Catcher in the Rye: Commentary 3

Option 1:Holden mentions he is depressed or finds certain things "depressing." Is Holden depressed? If so, any ideas why? What seems to depress him or what does he find "depressing"? Is there any consistency or commonality?

Option 2: Provide your observations and insights. Include a quote that you think is the most essential for these chapters.

Catcher in the Rye: Commentary 2

Option 1:Throughout the novel, Holden develops aliases and pretends to be other people. What purpose does this serve? What are some examples of people with aliases? Pick one of Holden’s aliases and describe the situation.

• Who is he talking to? What kind of person does he become? What are some possible reasons he became someone else?
• How might these aliases develop theme and/or character?

Option 2: Provide your observations and insights. Include a quote that you think is the most essential for these chapters.

Catcher in the Rye: Commentary 1

Option 1: J.D. Salinger’s diction (word choice) for Holden Caulfield is unique and interesting. His voice is easily distinguished among literary characters.

• What do you find interesting/unique/distinguishable about Holden’s style of speech? What types of words does he use? What is the tone? Is he grammatically correct?
• How does his diction and voice characterize, develop, reveal about himself? What does it reveal about Holden's attitudes towards others?
• Who is Holden? What do we know, not know, possibly know about him?

Option 2: Provide your observations and insights. Include a quote that you think is the most essential for these chapters.

"Battle Royal"

I apologize; I went to post a prompt for Catcher in the Rye and realized I neglected to post one for "Battle Royal." Here are a couple options:

1. Discuss a central theme of the short story; how does the symbolism of the plot develop the theme?

2.  Discuss the narrator's internal state; how does figurative language reveal and enhance this?

"A Good Man Is Hard to Find"

1.  Religion plays a significant role in the story. How do the grandmother and Misfit view and treat religion? How does this contribute to theme?

2.  How does O'Connor foreshadow the fate of the family? What effect does this have on the reading and theme?

Writing Ideas

Discuss with a partner possible stories that could be paired. What themes or issues could be compared and contrasted? Or, how might two stories give insight into a theme/concept/culture?

"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been"

1. "The place where you come from ain't there anymore, and where you had to in mind is cancelled out."

• Where has Connie come from? What is the home meant to represent/symbolize?
• Where did she want to go? What details, imagery, figurative language conveys this?
• Why or how has it been cancelled out?

2.  How do the descriptions of Connie, June, and Arnold Friend develop characterization and theme?

"Cathedral"

1.  At the end of the story, the blind man, after telling the narrator not to fudge by looking too soon, finally says "Take a look. What do you think?"  The narrator says:

But I had my eyes closed.  I thought I'd keep them that way for a little longer.  I thought it was something I ought to do.
Referring to as many details in the story that you can find that might point to an explanation, discuss why the narrator thought this was something he ought to do.

2.   Carver once wrote:  "It's possible, in a poem or a short story, to write about commonplace things and objects using commonplace but precise language, and to endow those things -- a chair, a window curtain, a fork, a stone, a woman's earring -- with immense, even startling power....  If the words are heavy with the writer's own unbridled emotions, or if they are imprecise and inaccurate for some other reason - if the words are in any was blurred -- the reader's eyes will slide right over them and nothing will be achieved.  The reader's own artistic sense will simply not be engaged."

Pick one or two short passages from Carter's story -- at least one from near the end -- and explain how it engages your own artistic sense.  Focus on the particular features of precise language that struck your attention, and unpack some of the important connotations these release, for you, that account for the passage's power. 

"A & P"

How might one "read" Sammy's final action? Consider and analyze the following:

• Sammy's word choices
• Sammy's age
• The metaphors Sammy uses to describe people
• The setting of the grocery store?

"Everyday Use"

Choose one writing prompt and analyzle textual evidence to support.

1. How do Dee and the narrator differ in their feelings about being black? What may have contributed to these feelings?
2. How does Walker use symbolism to develop conflicts within a black community and family?
3. Write the story from either Maggie or Dee's point of view.

"How to Read Literature Like a Professor" and "The Metamorphosis"

After reading the first chapter of the book, write a question that digs for the symbolic meaning of "The Metamorphosis."

Unpacking Meaning in a Text: Anaysis of Literary Elements

Choose one of the following prompts to analyze with textual evidence.

1. How does Torvald's language towards his wife emphasize his view of her and their relationship?
2. How does borrowing and spending money portray the relationship of Nora and Torvald?
3. How does the setting of the holidays reinforce theme?
4. What might be the significance of the Christmas tree and Nora's dress? How might they contribute to theme and/or character?
5. Nora compares herself to a doll? Why? How does this metaphor and the metaphor of a doll's house develop and enhance theme?

Opening Question

What do you think makes a text a work of literature? What qualities or criteria does a piece of literature have to make it worth studying? Provide an example of a text that you consider to be worthy of studying.