Blaming Television and Movies Is Easy and Wrong

CATCHER IN THE RYEby JD Salinger

Literary Analysis Essay Final

American Literature/ Mr. Mendelsohn/ Verdugo Hills Multimedia Magnet HS

In JD Salinger’s novel, Catcher In The Rye, Holden Caulfield criticizes most of the adults and his peers for being “phonies,” and he does everything he can to push people away. Paradoxically, Holden attempts to reach out to several other characters, and even exhibits moments of sensitivity and caring. His internal conflicts and desire to “hold on” to the innocence of childhood eventually cause him to break down, with a possible hint at redemption.

WRITING PROMPT

In a well-written essay of 2-3 pages, discuss Holden’s paradoxical personality and how his thoughts and actions affect his desire to hold on to his innocence and his search for identity and happiness. What commentary do you think JD Salinger is making about innocence, search for identity, and the pursuit of happiness? Address the following essential questions in your commentary (CM):

• In what specific ways is Holden a walking paradox?

• What things does Holden value most about innocence?

• What happens when people lose their innocence? (Hint: think “phonies” and “jerks”)

• Can Holden (or anyone, for that matter) ever return to a child-like state of innocence?

• What do you think Holden’s chances are for happiness and self-identity?

In order to be proficient, your essay must:

• directly address the writing prompt and most or all of the essential questions

• demonstrate a clear understanding of the text through the use of specific quotes (CDs)

• show clearly how Holden is paradoxical in his behavior and conversation

• show clearly how Holden deals with the themes of innocence, identity, and happiness

• precede each CD with an Intro to Concrete Detail (ICD) to establish context of each CD

CHECKLIST of GENERAL ESSAY CRITERIA (See the website for MLA style guides)

To meet the standards for writing, your essay must:

___ contain a thesis that addresses Holden’s paradoxes and the themes

___ follow MLA format for quotation marks and citations

___ follow MLA format for name, date, class title, period and essay title

___ heading, title and body word processed with 12 pt. Times New Roman font only

___ be at least two typed, stapled pages, double-spaced, standard 1” margins

___ be no more than three typed, stapled pages, double-spaced, standard 1” margins

___ follow the mechanics, usage, and grammar of standard written English

___ be free of mechanical and printing errors (smudges, glitches, faded ink, etc.)

___ meet the standards for proficiency in the VHHS Writing Program Rubric

___ be turned in by the deadline

MLA CITATION FOR A QUOTE (CD) FROM A SINGLE TEXT W/ICD

[ICD]Phoebe senses that Holden is totally confused. Assuming the role of an adult, she challenges Holden by asking him what he wants to do with his life. [CD]Holden responds, “What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff…that’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all” (Salinger 173).

Revised 10/2016