"The Catcher in the Rye created adolescence as we now know it, a condition that barely existed until Salinger defined it. He established whining rebellion as essential to adolescence and it has remained such ever since.” (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post)
The Catcher in the Rye is a book published by J.D. Salinger in 1951. Originally written for adults, it tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a conflicted young man, who leaves Pencey Prep and goes to New York. Throughout the years, the book has caused a lot of controversy because of its contents and has made a very big impact in modern society. It has been cited after Mark David Chapman's shooting of John Lennon (who was arrested with his worn copy of the book, which had a scribbled note inside: “This is my statement, From Holden Caulfield.”); Robert John Bardo's shooting of Rebecca Schaeffer, and Arthur Bremer’s assassination attempt on George Wallace. We think that the Catcher in the Rye should not be taught in schools because it encourages irresponsibility, teenage rebellion and profanity, among others.
As James S. Coleman once said, “If we refuse to accept as inevitable the irresponsibility and educational unconcern of the adolescent culture, then this poses a serious challenge.” Throughout the story, Holden is portrayed as an irresponsible character. He lost his school’s fencing equipment on the subway in New York, is flunking many subjects in school, and as a consequence has been expelled once again. It has been proved in many cases that students have taken Holden Caulfield as a role model. Shelley Keller-Gage, a high school teacher who faced objections after assigning the novel in her class, noted that the students "are being just like Holden... They are trying to be catchers in the rye”.
Most teenagers, at some point in their lives, will openly defy the advice and authority of their parents and other figures of this sort. This is known as teenage rebellion, and even though it is common in the majority of young adults, Holden handles it in all the wrong ways. He gets involved with unhealthy habits such as underage smoking and drinking, skipping school and lying to his parents, among others. The purpose of this course of action is for the adolescent to “find his own place in this world”, and learn to distinguish right from wrong. However, this book sets a wrong example for students facing the same situation, given that it promotes this kind of behavior and makes a paradigm out of the main character of the story.
Why would someone teach a novel filled with bad words, when teachers generally punish students who use them? Profanity can be seen all over the story. Holden is constantly insulting, showing disrespect and being rude and vulgar. Studies have shown that swearing occasionally is rather good for the person who does it, especially when he or she is hurt. However, it is a different situation for someone who uses this type of language on a regular basis, such as Holden. Psychologist Richard Stephens of Keele University in England, who led one of these studies, has said: "I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear. However, overuse of swear words tends to diminish their beneficial effect” . Using profanity in a novel can make it somewhat amusing, yet in the case of those taught in schools for adolescent students (who are clearly under age), it is not proper to use this form of speech. Things young adults learn, are likely to never be forgotten.
Indeed a case can be made that "The Catcher in the Rye" had a big influence on adolescence as we now know it, a condition that barely existed until Salinger defined it and established whining rebellion as an essential part of the concept as well. However, even though 50 years ago the novel was considered edgy and controversial, today it lacks of the shock value it once had and has lost some of its critical status as well. Therefore, we believe that it should not be taught in schools given that, as it has been previously stated, it encourages irresponsibility, teenage rebellion and profanity. We cannot expose our children to this kind of behavior… We cannot let them become little Catchers in the Rye…
jueves, 17 de marzo de 2011
martes, 1 de marzo de 2011
"Argumetns for why Cather in the Rye shouldn't be tought in schools"
Holden is the complete opposite of what a role model should be:
- He uses bad language.
- He smokes.
- He drinks alcoholic beverages.
- Doesn't care about school.
- Flirts with his friends' mothers.
- He is irresponsible.
- He's very agressive.
The book encourages topics such as:
- Pre- marital sex
- Under age drinking
- Smoking
- Drugs
- Irresponsibility
- Teenage rebelion.
- Profanity (words expressions, gestures, social behaviora that are interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, etc.)
When Holden writes a composition for Stradlater we learn about his brother Allie’s death. How you think Allie’s death affected him?
Allie was Holden's brother, he was two year younger than him. He got leukemia and died at a very young age. The night Allie died Holden broke all the windows in the garage and we was only 13 when that happened.
We think it affected him because it seems that they got along really well, and after this tragic event everything started to go downhill for Holden. He started to loose interest in school, his family and even himself.
