C THE CATCHER IN THE RYE Getting to Know Holden – Chapter 1

Do Now A conformist is someone who behaves as society dictates and goes along with society’s standards. Is it better to be a conformist or a nonconformist? Which would you consider to be more of a “phony”? Why?

Responding You are about to meet a teen named Holden Caulfield, an interesting character who will be very different than you in most ways, but will represent the experience of many of you in more general ways. In order to help you relate to Holden, I would like you to give honest, reflective answers to the following questions, written in your notebooks. Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. If you had to describe yourself, not so much physically, but in terms of character and personality, to someone you were to meet soon, what would you say? What are the things you most dislike about adults? What is your biggest insecurity? Who has disappointed you the most so far in your life? Why ? What do you look for in friends? what’s important to you?

Meeting Holden Let’s meet Holden. I want you to annotate this document, focusing on what is revealed about Holden’s character in this opening paragraph.

Do Now Think about your reading last night. Think of one aspect of his life that Holden perceives one way that the readers might perceive differently. For example, think of his feelings about one of the following: Mr. Spencer Adults in general Phoniness School Himself

Where in the World…? “I have no wind, if you want to know the truth. Im quite a heavy smoker, for one thing—that is, I used to be. They made me cut it out. Another thing, I grew six and a half inches last year. Thats also how I practically got t.b. and came out here for all these …checkups and stuff. I’m pretty healthy, though” (5). Where is “here”? How do you know? How does Holden seem to perceive his situation?

Crossing a Road – Metaphor? “After I got across the road, I felt like I was sort of disappearing. It was that kind of crazy afternoon, terrifically cold, and no sun out or anything, and you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed a road” (5). What is going on at this point in the story that might make Holden feel like he is “disappearing”? What attitude does Holden want us to believe he has about this life event? What might we infer about his actual feelings toward this time in his life? Support your point.

Answering for Holden If you had to describe yourself, not so much physically, but in terms of character and personality, to someone you were to meet soon, what would you say? What are the things you most dislike about adults? What is your biggest insecurity? Who has disappointed you the most so far in your life? Why ? What do you look for in friends? What’s important to you? Now that we know a little bit more about Holden and how he perceives himself, I want you to try to determine how Holden might respond to the following questions that you previously answered about yourself.