CH 1-5 Whole Class Discussion CATCHER IN THE RYE

Plot Points and such… LET’S TALK BASICS…

 We will begin cataloging Holden’s “madman stuff” (1) using the HOLDEN’S FOOTSTEPS worksheet. Include important things that happen to Holden in chapters 1-5.  Have your book out, your HOLDEN’s FOOTSTEPS packet, and a pen/pencil. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE NOVEL??

HOLDEN’S FOOTSTEPS (CH 1-5) Present SettingFlashback Setting A mental hospital in CA; ~1949 Holden is 17 “I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy” (1) “[D.B.’s] in Hollywood. That isn’t too far from this crumby place” (1) Begins in Agerstown, PA at Pencey Prep Holden is 16 “Where I want to start telling is the day I left Pencey Prep” (2)

ChapterPlaceEvent/Quote 1NYCHolden goes to NYC for a fencing match, but he leaves the foils on the subway so they never have the match. 1Agerstown, PA Pencey Prep Holden stands alone on Thomsen Hill watching the Pencey v. Saxon Hall football game. He’s trying to get some closure on his Pencey. 1The Spencer’sHolden visits his History teacher, Mr. Spencer, to say good-bye since Holden won’t be returning after Christmas break (he’s been kicked out). 2The Spencer’sMr. Spencer lectures Holden about “life being a game and all…you should play it according to the rules” (8). 2The Spencer’sWhile Mr. Spencer is lecturing him, Holden begins to daydream about the ducks in Central Park. 3Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Holden goes back to his room and put on his red hunting hat and “swung the old peak way around to the back” (18). SATURDAY…

ChapterPlaceEvent/Quote 3Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Robert Ackley barges in to Holden’s room and interrupts his reading. He paces the room, annoys Holden with his questions, touches all of his stuff, and insults his new hat. 3Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Stradlater rushes in to get ready for a date (w/ Jane Gallagher) 4Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Stradlater asks Holden to write his English composition. 4Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Stradlater tells Holden that his date is with “Jean Gallagher” (31), a girl that Holden loves. 4Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Holden says he should go down and say hi to her, but never does. SATURDAY, CON’T

CHPlaceEvent/Quote 4Ossenburger Hall (Holden’s dorm) Holden begins to feel nervous and turn his red hunting hat around to the front. After Stradlater leaves, Holden just sits alone thinking about Jane on a date with Stradlater. 5Pencey PrepHolden goes into town with Mal Bossard and Ackley for a burger. 5Holden’s roomAt ~ 10:30 Saturday night, Holden writes Stradlater’s composition about his brother Allie’s baseball mitt. SATURDAY, CON’T

 Themes, symbols, and motifs are at the core of Holden’s story. First, let’s define them  Theme: central idea, topic, or point of a story  Symbol: any image or object that represents a larger idea or concept  Motif: a symbolic image or idea that appears frequently in a story LET’S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER…

 Isolation  Holden standing on Thomsen Hill alone  Holden staying home on a Saturday night alone  Non-conformity  Holden not playing by the rules – as stated by Spencer and Thurmer  Holden not going to the football game that everyone attends  Jane keeping all of her Kings in the back row when she plays checkers. EMERGING THEMES

 Loss of Innocence  Holden’s preoccupation with Stradlater’s date with Jane. He’s worried about Jane being taken advantage of.  Holden’s discussion of the death of his younger brother Allie and his reaction to Allie’s death.  Inaction/the inability to progress  Holden wanting to see Jane, but never going  Holden making a snowball, but not able to throw it and ruin the fresh snow EMERGING THEMES, CON’T

 Holden’s loneliness  Holden’s Red Hunting Hat  Aliie’s Mitt  The Central Park Ducks EMERGING MOTIFS

SymbolPossible Meaning Pencey Prep (and his other boarding schools) The phoniness of society/societal institutions Holden’s Red Hunting Hat Holden’s state of mind Peak forward = nervous/isolated/reserved Peak backward= playful/open/social Allie’s Baseball MittChildhood Loss of Innocence (his and Allie’s) Coping with Death The DucksReturn/Rebirth SYMBOLS

CharacterRelationship to HoldenHolden’s feeling s about this person D.B Caulfield Holden’s older brother; writer; works in Hollywood as a screenplay writer Admires him, but thinks that he is “selling out” his talent by writing for the movies – he calls him a “prostitute” Robert Ackley Holden’s dorm suitemate (neighbor) Feels sorry for him; respects him for not being “phony” Ward Stradlater Holden’s roommateThinks he’s conceited and phony – calls him a “secret slob” Thinks he’s a womanizer Allie Caulfield Holden’s younger, deceased brother Admires him; thinks he is innocent and intelligent Jane Gallagher Holden’s childhood friendIs intrigued by her; LOVES HER! Mr. Spencer Holden’s History teacherRespects him Mr. Thumer Pencey’s Headmaster (Principal) Thinks he’s a phony like most other societal figures CHARACTER CLARITY

 Allie’s Mitt assignment  DUE Monday  No late assignments accepted *See me after class for worksheet CH 1-5 EXTRA CREDIT

 Start working on CH 6-10 reading for next week  WEEKLY SCHEDULE  MONDAY & TUESDAY: Independent work days  WEDNESDAY: Role Meeting (rough draft of assignment due)  THURSDAY: Team Meeting  FRIDAY: Whole Class Discussion (final of assignment due) **Don’t forget you get a participation grade EACH DAY for your effort and focus in class GET A HEAD START…