Discussion Question: Week 5!

Read the following quote. Discuss the possible meanings of this quote within the context of the novel. How does the title of the novel "fit" within Holden's philosophy and Salinger's portrayal of the human condition? Are there any other instances in the novel where Holden voices similar concerns?

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be." Ch. 22

DUE TUES., MARCH 17!

Week 4 Discussion Question

Though Holden never describes his psychological breakdown directly, it becomes clear as the novel progresses that he is growing increasingly unstable. How does Salinger indicate this instability to the reader while protecting his narrator's reticence?


DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 10!

Week 3 Discussion Question

How essential is the setting to the novel? Could The Catcher in the Rye take place in any other location? In any other time?

DUE TUES., MARCH 3!

UPDATES

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EXTRA CREDIT Discussion Question

EXTRA CREDIT


DISCUSS: Trace Holden's reactions to Allie's death. How does Holden define what it means to be a hero? How does he connect Allie to that definition? Connect what you are observing to a discussion of the catcher's mitt episode.



DUE THURSDAY, FEB. 26!

Week 2 Discussion Question

So far, how does The Catcher in the Rye compare with other coming-of-age novels? Is it more realistic? More relevant to today's teenager? Why? Use examples from your past reading (including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Go Ask Alice, The Outsiders, etc.). What is similar about all books in the coming-of-age genre?



DUE TUESDAY, Feb. 24!

Week 1 Discussion Question

Remember: EVERY student must post ONE independent response and TWO responses to other students.

DUE TUESDAY, FEB. 17!


DISCUSS: Are the characters in The Catcher in the Rye likable? That is, do you both identify and empathize with Holden's problems? What about the adults (Spencer and Holden's parents)? His "friends"? Who would you most want to meet? Why?