Nate88

Artistically, I noticed the lines that are always beneath the mother's eyes. This is connected to her depression and stands out as an ever present reminder to the reader of her situation. I also noticed the 'circle frame' on page 43 that denoted the plot change from chapters two - three. Additionally, instead of being disregarded with the presence of action (as in Calvin & Hobbs), frames were used to show some type of plot change of large object of interest (like a train ticket). Finally, aside from the characters of mice (Jews) & cats (Nazis) I thought that the inclusion of pigs was an interesting dynamic that I look forward to ‘dissecting' in class :].

Even without these subliminal tools, Spiegelman managed to pulled me in.

Chapters 21-26 (pgs. 204-277)

The final set of chapters in The Catcher in the Rye showed me why critics praise this novel. Through the last few pages I was suprised by J.D Salinger's twist and uplifted for the first time since reading the book. In addition to this, Salinger connected the novel's events, symbols, and characters all together at once.

First, Holden was quoted when speaking to his sister about what he wants to do in his life and he said:

I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in his big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around- nobody big, I mean- except me...I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them...I'd just be the catcher in the rye...that’s the only thing I'd really like to be (pg. 224-225).

This reflects Holden's purpose in the novel, a secret that Salinger keeps away from the reader till the very last fifty pages. As Holden was searching for something in hotels, dates, & bars he tries to explain to his sister that his place is around the children. Previously in the story children would always be described light heartedly and with an uplifting aura. This quote is what confirms Holden's place in the world...

However, after fifty more pages of some of the most depressing situations of the story, Holden finally came back to his sister to stay. As she rode around the carousel there was both me & Holden were in a state of euphoria compared to the rest of the novel. After looking, back it was the quote above that foreshadowed that children were the type of innocence Holden needed to be around. This search for a purpose was confused with society’s worst giving the book its depressing nature.

After all was ‘read’ and done I found myself truly enjoying the end of The Catcher in the Rye. Though it was mostly depressing, the story’s finish balanced a 16 year-old’s simple writing style with a combination of symbolism and meaning.

Chapters 13-20 (pgs 115-204)

The past seven chapters of the Catcher in the Rye have been disappointing. Not only does the plot become predictable, but EVERYTHING does. The narrator, Holden Caulfield, is repeatedly avoiding opportunities to fix his life and continues on a path of personal destruction. Unfortunately, I can't even say that J.D Salinger writes Holden's story well. Very little information is given to the reader to justify Holden's reluctance to fix his life. As a result, Holden seems to be making poor decisions without reason which seems to reflect poorly on the author.

Nevertheless, for the purposes of my future essay, there are a couple of themes worth mentioning. Religion is criticized by Holden as he sees the disciples being misleading and priests as being "so phony when they talk" (pg. 131). Next, "Grand" or 'Old' Sally are both phases that Holden connects to as being phony. Often times whenever a character says something is 'grand' or Holden refers to a person with 'old' before their name Holden is associating the subject to being phony. Finally, Holden goes off on one of his tangents about the army and is quick to criticize its structure. Going as far as to say he would "stand in front of a firing squad instead of looking at the back of someone's neck" (pg. 182), it is clear Salinger is choosing to convey some of his own messages.

I choose to combine two readings into one log hoping that I would have something more than just Salinger's repetition to talk about. Fortunately, I was able to find some important themes but I hope the remaining chapters won't continue the depressing cycle.

Chapters 6-12 (pgs. 52-114)

In my second reading of The Catcher in the Rye it became very apparent that Holden's life was getting progressively worse. In fact, I was able to sort the entire text into good vs. bad things based on it's placement within the plot's timeline. Excluding memories, everything that was in the present turned out badly while all of Holden's past memories were cherished. This gloomy feeling within the text wasn't even overshadowed by Holden's dream, Jane Gallagher. Rather, she only lightened the text when Holden was reminiscing about her (For example, on pg. 88). After getting in a fight, leaving Pencey, and staying at a horrible hotel, Salinger has Holden in the place to emphasize societies worst.

