notes The Catcher in the Rye

Names Holden Phoebe Earnest Caulfield

Holden’s words Notice the repetition and usage of these words: Phony Kill Goddam Chrissake Sorry Sad Madman

Vernacular- Defined Definition of VERNACULAR a : using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language b : of, relating to, or being a nonstandard language or dialect of a place, region, or country c : of, relating to, or being the normal spoken form of a languagelanguageforeign languagelanguage

Use of the venacular J.D. Salinger's use of slang or the vernacular in The Catcher in the Rye is one of the reasons that the novel was considered groundbreaking (and at the same time controversial). Readers identified with Holden Caulfield (the novel's narrator) because they could "hear" his thoughts through his natural voice, a voice ridden with repetitious slang words and expressions that may now seem either commonplace or completely outdated to current readers.

Vernacular- in context hit the ceiling "I mean he didn't hit the ceiling or anything." (8) booze hound "Her mother was married again to some booze hound." (32) lousy "boy, was she lousy with rocks." (55) kill "Sensitive. That killed me." (55) buzz "I felt like giving somebody a buzz." (59)

Chapters 1-8 Take place on a Saturday What has happened so far? Fencing game- left foils on the subway Football game hanging at the dorm-Ackley creeping Sees history teacher Talks about Jane Writes paper Gets in fight Leaves Pencey Takes train and talks to Mrs. Morrow

Holden as a Christ-like figure His head is bleeding after Stradlater fights with him. Holden walks into Ackley's room with blood dripping on his face. There is a light shining behind his head. We might picture a halo. Holden turns on the light, and the first word Ackley says is "Jesus!" As you read- notice: - Is Holden self-sacrificing? - Known to have spent time in the wilderness? - Is forgiving? - Is good with children? - Walks on water?

Chapters 9 “You know those little ducks in the lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know, by any chance?” (60). Holden adds another “I am” statement- “ I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw” (62). Do you believe him? How does he counteract this? Why do you think Holden does not follow through with Faith Cavendish ( pg )

Chapters 10 How is Holden the “misfit” in his family? - Discuss Phoebe - How old is she? - What does she look like? - “She’s quite skinny, like me, but nice skinny. Roller-skate skinny” (67). - How would you characterize her personality? How would you characterize Holden’s childhood through his discussion of Phoebe? Is Holden offensive in his discussion of women? Is Holden self-deprecating? Does Holden embody the best and worst of all people? Is he a sympathetic character?