Themes in Catcher in the Rye through Journal Prompts
CATCHER IN THE RYE
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Journal Prompts
Chapters 1 & 2
First Impressions:
1.
Describe Holden’s personality to someone who
knows nothing about the novel. Use a simile in
your description.
2.
Do you like Holden? Why or why not?
Ch. 3 & 4
1.
Without giving names, describe some qualities of
one of your good friends. Include some of their
most memorable physical and personality based
traits.
2.
Now provide a description for someone you don’t
get along with so well.
3.
Which was easier to write? Why?
Ch. 5 & 6
1.
Describe a time when you have either been nice to
someone who you did not like, or a time when you
got into a physical fight with someone. Be sure to
describe your feelings and emotions before, during
and after the event.
Read “Experiencing the Death of a Sibling as an
Adolescent” article. Label 5 parts of the article that
connect to Holden and the main idea. Then, answer
these questions:
1.
What are the facts surrounding Allie’s death?
2.
What do we know about Allie? How is he similar
and different to Holden? Why did Holden love him
so much?
3.
How is Allie’s death influencing Holden’s behavior
and feelings currently? Long term?
Ch. 7 & 8
1.
If Holden hates Pencey so much, why is he crying
as he leaves?
2.
Why do you think Holden tells Mrs. Morrow so
many lies?
“The Truth About Lying” – Read the article and pair
up to answer the questions and complete the chart.
Ch. 9
1.
On page 67, Holden asks about the ducks. These
ducks are an important symbol in the novel. What
do you think they represent?
Chapters 10 & 11
Ch. .10
Describe two things that Holden does in this chapter
that demonstrates his loneliness.
Ch. 11
Why do you think that Holden likes Jane?
Ch. 12 and 13
1.
Define hypocritical –
2.
Discuss instances from chapters 12 and 13 that
show Holden is hypocritical.
Disillusionment
Disillusionment
Definition
-
A freeing or a being freed from
illusion or conviction; disenchantment
Explanation:
To burst someone’s bubble, open someone’s
eyes; to shatter someone’s illusions;
to
prick
or
put a pin in
[
someone’s
]
balloon
.
This expression refers to the fragile nature of
both soap bubbles and human illusions.
Is Holden disillusioned? How do you know?
Disillusionment continued
EXPLAIN HOW THE FOLLOWING QUOTES FROM
CH. 12 & 13 SHOW THAT HOLDEN IS
DISILLUSIONED. ALSO, STATE
WHO
OR
WHAT
HE IS DISILLUSIONED WITH AND WHY.
A.
“Even though it was so late, old Ernie’s was jam-
packed. Mostly with prep school jerks and college
jerks” (93).
B.
2. “People are always ruining things for you” (98).
C.
3. “New York’s terrible when somebody laughs on
the street very late at night. It makes you feel so
lonesome and depressed” (91).
Disillusionment cont.
Personal example & Gatsby chart of disillusionment
Chart my example
Chart Gatsby
Think of a time when you have been disillusioned and
chart that.
Ch. 14 and 15
Does Holden have any guilt about Allie? How do you
know?
Do you think Allie’s death may have caused some of
Holden’s disillusionment?
Go to next slide
Ch. 14 and 15
The six controversial elements of this novel that have
caused it to be banned are: profanity, dishonesty,
atheism, alcoholism, sexuality, promiscuity and
homosexuality.
Which of these elements are present in ch. 1-15?
Are they presented in such a way that you think
banning the book is necessary? Explain your answer.
Ch. 14 and 15
One theme in the novel is Holden’s appreciation for things
pure and innocent. List and explain examples of this from
chapters 1-15.
Look at the Catcher in the Rye Poem.
How does this connect to Holden?
Ch. 16 & 17
1.
Why do you think that Holden confesses all of this
to Sally on page 130?
2.
Is your idea of the perfect future closer to Holden’s
or Sally’s?
Ch. 18 and 19
Ch. 18. Why is Holden so lonely? Is he ever able to feel
less lonely?
Ch. 19. What does Holden value besides childhood
innocence? How do you know that he values these
things?
