Catcher in the Rye Lit Terms

Catcher in the Rye

Literary Terms and Definitions

Study Guide Examples

Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 1-4

Allusion: a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication

Literary examples of Allusion

“for the birds” (p2) Holden is telling the reader that something is worthless; untrue

“the ax” (4) fired or expelled

“faggy” (2) thin (this term is not used this way any longer)

“killed me” (23) delighted or surprised

Conflict

The struggle between two opposing forces, usually characters.

Internal conflict- struggle within oneself or conscience

External- struggle with an outside force {nature, environment or a character}

Characters

Individuals involved (directly or indirectly) in the action of the story.

Protagonist: central character of the story. Struggles against the antagonist

Antagonist-conflicting force against the protagonist.

(FYI the antagonist can be another person, force of nature or the protagonist struggling within themselves)

Setting

The time and place, or where and when, the action occurs.

This includes the social and political environment, as well as the mood or atmosphere

Chronological-the time in which a story takes place (era, season, date, time of day, etc)

Setting of The Catcher in the Rye

Pennsylvania

New York City

Late 1940s-early 1950s

Long weekend

Point of View

Perspective from which a story is told. Narrator-the “voice” that tells the story First Person-narrator that uses first

person pronouns (I, me, my, myself, etc)

Third Person Limited- narrator tells the story from a third person perspective (using he, she, it, they, etc)

Third Person Omniscient-like third person limited only this type of narrator observes the action as an outside observer revealing the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of several characters

Diction

Simply the selection of words or phrases an author has made.

The words chosen by the author may provide a literal definition and add an implied meaning.

Syntax

Organization of words and their relationship to each other.

It’s how the words are arranged on the page.

For example, an author may use short words spaced by gaps in dialogue may “sound” stunted and uncomfortable.

Explain how Salinger uses syntax or specific diction to convey a particular image, idea or impression

“Grand. There’s a word I really hate. It’s a phony” (Salinger, 9).

Explanation: This is the first time Holden uses the word “phony” in the story, but it recurs several times afterwards. Hypocrisy is one of the greatest faults that he finds with the adult world.Holden has no problem chastising people for being “phony”, yet he doesn’t directly call Mr. Spencer a phony. Holden treats the word like a person by calling it a “phony” instead of saying that someone who uses that word is acting “phony”. This reveals Holden’s willingness to forgive or overlook the faults that he despises in others.

Literary Terms

Chapters 5-8

Bildungsroman

Bildungsroman

A novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character.

Traditionally there are four areas of growth:

1. shows the individual development of character and progression towards maturity within a particular period or specific social structure

2. the journey is initiated by a loss or disappointment that prompts the hero to leave the safety of a home at a young age

.

Bildungsroman continued

3. evolution of the individual’s character is long and difficult.

4.journey results in the individual’s tolerance to and adoption of society's values

Subtext

Subtext

Underlying meaning or implication that relies heavily on the author’s use of diction {words the author

chooses} and syntax {organization of the words}

Explain how the following quote reveals something about Holden’s personality, others’ personalities, or his opinions about others that he has not explicitly stated.

“I didn’t answer him right away. Suspense is good for some bastards like Stradlater. ‘What on?’ I said” (Salinger, 28).

Holden attempts to toy with Stradlater, but his question reveals that he will most likely do what Stradlater asks. This scenario implies this happens to Holden often. Holden is accustomed to doing what Stradlater asks and Stradlater is accustomed to getting his way.

Quotation Citation Class example

Use the following information and put it in the proper format for an in text quote.

Salinger “ “ ( ) 1 , He used to be just a regular writer, when he was home.

“He used to be just a regular writer, when he was home” (Salinger, 1).

" 'Canasta, for Christsake. Do you know what time it is by any chance?'

" (47).

• Turn to page 47 and find a line you want to quote.

Example of a quote within a quote.

Single then double quotes

Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 9-12

Literary Terms

Foil-where the author creates a character whose primary purpose is to create a contrast to another character.

HoldenStradlater Ackely

Examples of how Ackely and Stradlater are foils

Ackey Stradlater

Slob- smells bad, does not brush his teeth, cuts nails over the rug, picks his nails, pops his pimple and eats with his mouth open

Personal Hygiene “secret-slob”—looks good and well groomed, but toiletries are

a mess and razor is filthy

Senior in high school

Ackley puts a lot of emphasis on

how old he is—tries to be an adult .

Age/Grade in schoolSenior in high school

Stradlater doesn’t really pull ‘rank’ on Holden even though he

is older.

Physical AppearanceBroad shoulders, athletic build, good looking— ‘year book good

looking’

Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 13-16

Literary Terms

Conflict: the struggle found in fiction.

Types of conflict:Man vs. Man-this can be with an individual or

societyMan vs. Nature- this can be the natural worldMan vs. Himself- when you are fighting

internally over an issue

Stream of ConsciousnessAdd it below the chart on your study guide

Stream-of-consciousness- relies heavily on the voice of the narrator—leaving the world of reality behind—emphasizes the viewpoint of the character.

