Blog 11: Poetry

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]

Is it "good" poetry? I suppose it is good because it was enjoyable to read. According to our notes today,"good" poetry follows any of the specific patterns. This poem definitely flows nicely. Also,it is figurative. We know this because what he's discussing is symbollic in a way. J.D. Salinger chose this poem as an inspiration for his title because of the symballism between Holden and protecting children in the rye from adulthood.

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 like to talk to J.D. Salinger. I would ask him why he decided to make a book about an adolescent who neither ages nor immatures. "Catcher in the Rye" is certainly not a coming of age story because the protagonist never changes. I would ask him if during his childhood he experienced the death of a sibling, a pressuring parent, a loving little sister, or even a brother who left and moved to Hollywood. It would make a lot of sense for Salinger to write about the things he may or may not have personally known.

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.

In chapter 20, Holden pretends he has alcoholism (on page 150). Later in the chapter, Holden considers catching pneumonia. This happened on page 156. Holden has issues as an adolescent. He feels depressed and knows something is wrong with him. However, he does not know what it is exactly. He says, "I started thinking how old Phoebe would feel if I got pneumonia and died." This quote was on page 156.

Blog 8: Ch 19, 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?

Holden hates being alone. In life, he's really always alone unless he is with either Jane or a family member. He wants to be around people and have intelligent conversations all the time. However, he just ends up being lonely most of the time.

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?

The scene with Horowitz represents Holden's curiosity and Horowitz's apathy. Horowitz talks quite rudely as if he is extremely inpatient. Holden comes across as in innocent, curious boy. He acts sort of defensive towards Horowitz, though. "I stopped having a conversation with him, if he was getting so goddamn touchy about it." (Salinger 82).