Catcher in the Rye help

[kidcaps]

Well, we're reading The Catcher in The Rye in English class, and I like it, and I am interested in Holden, but am a bit confused. I'm only halfway through, but I'd like some things clarified, and I'd really appreciate any responses.

-How does Holden feel about people, and how are his relationships between girls and boys different?

-What conclusions can you draw from Holden's red hunting hat?

-How does Holden feel about females?

-If you were a psychiatrist, what would be your initial diagnosis of Holden's problem(s) be?


I know I should probably wait until I reach the end, but we were discussing these and other questions in class, and I still feel confused.


Also, is there any relation between Bright Eyes lyrics and Holden Caulfield? I found them somewhat similar, but I can't put my finger on it..

[immorehxcthanu]

I really wish I could find my copy so I can brush up on the novel. Judging from what I can remember about Holden I'd say he has some type of personality disorder or bi-polar disorder(possibly). He could be borderline judging from that fact that he doesn't seem to have a real sense of self.

[fueledbyiz]

I did a book report on this last year! And I have to read it in class this year, tooo.

From what I remember:

Holden thought a lot of people were phonies, but he wants to save the children and protect their innocence. He, himself, was struggling with the transition from childhood to adulthood. He keeps doing grown-up things (getting drunk, hitting on women, paying for that hooker), but he's not ready to grow up quite yet (frequently referencing his childhood girlfriend, not sleeping with the hooker, etc)

Holden's hat showed his individuality and him wanting to stay different from the people around him.

[fueledbyiz]

also, try sparknotes! and i just realized i totally didn't answer your questions, really... sorry about that

i think he connects more with girls than guys. he was constantly fighting with his roommate and the guy next door (and even the elevator guy in the hotel that hooks him up with the hooker), whereas he had that special connection with his childhood girlfriend. he also appreciates what his little sister has to say more than anyone else in the book.

wow, i really don't remember! ha, i'm sorry!

[Neo Cassady]

You're reading CITR at 14? Wow. We didn't read it until sophomore year in H.S. Hmm.

Anywho...SparkNotes is always a good companion...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/

[wroteurname]

show your teacher the time

[kidcaps]

also, try sparknotes! and i just realized i totally didn't answer your questions, really... sorry about that

i think he connects more with girls than guys. he was constantly fighting with his roommate and the guy next door (and even the elevator guy in the hotel that hooks him up with the hooker), whereas he had that special connection with his childhood girlfriend. he also appreciates what his little sister has to say more than anyone else in the book.

wow, i really don't remember! ha, i'm sorry!
no, thanks, that was very helpful

You're reading CITR at 14? Wow. We didn't read it until sophomore year in H.S. Hmm.

Anywho...SparkNotes is always a good companion...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/
Yeah, I've used spark notes many times, I'd just like to hear some opinions from those who lurk these boards. I'm a freshman, so..

show your teacher the time
It's not that terrible, I just want some things clarified.

[jds10912]

if i remember correctly, the red hat can be seen as Holden's security blanket. its his link to childhood. he takes off the hat when he tries to do things in the 'adult world' but inevitably fails and puts his hat back on.
i think. i dont exactly remember the specifics. but it was a good book.

[jds10912]

and about the lyrics, there might be. i dont know about the song that you're talking about, but when i read the book in school we made a mixtape for holden as a project (pretty sweet school project imo)
there were a lot of lyrics that relate to the book either intentionally (the ataris - 'if you really want to hear about it' or streetlight manifesto - 'here's to life', among others) or otherwise (some examples i had were Brand New - 'Sic Transit Gloria' and Box Car Racer - 'Elevator'; these songs weren't actually written about the book, but you could intetpret them in a way that relates to the book)

[wroteurname]

It's not that terrible, I just want some things clarified.

Just using the lingo.

[wroteurname]

Also, be sure to mention something about the security he gets from the hat.

[fueledbyiz]

and about the lyrics, there might be. i dont know about the song that you're talking about, but when i read the book in school we made a mixtape for holden as a project (pretty sweet school project imo)
there were a lot of lyrics that relate to the book either intentionally (the ataris - 'if you really want to hear about it' or streetlight manifesto - 'here's to life', among others) or otherwise (some examples i had were Brand New - 'Sic Transit Gloria' and Box Car Racer - 'Elevator'; these songs weren't actually written about the book, but you could intetpret them in a way that relates to the book)

kinda unrelated, but i had that same project in sixth grade! except we got to choose the book. but yeah, one of my favorite projects of all time, for sure.

[immorehxcthanu]

It's possible he was sexually abused as a child. Idk the whole time I was reading it I was thinking "something really horrible happened to him growing up." I think that's what makes this such a great book and Holden such a memorable character, there's just something haunting about it.

[kidcaps]

and about the lyrics, there might be. i dont know about the song that you're talking about, but when i read the book in school we made a mixtape for holden as a project (pretty sweet school project imo)
there were a lot of lyrics that relate to the book either intentionally (the ataris - 'if you really want to hear about it' or streetlight manifesto - 'here's to life', among others) or otherwise (some examples i had were Brand New - 'Sic Transit Gloria' and Box Car Racer - 'Elevator'; these songs weren't actually written about the book, but you could intetpret them in a way that relates to the book)

Well, actually, I found them somewhat similar because I was listening to Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst while reading, the lyrics...
Also, I found a facebook group entitled "Holden Caulfield, Donnie Darko, and Conor Oberst," meaning they must have some relation, and ignore the Donnie Darko.

Just using the lingo.

haha I understand.

It's possible he was sexually abused as a child. Idk the whole time I was reading it I was thinking "something really horrible happened to him growing up." I think that's what makes this such a great book and Holden such a memorable character, there's just something haunting about it.

I was thinking maybe it was Allie's death that is that traumatic event?

[immorehxcthanu]

Well, actually, I found them somewhat similar because I was listening to Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst while reading, the lyrics...
Also, I found a facebook group entitled "Holden Caulfield, Donnie Darko, and Conor Oberst," meaning they must have some relation, and ignore the Donnie Darko.



haha I understand.



I was thinking maybe it was Allie's death that is that traumatic event?

Oh jesus, I forgot about that. Damn, I really need to find that book.

[kidcaps]

Oh jesus, I forgot about that. Damn, I really need to find that book.

I'm really just getting used to annotating my books, high school sucks.

[kidcaps]

I finished the novel yesterday, and I can see why it's a classic. Also, we showed the John Lennon/Mark Chapman documentary. I'm blown away, and I understand everything, but the way Chapman took the meaning of the book.
And Sparknotes definitely helped.

[immorehxcthanu]

I'm really just getting used to annotating my books, high school sucks.

That is does. I wouldn't do high school over again if you paid me.

[jster2000]

Absolutely awesome book