Ch. 20
List evidence of Holden’s downward spiral in this
chapter.
Dive into the world of "Catcher in the Rye" with engaging journal prompts that explore characters, relationships, and themes like loneliness, authenticity, and loss. Connect these prompts to real-life experiences and delve deeper into the symbolism and motifs within the novel.
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Presentation Transcript
CATCHER IN THE RYE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Chapters 1 & 2 First Impressions: Describe Holden s personality to someone who knows nothing about the novel. Use a simile in your description. 2. Do you like Holden? Why or why not? 1.
Ch. 3 & 4 Without giving names, describe some qualities of one of your good friends. Include some of their most memorable physical and personality based traits. 2. Now provide a description for someone you don t get along with so well. 3. Which was easier to write? Why? 1.
Ch. 5 & 6 Describe a time when you have either been nice to someone who you did not like, or a time when you got into a physical fight with someone. Be sure to describe your feelings and emotions before, during and after the event. 1.
Read Experiencing the Death of a Sibling as an Adolescent article. Label 5 parts of the article that connect to Holden and the main idea. Then, answer these questions: What are the facts surrounding Allie s death? 2. What do we know about Allie? How is he similar and different to Holden? Why did Holden love him so much? 3. How is Allie s death influencing Holden s behavior and feelings currently? Long term? 1.
Ch. 7 & 8 If Holden hates Pencey so much, why is he crying as he leaves? 2. Why do you think Holden tells Mrs. Morrow so many lies? 1. The Truth About Lying Read the article and pair up to answer the questions and complete the chart.
Ch. 9 On page 67, Holden asks about the ducks. These ducks are an important symbol in the novel. What do you think they represent? 1.
Chapters 10 & 11 Ch. .10 Describe two things that Holden does in this chapter that demonstrates his loneliness. Ch. 11 Why do you think that Holden likes Jane?
Ch. 12 and 13 Define hypocritical 1. 2. Discuss instances from chapters 12 and 13 that show Holden is hypocritical.
Disillusionment Disillusionment Definition - A freeing or a being freed from illusion or conviction; disenchantment Explanation: To burst someone s bubble, open someone s eyes; to shatter someone s illusions; to prick or put a pin in [someone s] balloon. This expression refers to the fragile nature of both soap bubbles and human illusions. Is Holden disillusioned? How do you know?
Disillusionment continued EXPLAIN HOW THE FOLLOWING QUOTES FROM CH. 12 & 13 SHOW THAT HOLDEN IS DISILLUSIONED. ALSO, STATE WHO OR WHAT HE IS DISILLUSIONED WITH AND WHY. A. Even though it was so late, old Ernie s was jam- packed. Mostly with prep school jerks and college jerks (93). B. 2. People are always ruining things for you (98). C. 3. New York s terrible when somebody laughs on the street very late at night. It makes you feel so lonesome and depressed (91).
Disillusionment cont. Personal example & Gatsby chart of disillusionment Chart my example Chart Gatsby Think of a time when you have been disillusioned and chart that.
Ch. 14 and 15 Does Holden have any guilt about Allie? How do you know? Do you think Allie s death may have caused some of Holden s disillusionment? Go to next slide
Ch. 14 and 15 The six controversial elements of this novel that have caused it to be banned are: profanity, dishonesty, atheism, alcoholism, sexuality, promiscuity and homosexuality. Which of these elements are present in ch. 1-15? Are they presented in such a way that you think banning the book is necessary? Explain your answer.
Ch. 14 and 15 One theme in the novel is Holden s appreciation for things pure and innocent. List and explain examples of this from chapters 1-15. Look at the Catcher in the Rye Poem. How does this connect to Holden?
Ch. 16 & 17 Why do you think that Holden confesses all of this to Sally on page 130? 2. Is your idea of the perfect future closer to Holden s or Sally s? 1.
Ch. 18 and 19 Ch. 18. Why is Holden so lonely? Is he ever able to feel less lonely? Ch. 19. What does Holden value besides childhood innocence? How do you know that he values these things?
Ch. 20 List evidence of Holden s downward spiral in this chapter.
