The+Catcher+in+the+Rye+Book+Group

Section One: Biographical by T.R. Storch media type="youtube" key="ir8qhyJkS4Y" height="385" width="640" Questions: 1. Salinger is a famous recluse, how do you think this novel reflects that? 2. Salinger is also from a wealthy New York family, do you think he connects with Holden Caulfield on other levels as well? If so, how? 3. Salinger was in World War Two, how do you think this could effect the mood or sense of alienation in this book? 4. Of what significance is it that the novel is written from such a radical first person point of view? Do you think this is the style it is written in because of how close Salinger could be to this character? 5. Holden mentions that he hates movies, however Salinger is known to have been a great fan of films, does he say this to be ironic? However Salinger has also not let any of his stories be adapted in films after his short story, "Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut," was adapted into the sub par film, "My Foolish Heart." Do you think that the character's dislike for movies could also stem from that? 6. Salinger frequently returns to adolescence in his writing, what do you think this shows about him, or his adolescence? 7. Salinger wrote almost all of his published works in post war America, what do you think his role and the role of, //The Catcher in the Rye,// are in this period? 8. It is rumored (as much is not known about his life) that Salinger was very interested in Eastern culture such as Hinduism and Zen Buddhism, do you think that a rejection to common Western society is shown in this book?

Discussion Two: Alex Knippenberg- Psychoanalysis Opening Acticity: media type="youtube" key="oOqwSFmDFZ0" height="385" width="480"

Questions: 1. What does the tone of the above song reveal about the emotions and feelings of Holden? Does it symbolize the status of his relationships? 2. The title alludes to saving kids from falling off of a cliff while running in a rye field; what does this show about caulfield's personality, and does it reveal a superority complex born from his past? 3. Salinger hints that Caulfield was molested sometime in his past... is this the reason that he performs so poorly in school? What aspects of intimacy are involved in school? 4. It is, from a psychoanalytic standpoint, accepted that Holden is suffering from a fear of intimacy, but is that so? Is he rather suffering from a fear of engulfment, or is it both? 5. Doctors agree that one result of sexual abuse as a child is disassociation with other humans. If this is true, why is Holden so attached with his brother Allie? Does it have to do with him being dead? 6. When Holden gets beat up by Maurice, the pimp/elevator man, does it reveal a hidden, submissive and anti-social nature that woukd explain why he is such a distant social ?

Notes/research: []

Modern Connection Alex Janoso

Opening Activity- (http://www.quotegarden.com/teenagers.html)

The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another. ~Quentin Crisp

Too many of today's children have straight teeth and crooked morals. ~Unknown high school principal

The best substitute for experience is being sixteen. ~Raymond Duncan

There isn't a child who hasn't gone out into the brave new world who eventually doesn't return to the old homestead carrying a bundle of dirty clothes. ~Art Buchwald

1. Is Holden really an example of the modern-day apathetic teenager? If not, what is he comparable to? If so, what else can be said about the timelessness of this stereotype?

2. We tend to read about easily distinguishable protagonists and antagonists nowadays. Is Holden the protagonist or antagonist in the context of the the novel? If neither, was does his role show about teens, stereotypically?

3. What does the moral wasteland Holden seems to have been heading symbolize for not only him but society? Are we as a society, generally lost in morals?

4. Why is Holden so cynical, much as humanity tends towards (judging when it is not our right)?

5. Is the pressures of success bothering Holden? Don't we find ourselves obsessing over academics, as well?

6. Is Holden angry at society? How does he generally fell towards the majority of his peers?

7. As we change, both as individuals and as a society, transition is apparent to be a large portion of sour culture. At what point did Holden transition from bliss to whatever emotion (or lack there of) he exhibits throughout the novel? Is this of any literary significance?

New Historicism

Opening Activity- (http://www.quotegarden.com/responsibility.html)

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs. ~Joan Didion

 1. Do you think like Twain, that Caulfield is a symbol of his era, the 50’s, or not  2. The 1950’s was a time of rebuilding after World War 2. Do you think Caulfield was trying to rebuild his life after all his failures or simply just continuing along with his life?  3. Caulfield is constantly critical and cynical of other people. He will always find fault with someone. Do you think this is a defense against other people seeing his faults?  4. The Cold War was starting up during this time. It scared a lot of people because they were ignorant. Do you think Caulfield is also scared of the unknown in the future? Why or why not?  5. Do you think that Holden is a representation of the music of this era, rock and roll?  6. Caulfield is always trying to be seen as someone older. Is this because he wants to leave his childhood as soon as possible?  7. The one person he really can’t find a fault with is his sister. Is she his anchor to his past while he tries to find his way in the world?