The Catcher in the Rye was a different type of book then ones we read this year. The story was narrated in first person by the narrator, a young man named Holden Caulfield, as he looked back on things that occurred in his life. Holden was a very undetermined and troubled boy. Holden has just been expelled from his fourth school because of his lack of effort and determination. He was told to wait three days to go back home but after a day full of annoyance and violence he decides to go back earlier. We truly see and understand the life of Holden as he describes events that occurred in his past. Holden continuously talks about his dead brother, Allie, and a girl he had feelings for, Jane. It was very hard for me to figure out whether I liked Holden or not. At times I found him very rude and annoying but other times I saw the good side in him. For example, when he is talking to one of his ex schoolmates parents. When asked about the child he lies telling how excellent the child is. These are the times when you can see Holden growing up and becoming a mature teenager. The part of the book when you really see Holden "man up" is when he watches his little sister, Phoebe, ride a carousel. He almost completely breaks down into tears because he realizes how much he truly cares and loves her.
This book surprised me in a lot of ways. When it began I thought that Holden would just be the average "slacker" or "non achiever" that we all come in contact with at some point. But some parts truly shocked me when the other side of him showed and you were able to see the struggle and difficulties he went through. This made it easier to understand the kind of attitude that he showed everyone. In a way I felt bad for him. Going from school to school because he never truly fit in or in a way didn't want to fit in. I was just glad that by the end of the book he felt a whole new sense of pride and determination to do better and make it big in the world.
Points To Focus On
- Grammar
- Focus Point
- Sentence Structure
- Content and Ideas
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Death of a Salesmen
In "Death of a Salesmen" there are many characters each with their own set of issues. Willy's hopes and dreams for his future was to create a career for his son, Biff. He wants Biff to have a career where he is very well respected and wealthy. He had a very bad life and he wished more for his sons. Willy thinks his son is worth more than his current life style and he wan ts him to be way more accomplished. Willy's current life style also is one to be looked upon.l Being only a travel salesman he does not make a lot. HE also suffers from hallucinations and random aggressive behavior. This makes for the confrontation and drama of the play. HE is not able to discuss with his son Biff without getting upset or upsetting Biff in return.
Willy's wife Linda is the obedient type. She tries to be a good wife and a good mother to her sons. Even with Willy's aggression and mistreatment towards her, she appears to be the only one who truly supports him. She has to steady deal with his hallucinations and horrible behavior alone because all of her children have moved on with their life. You can tell by the way she deals with things that she is just so tired and emotional unstable. I also feel as though she is upset with her children for making her deal with this all alone. Sometimes I feel as though she unleashes this anger when she confront her children about their poor treatment of their father. She hopes that Willy will succeed in his hopes and dreams for his future and family but she isn't sure if he will achieve this goal.
Biff is the older brother and son of Willy and Linda. Biff was the star of his high school football team and had a scholarship waiting for him after he graduated. Since Biff failed his math class all he had to do was make up the credits but attending summer school. He was going to attend, until he found out a disturbing detail about his father's actions. Willy was having am affair and it broke Biff's heart. After that Biff went from job to job, stealing, and even spending time in jail. Willy sees Biff as his biggest disappoint and because of this the two are constantly in fights concerning Biff's life.
Happy is the youngest son. He is very content and successful. Happy has a steady career, unlike Biff, so has no problems with Willy. Happy has a very stable life and because of it he risks it with sleeping with multiple women. Although Happy does have a comfortable life and life style he invites Biff to join in and work with him.
Points To Focus On
- Grammar
- Focus Point
- Sentence Structure
- Content and Ideas
Willy's wife Linda is the obedient type. She tries to be a good wife and a good mother to her sons. Even with Willy's aggression and mistreatment towards her, she appears to be the only one who truly supports him. She has to steady deal with his hallucinations and horrible behavior alone because all of her children have moved on with their life. You can tell by the way she deals with things that she is just so tired and emotional unstable. I also feel as though she is upset with her children for making her deal with this all alone. Sometimes I feel as though she unleashes this anger when she confront her children about their poor treatment of their father. She hopes that Willy will succeed in his hopes and dreams for his future and family but she isn't sure if he will achieve this goal.
Biff is the older brother and son of Willy and Linda. Biff was the star of his high school football team and had a scholarship waiting for him after he graduated. Since Biff failed his math class all he had to do was make up the credits but attending summer school. He was going to attend, until he found out a disturbing detail about his father's actions. Willy was having am affair and it broke Biff's heart. After that Biff went from job to job, stealing, and even spending time in jail. Willy sees Biff as his biggest disappoint and because of this the two are constantly in fights concerning Biff's life.
Happy is the youngest son. He is very content and successful. Happy has a steady career, unlike Biff, so has no problems with Willy. Happy has a very stable life and because of it he risks it with sleeping with multiple women. Although Happy does have a comfortable life and life style he invites Biff to join in and work with him.
Points To Focus On
- Grammar
- Focus Point
- Sentence Structure
- Content and Ideas
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