Book Talk

Book Talk: The Catcher In The Rye

By: Hannah Beloved  

1.     Catcher in the Rye is about a boy named Holden Caulfield. Holden is a very unique character throughout the whole book. Holden clearly explains that he is undergoing treatment in a mental hospital. Holden is the narrator of the story and explains to the audience some of the events that have taken place in his life when he was sixteen years old.  Holden has been kicked out of four different schools before arriving at Pencey prep school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. Pencey prep has made little to no difference in his achievement in his academic classes. Holden is not described as a typical teenage boy. He is never reluctant to criticize his classmates who obsess over girls, sex, smoking and drinking. Holden feels compelled to engage in some of these obsessions but does not necessarily want to. In the events that Holden describes in the story the reader can tell that Holden thinks everybody is “phony”. He doesn’t like many people throughout the story and calls them “phonies” and he is probably the most “phony” of them all. Needless to say, Holden is critical and bitter towards the world he lives in.  Throughout the story we see Holden tell his view in some of the events that have taken place in his life. He feels so torn between becoming an adult and remaining a child. The confusion of growing up is a common theme throughout the whole story. Throughout the story Holden describes several events that happen in his life where he is searching to understand who he is in his own skin.

2. I chose this text because I have heard many great things about this novel from many people. Another reason I chose this novel is because my mentor teacher was about to start to teach this novel to her 12^th grade prep for college English class. I thought it would be beneficial for me to read the novel, which allowed me to take over some of the lessons she had planned on teaching for the novel. I believe that this text is appropriate for 12^th grade students. I think this because Salinger uses vulgar language as well as sexual connotation. I think by the time students are in the twelfth grade they are responsible enough to read the novel with maturity. I believe The Catcher in the Rye is appropriate for twelfth grade students because many of the messages and themes Salinger writes in the story directly relate to what is taking place in the lives of 17-18 year old kids. Many of the common themes Salinger presents in the novel are easily relatable for students in the 12^th grade. Seniors in high school are embarking on several changes taking place in their lives. Many seniors struggle transitioning from adolescence to adulthood similarly to Holden in the novel. The Catcher in the Rye is a quick and easy read. The way that Holden carries himself throughout the book allows many readers to either relate to him or relate to similar situations that take place in this stage of life.

3.     One of the teaching ideas I have learned while teaching this novel is a pre-reading activity. The pre-reading activity is called an anticipation guide. The anticipation guide has a list for 15 general statements that I asked each student to rate individually either strongly agree, agree, strongly disagree, disagree, and neutral. They then wrote an explanation of why they rated each statement the way they did. This is a great way to introduce some of the themes they will recognize through the novel. The next part of the activity was called a 4-corner discussion. During this discussion students had to decided which corner of the room they believed matched their opinion of each statement that I asked during the discussion. It was awesome to see the class debate with each other on different views on each general statement. I really got to see how student’s personal lives came into effect during the class discussion to defend their opinion. Another teaching activity I plan on using with this novel is having my students complete a character analysis sketch of Holden Caulfield. Each student designs an illustration of what they think Holden looks like. They will also provide two pieces of textual evidence in 7 categories to support Holden’s characterization. The seven categories include his thoughts, what he sees, what others hear, what he says, how he feels, some of his actions, and where he travels. Because Holden is a unique character I will ask each student to explain in 1-2 paragraphs answering whether they like or dislike Holden.

4.      

 There has been controversy over the years of whether this book should be taught to High school students. One reason for this debate is the sexual references that appear throughout the story. Another reason is the use of vulgar language that can people might see as offensive. Lastly, some people see the use of drugs and alcohol in the story as a way of prompting drug and alcohol use. I think parents are mainly concerned with the sexual, and drug and alcohol reference which is understandable but the Salinger’s novel does not solely revolve around these two topics. I predict that administrators see that teaching this book is appropriate for seniors in high school. I think they would realize this book would be away for students to relate to many of the themes throughout the book. I predict students will appreciate that the school district allows them to read a novel that they can actually enjoy and relate to. I think students would thoroughly enjoy reading this book and would be able to make connections from the book to their own life.

5.     I think many students look back at Salinger’s novel and remember it being one the best books they read in High school. I believe that this book should be taught to all seniors in high school due to the fact that many seniors struggle to balance the transition from adolescent to adult. So many themes throughout the novel are relatable to 18 year olds. I wish my High school would have taught this novel because I think I would have benefitted by reading it at that point in my life.