Journal Entry #1 for "The Catcher in the Rye"

5 comments

1.)Holden Caufield is the protagonist and narrator of this story.
2.)Holden is sixteen years old and is going to be kicked out of Pencey Prep. because he is failing.
3.)Holden often times criticizes others to make himself feel good
4.)Holden is on the brink between adulthood and still being a child.
5.)Holden has the capability to act as an adult but chooses to act as a child.

4 questions

1.)Why does Holden feel the need to criticize others to feel better?
2.)What is holding Holden back from acting as an adult more often?
3.)Is Holden jealous of other people's possessions?
4.)Why does Holden let his roommate con him into writing an essay for him?

3 vocabulary words

1.) Grippe - An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. Pg 6
2.)Hemorrhages - Excessive discharge of blood from the blood vessels; profuse bleeding. Pg 3
3.)Chiffonier - A high chest of drawers or bureau, often having a mirror on top. Pg. 27

2 literary elements

1.) "Mother darling, give me your hand. Why won't you give me your hand?" This is Man vs. Man conflict because Holden is reaching out to Ackley to be friendly but Ackley is angry at Holden's level of maturity. Pg. 29
2.)"He always brought out the old sadist in me. I was pretty sadistic with him quite often." This is characterization because Holden is explaining himself as a character. The character that Ackley makes come from Holden. Pg. 29

1 summarizing sentence

1.) The Catcher in the Rye is an excellent read because of the way Holden views life as he undergoes these people in his life and the situation of being kicked out of Pencey Prep.