Catcher in the Rye is not a complete stream-of-consciousness novel because it doesn’t all happen in Holden’s head, but his story is told to another person.

At the beginning of chapter 10 & 11, Holden imparts two long memories of his sister Phoebe and Jane. Fill in the chart

comparing the two memories and follow his train of thought.

Phoebe Jane

Holden things of calling her while putting on his shirt.

What, if anything, sparks these thoughts?

He says she ‘pops’ into his head on the way to the lobby.

Using the text for support, describe his transitions from one

point to another within the memories.

Transitions are slower and keep pace with the progress of their relationship from the their first to their most intimate meeting.

Descriptive. Holden spends a lot time describing her likes and dislikes, he commends her ‘sense’ and taste in movies—he even shares her favorite move, Alfred Hitchcock's 39 Steps

Does this memory seem mainly descriptive or is there more

action? Use examples to explain.

Examples of Conflict

Quote: “I’m one of those very yellow guys” (88).

Opposition: himself, man v. man, man v. society

Explanation: Holden is struggling with his passive nature and tells the reader that his why he is weak. He struggles with the idea that ‘real’ men are supposed to be aggressive and like violence. Salinger uses Stradlater’s character to represent this manly ideal.

Let’s do one together

Quote: “Life is a game boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules’… Game, my ass. Some game” (8).

Type of Conflict: man v. society, man v. himself, man v. man and man v. natureExplanation: Holden realizes that whenever someone tells him that life is a game they don’t also point out that the cards may be stacked for against certain players. The rules of life aren’t fair so the game isn’t always the same for everyone.

Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 17-21

Perspective of Narrative Devices

There are two that we will focus on:

Narrative Distance in time

Reliability of the narrator

Narrative distance in time

Refers to the gap between the time a story takes place and the time the narrator tells it to the reader.

Example: If someone tells you about their military experiences as they experience them then the accuracy of events may be more precise. However, if a grandfather waits to tell of his military experiences fifty years after experiencing them his life experiences will change his accuracy of what he dealt with.

Reliability of the Narrator

The degree to which the reader can accept what the narrator relates as fact. Essentially, we must ask, “Can the reader trust what the narrator is saying?”

For example: In chapter 17 Sally tells Holden to keep his voice down while Holden reassures the reader that he was calm. Is Holden’s retelling of this scene accurate? Is he trustworthy?

Read the quote. Decide if Holden is simply intentionally or unintentionally omitting the

truth.

“Stop screaming at me, please, ‘she said. Which was crap, because I wasn’t even screaming at her” (132).

a.What is Holden’s point of view? How do we know what he believes? Holden believes he is acting normally. He calls her view ‘crap’, showing that he is not fully in control.

b.What does Sally believe about the situation? How do we know? The reader only knows what Sally says or does through Holden.

c. Why do you think this discrepancy occurred?Holden is focused on asking Sally to run away with him, but Sally is more concerned how others will see her. He is thinking with his emotions, not logic.

d. Which interpretation do you agree with and why?Holden is getting very excited at the prospect of leaving everything behind which puts his credibility into questions since most sane people to plan to run away spur of the moment.

Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 22-26

characters who never make an actual appearance in the story, but who have great influence over the main character’s decisions.

Absent Characters

Identifying feelings about absent characters

Character’s Name: Character’s name: Character’s Name: Character’s Name:

 Allie  D.B.    

 "[He] had this left-handed fielder’s mitt" (38).   

 "He used to be just a regular writer, when he was home"(1).

 "he’s always investing money in shows on Broadway" (107).

 "You’re damn rightI know her" (31).

Holden’s feelings about this person: Holden loved Allie deeplyand is still sufferingfrom his death.   

Holden’s feelings about this person:

He admires D.B.’s writing , but is disappointed with the fact he’s writing for Hollywood now. 

Holden’s feelings about this person: 

Holden’s feelings about this person: 

Influence on Holden:

Holden is still grieving For Allie, and hasdisconnected himselfform others and travelsthrough the novellooking for some greatermeaning to life; wishing toprotect children/innocence.

Influence on Holden:Holden misses D.B. –especially after the loss of Allie. He finds himself going to all of their old ‘haunts’ and thinks of better times when D.B. was there.

Influence on Holden: Influence on Holden:

Symbolism

Symbolism- a word or object that stands for another word or object.

For example a dove stands for Peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot.

Symbolism in Catcher in the Rye

Symbol Description Explanation

Holden’s Hunting hat

Holden’s hat is a ‘loud’ red statement where he separateshimself from anyone else when he wears it. He calls it his "people shooting hat" and doesn’t care what he looks like in it.

The hat is supposed to shield Holden from the cold, but it really shields him from the phonies in the adult world. The hat is also a reminder of both Allie and Phoebe’s red hair even if it is onlysubconsciously.

Allie’s baseball glove

 left-handed leather mitt that was well worn with poems written all over it in green ink

Allie’s mitt is a physical representation of the person—who Allie was. Allie was smart kid—represented by the poems, young--green can be used symbolically for ‘youth’ things that are young are ‘green’ and he was all around a good person. Think of the epitome of Americana—loves mom, apple pie and baseball.