The Catcher in the Rye-J. D. Salinger

English II-MacPherson

Long Term Assignments

1) Author Bookmark- Create a bookmark containing biographical information on J. D. Salinger. The front should have a picture and contain pertinent information about his life. Put lines on the back under the heading “Favorite Lines” to fill in as you read.

2) Study Guide Questions- Study guide questions need to be completed in correlation with our reading. Provide quotes with page numbers as needed. Leave space after each response for class notes. Study guide questions will be submitted at the end of this unit so avoid one or two word answers if you want full credit.

3) Theme Tracer- The class will be split into groups and assigned one of the following themes to trace throughout the novel: Holden’s relationship with women, hypocrisy, alienation, and death. As you read, jot down key passages with page numbers relating to your theme. You will be given class time to share your findings with your group.

4) Vocabulary- The Catcher in the Rye is told from the point of view of a sixteen-year-old boy so the vocabulary isn’t very difficult. We will look at a few terms from the novel (mainly outdated slang) but will not be tested on them. Therefore, we will return to the Hit Parade for SAT preparation.

5) Literary Terms- We will examine hyperbole, stream of consciousness, internal (interior) monologue, and symbolism. Definitions and examples will follow…

6) Narration- We will explore narrator reliability. As this may be a new concept to many of your, we will discuss it in detail. We will hone our skills by applying what we learn about narrator reliability through Catcher and apply them to several short stories.

7) Poetry- Several poems mesh perfectly with certain themes from Catcher. WE will explore this relationship through John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover,” and Robert Burns’ “Comin’ Through the Rye.”

8) Writing-

a. We will write our own internal monologues.

b. We will write a response to Holden upon completion of the novel. This will supply a reaction as well as trying to capture Holden’s “voice.” Details will follow.

c. Final Paper- An analysis of several major themes found in the novel will be explored in a three to five page paper. Details will follow.

9) Censorship- The Catcher in the Rye has been banned in many high schools. We will examine why, along with studying critiques supporting this position.

10) Tie to Life- Mark David Chapman, the man who shot and killed John Lennon, claimed that he was the Catcher in the Rye and that anyone who read Catcher would understand why he committed this crime. We will examine his gross misinterpretation of the text.

The Catcher in the Rye contains some very adult situations and language. I need to be sure that all students can observe this text in a mature manner to avoid any uncomfortable or even offensive situations.