For term two, I'm reading the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. The novel starts off the story with the typical sob story of a "bad boy". However, Holden Caulfield is not the typical bad boy. Holden starts his story off by telling the reader that his past life will not be talked about. Holden starts off his story by talking about his career/years in Pency Prep. Holden tells us how he is getting kicked out for his grades and that he only passed his English class and failed all of his other five subjects. Houlden is the outsider; he doesn't have much friends but for some reason or another he has grown foundly of his school and doesn't seem to know how to say bye to it. Holden is asked by his history teacher, Mr.Spencer, to visit him before he leaves. He has a lot of respect for Mr.Spencer and feels bad that Mr.Spencer is sick and in bed. Mr. Spencer tries to lecture Holden about his academic future while he's there visiting him. Holden tries to fit in but is often taken advantage of. For example, he was asked to write an English Composition for his roommate while he goes out with the girl Holden likes!
Pages 1 - 40
Quote:
"I'll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy." (Salinger 1)
Reaction:
This quote is very important to the story plot as a whole. This quote establishes the setting; he makes sure it is known to us that he is no longer in the place where he was (to say the least) most comfortable at. Salinger also established a very small narrative distance between the protagonist and the reader. This quote shows Holden talking straight at us (the reader) with not a care in the world. Also before this quote, Holden is telling us personally that the time before now in his life is not that important and that his parents would have "two hemorrhages apiece" (Salinger 1) This quote is most important because so much is being said on only the first page of the novel which leads to believe that the novel and Holden will have a lot to tell.
