "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he to live humbly for one."

Jane Gallagher: Her and Holden spend a summer together, but never appears in the novel The Catcher in The Rye. She is very imported to Holden, and one of the few women that he respects, and thinks she is attractive.





Setting

New York

The Catcher in the Rye takes place in New York somewhere between the year 1948-1949, the whole story only take place over 3 days Saturday to Monday. New York to Holden represents a land of phonies, everyone is a phony. During this time in history puts the story in the middle of post World War II era, supposedly you could say Holden is a product of the war. Holden does talk about the war somewhat talking about the atomic bomb, the post war and the post bomb thus causing a , "loss of innocence". 


- Camie Lawing.


Thursday, March 19, 2015

Symbols




Holden's Red Hunting Cap: This cap brings a sense of comfort to Holden when he wears it and doesn't feel recognizable. The hat was bought the day he lost the fencing equipment. It symbolizes Holden's interests in unique and strange objects.

Allie's Baseball Glove: There are poems written in this Baseball Glove so when Allie gets bored during baseball he has something to read. This represents the love from the Caulfield brothers.

The Ducks at the Park: Holden has a strange interest in the ducks and where they are going during winter. The ducks represent Phoebe in a way, because Phoebe is another name for a bird and it represents her child free mind. 

The Museum of Natural History: Holden loves going to the museum because the exhibits never change unlike people do all around him.    

Preparatory School Life: Holden hates his boarding school and the people in it, but when he leaves he finds that he actually misses everyone from the school.

The Gray Hair: Holden grows a little gray hair, it represents his fear of growing up and changing. This hair allows him to get into bars because he looks older than he really is. 







Camie Lawing