We think it affected him because it seems that they got along really well, and after this tragic event everything started to go downhill for Holden. He started to loose interest in school, his family and even himself.
miércoles, 16 de febrero de 2011
Questions from chapters 5-9
Chapter 5.
1. Who is Allie and why is his baseball mitt so special to holden?
Allie is Holden's brother. His baseball mitt is so special to him because Allie, who was two years younger than him, wrote all over it poems in green ink, so he had something to read while he was in the field and no one was up at bat. He got leukemia and died.
2. Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed?
Because the night Allie died he broke all the windows in the garage, he was only 13 when that happened.
Chapter 6
1. What does Stradlater criticize Holden for?
He criticizes him for doing everything backwards and not doing anythin the way he is supposed to.
2. Why is Holden so concerned about whar happened with Jane Gallagher and Stradlater? What does this possibly reveal about Holden?
Because they used to be friends and neighbors when they were younger and this reveals that Holden has a crush on Jane.
3. What does Holden and Stradlater fight over?
Holden got jealous because Stradlater had a date with Jane.
4- What does Holden put on after the fight? Have we seen him put thin on before?
He put on his hunting hat, which he was wearing when Ackley visited him at his room.
Chapter 7
1. Holden decides to go visit Ackley. How is he received buy Ackley?
He's lying on his bed in the dark with white stuff on his face and "trying" to sleep.
2. What is he thinking about while lying in bed?
Holden was thinking about Jane and the fight he had with Stradlater because of the date he had with Jane and what could have possibly happen in the car between them.
3. Why doesn't Holden want to stay at Pencey anymore?
He didn't want to hang around anymore, it made him too sad and lonesome.
4. Where does Holden then decide to go?
To New York and then to his home.
5. What is his final goodbye to Pencey Prep?
"Sleep tight, ya morons". He woke everyone up and someone threw him peanut shells.
6. Why do you think Holden was crying when he left?
He was sad and dissapointed because he was leaving behind an important part of his life. Even though he said he didn't like Pencey, he really did because he was sad to leave.
Chapter 8
1.What does Holden think of Mrs. Morrow?
He thinks she's a nice person and has a lot of sex appeal.
2. What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow?
He tells her his name is Rudolf Schmidt, that he still goes to Pencey, he said some lies about Ernest. Also he lies about the reason blood is coming out of his nose.
3. Why do you think he tells her these things?
Because he likes her and want to impress her.
4. "But I wouldn't visit... Morrow if for all the dough in the world, even if I was desperate." Desperate for what? Is Holden desperate?
He's desperate because he feels lonely and doesn't have a lot of friends.
Chapter 9
1. Sally Haye's mother says that Holden "was wild and that he had no direction in life". Would you agree? Why?
We do agree because he has been expelled from different schools and doesn't take anything seriously.
2. The cab driver thinks Holden is kind of crazy for asking him a certain question. What is this question? Is it a question that he has been concerned before?
He asks where the ducks go when the lake gets frozen.
3. What's so terrible about the bellboy? What does this reveal about Holden's character?
The bellboy was around 65 years old and he was bold. Holden says that even though if he wasn't intelligent it was terrible to carry people's suitcases and wait for a tip. It reveals that he is afraid to end up like that and that he criticizes a lot.
4. What kind of person is Faith Cavendish?
She wasn't a whore but didn't mind to do it once in a while. She used to be a burlesque stripper.
5. Holden calls other people phony. Does he count as one sometimes as well?
Yes, he is phony because sometimes he pretends to be someone he isn't.
We find out a lot about Holden through his reactions to and thoughts about Jane Gallagher. What do we discover about Holden's character?
Do you like or not like Holden so far? Why?
We don´t like Holden so much because we think he lies a lot and he doesn´t care about things or people.
We also think that he is a person that doesn´t appreciates things, like his family, his friends and the opportunity of going to a boarding school.
Why doesn´t Holden like school? Why is he failing? Is he dumb?
We don´t think he is dumb, in fact he seems as someone that really knows what he´s doing and someone that can get interested in what he does. The problem is that he doesn´t seem interested in school issues.
Is Holden writing his story, or do you think what you´re reading is him narrating it? Why?
