Please complete all blog posts pertaining to Catcher in the Rye in the comments section of this thread. Blog posts are assigned weekly for the duration of the Lit Circle, and are due by 10pm on Thursday nights.
Students posting in this thread will be: Lisa, Olivia, Cailin, & Kaitlyn
Happy Reading!
11 comments:
So far, I find within the story, particuraly within Holden, a sense of futility concerning life. While Holden gets his kicks by horsing around and practicing his expert lying skills, the reader comes to understand that it is meaningless activity used to fill the void of boredom that encircles him. Holden's narrative includes phrases such as "People never believe you." and "People never notice anything." that support this assertion.So, heres a good starter question for ya'll: Do you agree with my assertion and have you noticed any strikig characteristics of Holden that might credit or discredit it?
I agree with you Cailin, this book is depressing me :( Holden even lies to those who want the best for him like Mr. Spencer. Holden seems very pessimistic to me. I am thinking that throughout the book we will follow Holden as he tries to determine his purpose for life.... Thoughts anyone?
Yeah I completely agree. It's hard for me to connect with Holden because he's so pessimistic and go easily irratated. It just seems like he believes that the world is against him from day one. I don't really like him as a character.
I find that all of you don't like him kind of funny, but not surprising. I actually really like him as a character. Not that I approve of all of his behavior, but I feel that I understand where he's coming from. I think I'm more pessimistic than the average person and I find the dry humor entertaining, although I can see how relating to him is hard.
I am beginning to see the gold behind the iron in Holden's character. I still think that his reasoning behind his actions is wrong and pointless, but every once in awhile he hits on something big. Important quirks of humanities finer qualities sometimes chance to cross his mind. When they do, I begin to believe in Holden's future. Do you think that, by the end of the story, the good will prevail, or will he be ruled by his impulsive actions?
I do think Holden can be funny, especially when he is constantly contradicting himself. I think deep down he is a good guy but it kind of seems like he doesn't want to be. Has anyone else noticed that? What do you think?
Yeah, I'm starting to like Holden as a narrator because the way he tells his story is entertaining. And some of the remarks he makes are hilarious.
Yeah I do think that Holden is a good guy underneath all the crap he sells to everyone else. Especially when he talks about his previous sex situations with girls and how he stopped when they asked him too. I also think that the way he describes himself to the reader is not accurate. For example, in the Lavender Room, Holden talks about how much older he looks and how smooth he is at getting drinks, yet the waiter refuses to believe him. Also, he talks about how much older he looks and how he can be "sexy" and stuff, yet the three girls at the other table still laugh in his face and mock him. Also, when he first invites Sunny in, he mentions how "suave as hell" (93) he sounded, but Sunny was "unfriendly" to him and didn't seem phased at all. Neither did Faith Cavendish when he called her and acted all smooth on the phone. Both girls shot him down. Does anyone else think that he's even stretching the truth to the readers and not being entirely honest?
I think Holden doesn't know what he wants or who he wants to be. I don't think he knows how to portray himself to the readers too. He tries to be sensitive sometimes but wants to portray this badass persona who does everything because he feels like it, however, while being really insecure about himself. I don't think he will "find himself" later in the book. Considering how he lives his life, i think he will continue in a downward spiral.
I wonder if the end of the book will be the ultimate collapse of Holden's chase of purpose, or if his sense of identity will be found. I would like to think that at the last minute, Holden would mentally find some maturity...enough to move on with his life. But, unfortunetly, the novel is supposed to be a tragedy, so he very well might not improve. Also, in such a chaotic atmosphere as Holden's, I find myself searching for some stable, relevant element in the story. The only ones I can find is Holden's continuous thoughts concerning Ali, Phoebe, and Jane. Do you think that this is significant to the theme of the story?(thus far)
I do think that Allie, Phoebe and Jane are a common theme in the novel. Holden is always thinking of them or comparing things to them.
Another thing i noticed was in chapeter 15 when Holden talks about Sally that he wants to be with someone smart, but he has not yet found that in a relationship except maybe with Jane. I am wondering why Holden continues to date girls less intelligent than him, who he does not really want to end up with... What does anybody else think?
Yeah, I was wondering that too. I don't think that Holden will move on or mature from this by the end of the book, if ever. As much as I'd like to see a happy ending, I'm just not getting that vibe from the story so far. I don't really think he'll ever find his purpose or find a place he fits in. But I think that's part of his character. I am curious about Allie, Pheobe and Jane. I'm wondering if he'll meet up with any of them soon (not Allie, of course) or if he'll just continue to miss them and think of them. I can't figure out where this book is heading at this point, I'm still waiting for the big turning point or for the big event to happen. Does anyone else feel that way?
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