Catcher in the Rye Web Quest
Catcher's Influence
Thesis
What Lasting Influence has The Catcher in the Rye had on American Culture?
What other examples of the " Holden" archetype have you seen in mordern media?
What trends do you see in the types of people who are drawn to the novel? Why could this be?
Have perceptions of the novel changed throughout time? If so, how?
What were some of the reviews on the Catcher when the novel first appeared in the bookstores? Why did people feel this way about the novel?
One of the most widespread criticisms of The Catcher in the Rye deals with the adolescence and repetitive nature of the main character, Holden Caulfield. Anne Goodman commented that in the course of such a lengthy novel, the reader would weary of a character such as Holden. Goodman wrote "Holden was not quite so sensitive and perceptive as he, and his creator, thought he was" (20). She also remarked that Holden was so completely self-centered that any other characters who wandered through the book, with the exception of Holden's sister, Phoebe, had no authenticity at all.
Some critics have argued that Holden's character is erratic and unreliable, as he possesses many of the middle-class values that he claims to reject.
Why do readers and critics feel so much animosity towards Salinger's characters?
Holden: is portrayed as this teenage boy who seems to be very self-centerd, complains a lot, and doesn't really care about anything in the world. Anything done by anyone other than himself is phony to him. He lies a lot, to hide his true self. He was just crazy.
Stradlater: Doesn't really care about anyone but himself, thinks the world evolves around him, he also uses girls.
Why do you think the catcher in the rye is so constantly referenced? Why does it hold such a central role in our culture? Is this role deserved?
It is referenced so much because it has popular themes that do not chance such as alienation, uncertainty growing up, and normal teenage problems. It holds a central role because there is many people who still can relate to it. I do not believe that this role is deserved because there is more recent books that can be more relatable to teenagers now of days.
How are a presidential attempted assassination and the murder of John Lennon associated to Catcher in the Rye?
Why and how does Catcher fit into the banned book classification
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Quiz
1.Who wrote the Catcher in the Rye?
2.Why was Holden kicked out of Pencey?
3.Who does Holden enjoy talking to?
4.How does Holden feel about adults?
5.Why would this book influence adolescents and their view on adults?
6.Which picture of ours did you like the best?
7.Do you agree with our opinion on wither or not the book deserves such a central role in our culture?
8.Do you think Catcher in the Rye should be a banned book?
9.Why do you think the killer of John Lennon uses the book as his explanation for committing his crime?
10.Do you think Salinger should stay away from children?