We think that he is writing his story. Because there are a lot of feelings and details that look real and that they would seem that real if they weren´t happening in that precise moment of his life.
1. Who is Allie and why is his baseball mitt so special to holden?
Allie is Holden's brother. His baseball mitt is so special to him because Allie, who was two years younger than him, wrote all over it poems in green ink, so he had something to read while he was in the field and no one was up at bat. He got leukemia and died.
2. Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed?
Because the night Allie died he broke all the windows in the garage, he was only 13 when that happened.
Chapter 6
1. What does Stradlater criticize Holden for?
He criticizes him for doing everything backwards and not doing anythin the way he is supposed to.
2. Why is Holden so concerned about whar happened with Jane Gallagher and Stradlater? What does this possibly reveal about Holden?
Because they used to be friends and neighbors when they were younger and this reveals that Holden has a crush on Jane.
3. What does Holden and Stradlater fight over?
Holden got jealous because Stradlater had a date with Jane.
4- What does Holden put on after the fight? Have we seen him put thin on before?
He put on his hunting hat, which he was wearing when Ackley visited him at his room.
Chapter 7
1. Holden decides to go visit Ackley. How is he received buy Ackley?
He's lying on his bed in the dark with white stuff on his face and "trying" to sleep.
2. What is he thinking about while lying in bed?
Holden was thinking about Jane and the fight he had with Stradlater because of the date he had with Jane and what could have possibly happen in the car between them.
3. Why doesn't Holden want to stay at Pencey anymore?
He didn't want to hang around anymore, it made him too sad and lonesome.
4. Where does Holden then decide to go?
To New York and then to his home.
5. What is his final goodbye to Pencey Prep?
"Sleep tight, ya morons". He woke everyone up and someone threw him peanut shells.
6. Why do you think Holden was crying when he left?
He was sad and dissapointed because he was leaving behind an important part of his life. Even though he said he didn't like Pencey, he really did because he was sad to leave.
Chapter 8
1.What does Holden think of Mrs. Morrow?
He thinks she's a nice person and has a lot of sex appeal.
2. What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow?
He tells her his name is Rudolf Schmidt, that he still goes to Pencey, he said some lies about Ernest. Also he lies about the reason blood is coming out of his nose.
3. Why do you think he tells her these things?
Because he likes her and want to impress her.
4. "But I wouldn't visit... Morrow if for all the dough in the world, even if I was desperate." Desperate for what? Is Holden desperate?
He's desperate because he feels lonely and doesn't have a lot of friends.
Chapter 9
1. Sally Haye's mother says that Holden "was wild and that he had no direction in life". Would you agree? Why?
We do agree because he has been expelled from different schools and doesn't take anything seriously.
2. The cab driver thinks Holden is kind of crazy for asking him a certain question. What is this question? Is it a question that he has been concerned before?
He asks where the ducks go when the lake gets frozen.
3. What's so terrible about the bellboy? What does this reveal about Holden's character?
The bellboy was around 65 years old and he was bold. Holden says that even though if he wasn't intelligent it was terrible to carry people's suitcases and wait for a tip. It reveals that he is afraid to end up like that and that he criticizes a lot.
4. What kind of person is Faith Cavendish?
She wasn't a whore but didn't mind to do it once in a while. She used to be a burlesque stripper.
5. Holden calls other people phony. Does he count as one sometimes as well?
Yes, he is phony because sometimes he pretends to be someone he isn't.
We find out a lot about Holden through his reactions to and thoughts about Jane Gallagher. What do we discover about Holden's character?
Holden is a really agressive guy and doesn't take anything seriously, but when it comes to Jane his whole attitude changes.
Usually he talks a lot about sex and making out with girls, but with Jane he's different, he really likes her. "I really got to know her quite intimately" (J.D. Salinger, 76). "You don't always have to get too sexy to get to know a girl". (J.D. Salinger, 76)
Also he got in a fight with Stradlater because of her, we could say that when it comes to the people that he cares he would do anything to protect them.
Holden likes everything about her, even the little things, like holding hands with her. "That doesn't sound like much, I realize, but she was terrific to hold hands with." (J.D. Salinger, 79)
In the inside Holden is a really sweet guy, even though he doesn't show it. With Jane he doesn't have to pretend or worry. "You never even worried, with Jane. All you knew was, you were happy. You really were." (J.D. Salinger, 79)
Do you like or not like Holden so far? Why?
