4th Quarter Extra Grade Assignment

Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

Contract

I understand that in order to participate in this assignment I must make the commitment to do so by May 15th.  I realize that this does not bind me to complete the assignment. However, only those who have chosen to start by May 15th will be allowed to complete the assignment.  Also, I understand that this work is in addition to the required work in American Studies and doing the project may not be in my best interests if I do not have sufficient time to do the necessary work.

Upon the completion of this assignment, I will be assigned a grade, thus allowing me to have my lowest test grade dropped.

Required work:

1.  Read book, Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

2.  Complete the study guide questions. 

3.  The test at the end of the project will be in the form of a discussion group with the students who completed the project.  I understand that my grade will be related to effort, and it is up to me to prove that I did indeed make a solid effort on this project.

Note:  Parents are encouraged to read the book also. (This is not required, only strongly encouraged.)  Not only is it proper for parents to contribute their ideas to the journal; it is encouraged.  Parents will be invited to a classroom discussion in June. 

Student_____________________________                           Date________

Parent______________________________                          Date__________

Teacher_____________________________                          Date__________

Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

1 . Holden narrates the story of The Catcher in the Rye while he is recovering from his breakdown. Do you think the promise of recovery that Holden experiences as he watches the carousel at the end of the novel has been fulfilled? Specifically, has Holden gained a more mature perspective on the events that he narrates?

2. What is the significance of the carousel in Chapter 25?

3. 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?

Suggested Essay Topics (2-3 pages of passages, with chapters and page numbers)

1. Think about Holden’s vision of the nature of childhood and adulthood. Are the two realms as separate as Holden believes them to be? Where does he fit in?

2. The novel is structured around Holden’s encounters and interactions with other people. Does any pattern seem to emerge, or does anything change in his interactions as the novel progresses? How do Holden’s encounters with adults, children, women, and his peers evolve as the novel progresses?

3. Throughout the book, Holden longs for intimacy with other human beings. Discuss the different types of relationships Holden attempts and the different types of intimacy in the book. What is the role of sexuality in The Catcher in the Rye? How do Holden’s sexual relationships differ from his nonsexual encounters?

4. The most ambiguous encounter in the book is Holden’s night at Mr. Antolini’s apartment. What do you make of Mr. Antolini’s actions? Was he making a pass at Holden? What is the significance of his actions, and how do they relate to his role as someone trying to prevent Holden from “taking a fall”?

5. Holden often behaves like a prophet or a saint, pointing out the phoniness and wickedness in the world around him. Is Holden as perfect as he wants to be? Are there instances where he is phony and full of hypocrisy? What do these moments reveal about his character and his psychological problems?

Discuss the following symbols (1 page each - cite chapters and pages)

"Madman"

Shoot the bull

The ducks

The hunting hat

"Old..."