I am (half-way) through reading it. It's slightly dull.
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I am (half-way) through reading it. It's slightly dull.
I have very mixed feelings towards this book
I still don't know what to think, really
A part of me thought it was fantastic, even "one of my favourite books" worthy
But then on the other hand...I don't know
I think I might have to read it again to decide
Hello guys!
How are you doing? At the moment im writing up an important paper for my literature class on the Bell Jar and Catcher in the Rye. However im having some difficulty with some parts of the essay which i thought id share with you and would appreciate any help or ideas, little or large!
Well looking at both of the novels we can see that the authors have chosen adolescent protganists. Holden in catcher in the rye and Esther in the Bell jar. My question is to see why the authors have chosen to use adolescence as their protaginists? Why have them as the main storyteller expressing their views through teenagers? As the books are about teenagers growing up and making the tansaction to adulthood but why do they present adolescence?? Any ideas would be soooo grateful and appreciated!!! Thank you!
From Sunflower! xx
That's a good question! Maybe they were writing for the 'young adult' audience? Maybe they wanted the teenager to be a symbol of transformation?
Hey!
Yeah thats what i thought and wrote on that they were purposely aiming for the younger audiences and showing that the transcation from childhood to adulthood is a huge step! BUt i was thinking why not use an adult protaginist speaking from experience? Or is it because they are the 'phonies'?? Would it be different if it was an adult? Im sorry i know im asking quite ambigious questions but this paper is for my final grade! :S
Thanks again for reply! And i welcome any new ones!!
Sunflower.xx
I don't think teenagers relate as well to adult experiences (even in reflection) as they would to another teenager. Teenagers are much more influenced (generally) by their own peers than by what they may consider an authority figure. My opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunflower05
First, hi Sunflower. :)
Second, I think the word you're looking for is "transition," not "transaction."
Third, I'm not sure what Salinger had in mind, but Sylvia Plath was writing a thinly-disguised autobiography, and those things really did happen to her when she was nineteen. So, in her case, it was just a matter of recounting personal history.
That doesn't mean the theme of "adolescent protagonists" can't be a valuable one. I think if you ask "how" instead of "why," you'll find some of the answers, and possibly some good questions, too—as in, "How have I, as a young adult, been affected by the age of these characters? How would I have reacted to them had they been ten years older? How does society (in the book) treat these characters? How would they be treated if they were having these problems at an older age? Would they be having the same problems if they were older? Are the issues in the book inherently adolescent in nature, or do older people experience them, too? If so, how does an older person's experience with depression/whatever-Holden's-problem-was differ from that of a younger person's? If not, why not? Exactly what are the problems that these characters experience, anyway?" (That last one should probably have come first.)
And so on.
This is just a comment on novels of adultlescence, not specific to Catcher in the Rye or The Bell Jar. The reason I think they are so interesting and common is becuase of the inherent situaton of a person undergoing a rite of passage. The situaton then is inherent with tension and conflict.
Thank you for your replies and i will definatly take them into account. Yeah i see what you mean, with writing about the bell jar it is Plath's autobiographical account so i can see why she has chosen to present adolescence. I will just mostly work on Salinger, any ideas if this too was how he was when he was young? I know that he did become a recluse afterwards? Any ways thank you for your help! :nod:
can anyone think of some songs that would fit the book "the catcher in the rye?" songs can relate to themes, symbols, messages, etc.
just wondering, but why do you need these songs?
Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon, perceived connections between Lennon's music and Catcher in the Rye. Compare the chorus of "Watching the Wheels" with the final scene of Holden watching Phoebe on the carousel:
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
Apparently, there is an audio file of Chapman reciting the lyrics to this song.
Does that have to do with why he shot him? Why did he do that, btw?Quote:
Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon, perceived connections between Lennon's music and Catcher in the Rye.
The assasin was also carrying a copy of the book when he shot Lennon, right? Was there a connection he made between the two, other than the music?
The Boy with the Thorn in his Side - The Smiths
Spring - The Rites of Spring
Out of Step with the World - Minor Threat
Creep - Radiohead
Mis-shapes - Pulp
Teenage Depression - Eddie and the Hotrods
Dark Globe - Syd Barrett
Is This It? - The Strokes
Meaningless - The Magnetic Fields
Insitutionalised - Suicidal Tendencies
What a Boring Life - The Slits
Why Don't You Shoot Me - The Subway Sect
"Working Class Hero" the song responcible for Lennon being blasted