We don´t like Holden so much because we think he lies a lot and he doesn´t care about things or people.
We also think that he is a person that doesn´t appreciates things, like his family, his friends and the opportunity of going to a boarding school.
Why doesn´t Holden like school? Why is he failing? Is he dumb?
We don´t think he is dumb, in fact he seems as someone that really knows what he´s doing and someone that can get interested in what he does. The problem is that he doesn´t seem interested in school issues.
Is Holden writing his story, or do you think what you´re reading is him narrating it? Why?
We think that he is writing his story. Because there are a lot of feelings and details that look real and that they would seem that real if they weren´t happening in that precise moment of his life.
jueves, 10 de febrero de 2011
Writing assignment
Why doesn't Holden like school? Why is he failing? Is he dumb?
Holden is not dumb, he is just really lazy and that's the reason why he is failing.
He has been expelled from many different schools and isn't really interested on finishing his education.
He has shown to be a smart guy, but because of his irresponsibility and lack of interest and dedication, he's not as succesful as he could be at school.
Holden is not dumb, he is just really lazy and that's the reason why he is failing.
He has been expelled from many different schools and isn't really interested on finishing his education.
He has shown to be a smart guy, but because of his irresponsibility and lack of interest and dedication, he's not as succesful as he could be at school.
Living on our own
We would like to live in Irvine, California. Address 12204 Virtuoso Irvine. It would cost us $1500 / per month.
We would both work in Abercrombie and Fitch as assistant store manager and each of us would earn $2264 per month.
We would spend around $100 per month in water, $800 in food, electricity $100, gas $50 and $150 for Internet, cable and landline.
Making it a total of $2700 per month. Leaving us with $1828 left for extras.
"Who wrote Holden Caulfield"
• Purple- Song lyrics “Who wrote Holden Caulfield”
• Black- Quotes from the book “The catcher in the rye”
• Blue- Explanation
“There's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazy”- After the school kicked him out he went to his room and hung out doing nothing. “They kicked me out. I wasn’t supposed to come back after Christmas vacation, on account of I was flunking four subjects and not applying myself and all.” (Salinger, 4)
“There's no motivation and frustration makes him crazy”- Holden considered the people around him at Elkton Hill’s “phony” and since he didn’t want to be with them he decided to give up and quit. “I didn’t have too much difficulty at Elkton Hills... I didn’t exactly flunk out or anything. I just quit, sort of” (Salinger, 13)
“Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quitting”- Old Spencer tried to transmit Holden some responsibility, reminding him it’s a different world out there when you are on your own. “I’d like to put some sense in that head of yours, boy. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you if I can.” (Salinger, 14)
“Well it hasn't been the first time, and it sure does drive me mad” – He has been expelled from other schools before. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe you also had some difficulty at the Whooton School and at Elkton Hills.” (Salinger, 13)
Michelle Siano and Tamara Gutverg.
• Black- Quotes from the book “The catcher in the rye”
• Blue- Explanation
“There's a boy who fogs his world and now he's getting lazy”- After the school kicked him out he went to his room and hung out doing nothing. “They kicked me out. I wasn’t supposed to come back after Christmas vacation, on account of I was flunking four subjects and not applying myself and all.” (Salinger, 4)
“There's no motivation and frustration makes him crazy”- Holden considered the people around him at Elkton Hill’s “phony” and since he didn’t want to be with them he decided to give up and quit. “I didn’t have too much difficulty at Elkton Hills... I didn’t exactly flunk out or anything. I just quit, sort of” (Salinger, 13)
“Someone help him up or he's gonna end up quitting”- Old Spencer tried to transmit Holden some responsibility, reminding him it’s a different world out there when you are on your own. “I’d like to put some sense in that head of yours, boy. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you if I can.” (Salinger, 14)
“Well it hasn't been the first time, and it sure does drive me mad” – He has been expelled from other schools before. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe you also had some difficulty at the Whooton School and at Elkton Hills.” (Salinger, 13)
Michelle Siano and Tamara Gutverg.
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