I personally have really enjoyed reading the book so far. I really love Holden as a character and it's not hard for me to connect with him as a teenager. I've met several people through out my life who remind me so much of Holden it's un-canning. I really enjoy his take on life. Call me crazy, but there's just something about a pessimist. I always wonder how they came to be that way, what makes them tick. I love that they don't have that same cookie cutter take on life. He's what's considered the typical teenage boy, or one of the types of the typical teenage boys. You have the boys who are the classic quarter-back of the football team. The guys who get all the girls, and who would be that perfect son in law to bring home to your parents, and then you have guys like Holden. The guys who don't really care, who in my opinion would be one of those types of boys who are more "gamers" or "skateboarders" in today's society. The guys who are kind of scruffy, who don't really care what your parents think of them. The boys who maybe don't get a whole lot of girls.
I empathize with Holden. I can really relate to his outlook on life, because I myself get that way. That mood where you just don't really feel like being around people, and it just kind of irritates you to be out in public. I get in a mood where all I would like to do is hole up in my room with a good book, and just get lost in it. When he said, "Finally I put my book down on the floor. You couldn't read anything with a guy like Ackley around. It was impossible." I understood where he was coming from. In a house with two younger siblings, when you get in that mood where all you wanna do is be left alone and read a book, you run into similar situations like Holden had with Ackley, a lot.
Another place where I really empathized with Holden was when he said, "Everybody says that, especially my father." I think every teenager at one point or another in their life can empathize with this. It's the typical teenage way to feel misunderstood, or judged, or have run ins with your parents. Everyone at some point or another has had a run in with them, and I think that when Salinger put this quote in the book, it was a huge part no matter how small. Compared to the literature at the time which was written for the parents, this is a huge change. To show it from the teens point of view, that rebelliousness against the authority figure.
Sami I really liked your blog, you made this book that might be difficult to understand, more understandable. You really related to Holden and his situations, and maybe with your understanding with this book, other might be able to relate also. I as wondering what do you mean when you say it interest you that they don't have the same cookie cutter in life?
ReplyDeleteThe phrase "cookie cutter" is often used to describe any typical stereotype. In this instance I was using it to describe that typical life style that as Americans we are expected to leave. With teenagers we have a lot of common stereotypes that we are supposed to fall under, and a lot of things that we are expected to do, and I really admired Holden as a character because he didn't fall into that pattern. His thought process is what made his character so like able to me.
DeleteYa know, about that literature of the times: written for parents, almost like a guide to being a phony! Let's all go with the good guys to prom, why don't we? Holden's gotta character that's thinking what a lot of teens at the time were thinking, right: book breaks down this facade of what teens are s'posed to be and takes it to that level of relatability that's really "un-canning", it really does.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about the pessimists! Even though they have a negative connotation, they seem so real to me. I suppose brutally honest in a way. They don't put up a front because they do not care what people think. Sometimes I find myself wanting nothing to do with society. Then people don't understand and they won't stop bothering you! So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on sometimes just not wanting to be around people I feel that alot coming to school sometimes I feel like I just feel like I'm in a hole and nobody else even notices I'm gone but I put this mask on and act like everything is okay.
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