Blog 11: Poetry

The title of the book The Catcher in the Rye derives from a poem by Robert Burns, "Comin' Thro' The Rye." An electronic copy can be found here: Comin' Thro' The Rye. As discussed in class, this poem has special significance for Holden and the story that unfolds in the book.

Do you consider Burns' poem to be "good" poetry? Why/ why not? In your opinion, explain what "good" poetry is, and, if you can, provide an example. [One-two paragraphs, posted by 12.01.09]

I consider Robert Burn' poem to be ok poetry. There were good and bad about it. I didn't like the way it was written but the message reminded me of regular poems. Good peotry is written well and has a good message and good symobolism. Good poetry is a tell tale hart by Edgar Allen Poe, and all of his other poems and short stories.

Blog 10: Call to the author.

From Activity I of the Wrap-Up on Catcher in the Rye, would you like to call J.D. Salinger/ one of J.D. Salinger's relatives? If you would, write a paragraph on what you would want to talk to him about and what you would say to or ask him. If not, write a paragraph about the reasons you would not want to talk to him.

After you post, visit a student's blog and read his/ her thoughts on the novel. Leave a comment if you feel you have something to say about the post.

I would want to call J.D Salinger. I would ask him if he had any other ideas for an ending to the book. I wasn't satisfied with the ending because I wanted to know why he went to the mental hospital, and how what he did to push his parents to send him to the mental hospital.

Blog 9: Holden's Internal Conflicts

In a well-constructed paragraph, answer the following questions in your OWN blog:

-What two health issues does Holden pretend he has in Chapter 20? [Check out pages 150 and 156 if you are unsure.]

-Why do you believe that our main character behaves this way? Support your opinion with a quotation from the text. [4 Points, Posted by 11.20.09]

The two health issues where he thought that he got shot in the gut. The other one was that she was shivering a lot. Well he first behaves this way because he is drunk, and also he is hurt emotionally. He feels he has nothing in his life, and might as well die. "Boy, I was shivering like a bastard, and the back of my hair, even though I had my hunting hat on, was sort of like little hunks of ice." (154).

chapter 19: Catcher, the Wicker Bar

Answer the following in your own blog: With all of the things he perceives as Luce's faults, Holden still hates to see him go. Why? [4 Points, One paragraph, Posted 11.17 by class period]

Holden hates to see him go because he is lonely. He doesn't have a real friend and he is alone in New York City. He needs someone to talk to and be friends with him and Luce was really his only choice as a friend right now.

Blog 7: Ch. 12, Catcher: Conversation with Horowitz

In addition to providing a comic interlude, what seems to be the point of the scene with the cab driver, Horowitz? How do Holden and Horowitz differ, both in their conversation and as characters?

Provide textual support for your answer. Their conversation can be found on pages 81-83. [posted 11.12.09, 4 points]

The point of this scene was to show that whoever Holden meets, they do not get along that well. "How the hell should I know a stupid thing like that?" (82).This quote shows that Holden cares about little things like that, where as most people, like Horowitz, don't care about it.