"After a hard day's work diggin' up the sod, we're ready for chow."

Welcome to our class's blog. We are discussing the latest topics we're studying in American history and literature. This website has been active since December 2005. Selected Excel 10 students will take turns posting their thoughts, and other Excel 10 students will comment on these posts. Parents, staff, and other interested persons are invited to add their comments on our musings. Any inappropriate comments will be deleted.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Holden: Love him or hate him?

Now that we have finished reading The Catcher In the Rye, what is your take on the book?

Did you like the main character, Holden Caulfield or did you secretly despise him? Many people have pointed out that Holden is a hypocrite. He constantly expresses his hate towards people who are phony, yet it is clear that Holden himself is a phony.


Also, what are your final thoughts on the book? Did you like The Catcher In The Rye? Why or why not?

C-Kal


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

After reading the novel, I truly felt that the only reason someone could like it is because so many people say "it is unreallll" or "it is a classic, a must read." Hype played a huge role in the digestion of this novel. Me, not playing into hype, acted quite critical towards this novel and its character. Holden is like the crazy person at the workplace that you are always nice to 'just in case.' The only thing that makes Holden likeable could be his compassion. The only problem would be that he only feels compassion towards others after he has done something that warrents remorse. ie blowing the smoke into the nuns face. Overall, I feel cheated after reading this "classic" novel and I have concluded that Holden would be someone that I would have good conversations with when I run into him, but I wouldnt call him up for tea.

Anonymous said...

I liked Holden as a character because he sees every negative aspect in people, and points out that one little negative aspect, making the other character a little less likable.

As a novel, I enjoyed the book because it was interesting to view how Holden sees everything, especially the phoney aspect of nearly every character.

Sean Turner

Anonymous said...

I liked the book and i felt that even thought Holden said everyone was a phonie, he was the real phonie. I think that at the end of the book he finaly figured out that he was the realy phonie all along and the he had learned a valuable lesson through the experiences that he went through in the book. I like dit but i felt that i would not read it again.
TrippC.