Nevertheless, Salinger seemingly did the right thing by making Jane Gallagher Holden's dream. Now, Holden has some structure and beacon to look for while getting out of his mess. Another thing that I noticed was Salinger's usage of the word "you". It seems to be just another way Salinger can connect Holden to the reader. Finally, on page 141, a theme seemed to appear. Buried inside the usual depressing text, Holden mentioned being 'phony to survive'. Considering that Holden had established earlier how bad being phony was, surviving in the city was something that was inherently set against Holden's character.

I am looking forward to reading more of the The Catcher in the Rye now that Jane Gallagher is a part of it and Holden as a dream.

Chapters 1-5 (pgs. 1-51)

Before I picked up The Catcher in the Rye I had no idea exactly what the novel was focused on. I had heard about it being an excellent American novel, one of J. D . Salinger's best, but I was not expecting the sixteen year-old narrator. Holden Caulfield begins his story by describing his ex-school, Pencey Prep. After reading on, it became clear that Holden did not care for the school at all. As someone who did not put forth much effort, he described many of his peers and professors as phony. Furthermore, by the end of chapter 5, we learn that Holden's younger brother (Allie) died of Leukemia and that he has feelings for a girl named Jane Gallagher.

One thing that I found prominent in Salinger's writing was the use of "I really did." or "It really happened." to sum up paragraphs. I personally find it irritating because it happens so often but ending the paragraphs in short sentences may be Salinger's way to imitate a teenager's writing. I also found the story and descriptions of people to be very depressing. Rather than having a clear direction Salinger seems to be just leading Holden down a depressing path....

Overall I look forward to Holden's "resolution with the world" in the coming chapters and I look forward to what develops of Holden's feelings for Jane (the book needs something positive).

My plan is to write a blog for The Catcher in the Rye about every fifty pages. This will leave me with a total of 5 blogs... It took me a very long time but I eventually decided that The Catcher in the Rye would be the best decision.

- Nate

Hemmingway is telling us that through the weather, and a good novel, readers can be left with the intended emotion of the novel whether it be "happiness, ecstasy, sorrow, ect." Rain is a universal method to convey a feeling of sadness and discomfort among humans. Also weather is a symbol that can be used literarily for foreshadowing and other writing tools. Since weather is something man cannot control, it is revered as an all-knowing being hence useful in writing novels.

Hemmingway says that of done correctly, an intricate novel will have to be read multiple times in order for an understanding to be reached. Furthermore, as "A Farewell to Arms" shows it's readers, with significant enough subtext, an environment can be created for the reader that controls how the reader will feel or react to certain events. Hemmingway does this with rain to soften the readers feelings and foreshadow to death, as Henry jumps into the river, a feeling of escape is given to the reader. Because of this subtext, Hemmingway orchestrates how a reader feels, and if done properly, a reader must re-read several times to see the subtext and gather a complete understanding of the text.

What are the themes and ideas that come out in this first chapter?

The idea and setting are introduced as the theme of war and death, and Italy respectively. Also, a tone is introduced through the last line, "only seven thousand died of it in the army" which is somewhat indifferent to the lives being lost.

How have they continued in the novel?

These different ideas have continued through the novel through death and rain. Also, Henry never observes controversial topics with opinion rather letting subtext and the reader make a decision on given events.

Hemmingway chooses to incorporate fear into his novels, especially in Farewell to Arms because he realizes that ignoring fear makes literature unsubstantial. Furthermore, if fear of war is understood, a better understanding is gained from those who actually partake in war. In Farewell to Arms, Hemmingway shows Catherine's fear of the rain (symbolizing war and death). However, considering Hemmingway appreciates fear, it could be concluded that Henry's ignorant decision to be unafraid of the rain may have it's consequences later in the novel. Hemmingway appreciated fair writing and with the sustenance of including fear in a novel, he thinks excellent writing is possible.

Hemmingway feels impassioned about writing stories but also realizes that when a novel is written it cannot be filled with only the "beautiful". To create a believable novel, the writer needs include sadness, difficulties, and set backs for the purpose of making the novel real. Furthermore, the ending needs to collaborate well with the meaning of the novel. For the novel to be truly completed, "a miracle" or carefully woven ending, must convey a message to the reader that goes beyond the surface of the text. A meaning and purpose can then be given to the novel.

 For our purposes, as writers we must write out subtext that is elaborate as the original plot. Then, it is possible to write a meaningful novel that conveyed more than just 'beautiful' words.