Luce

Holden is a very lonely and desperate person. He will spend time with anyone who is available. Even though he doesn't like Luce he didn't want him to leave because he would be lonely again. He doesn't want to be alone and feel more depressed. 

Holden and Mercutio

Holden identifies with Mercutio instead of Tybalt. He does this because he is more like Mercutio then Tybalt. They have more in common. Mercutio doesn't like the Capulets. One of the reasons he doesn't like them is because they are always concerned with the latest fashions and trends and they show off what they have. He is always ready to fight them. This is similar to Holden because he is always ready to fight phony people. He doesn't like people who act phony to others just like Mercutio doesn't like the Capulets for being to trendy. He also relates to Mercutio because he feels like the death of Mercutio is like the death of his brother Allie.

Horwitz

The point of the scene with Horwitz is to show the different personalities of characters. It tells the readers thatHorwitz is Holden's foil.

Holden and Horwitz differ by the following:

Horwitz- Sensitive, has a job, doesn’t drink, doesn't try to keep the conversation going, touchy, poor-works as a cab driver, older- more experienced.

Holden- Liar, doesn’t have a job, drinks, tries to hard to keep the conversation going, Holden is a little more laid back, rich-comes from a rich family, less experienced.

They aren't listening to each other.

Poems

Welcome Me, Adulthood

by Christina Cooper

Welcome me, Adulthood, I have ventured

through childhood with all the wonders and dangers in it.

I have placed my childhood fantasies aside,

and picked up hopes of becoming who I want to be.

Embrace me knowledge,

I am ready to know more and add to what I know already.

I have conquered my fear of the night,

now I only fear of becoming nothing.

I have stopped pretending to be what I thought I was going to be,

and realized that I am only what I make of myself.

I have come down from the land of make-believe,

and I have found the strength to believe in me.

So when I come upon you, open your arms,

and welcome me, Adulthood,

for I am headed your way.

I Am

by James Born

I am love in the face of hate

I am kindness in the face of ridicule

I am strength in the face of diversity

I am patience in the face of the mule

I will not run away from fear, I will not run and hide

I am bravery, I am pride

I will make a difference in this world, big or small

That is my promise to me , my promise to all

Vibrant

Intelligent

Caring

Trustworthy

Observant

Respectful

Inquisitive

Artistic

Happy and healthy

Always trusting and loyal 

Hardworking, caring, and fun

Holden lies to Mrs. Morrow

     I don't think that Mrs. Morrow is aware that Holden is making all the things he says about Ernie up. I think she fully believes him. She seems so interested and wants to keep hearing more. I think she is tricked by Holden's manipulative personality. The following is a letter from Mrs. Morrow to her son Ernie.

To my dearest Ernie,

     I met this nice young man named Holden last night while I was on a train. He goes to Pency Prep too and says that you boys are good friends. I am so proud of you. I can't believe what a nice boy he is. Good job Ernie and keep making more friends. I knew you had it in you. Holden also told me that he and a few of your friends were trying to get you to run for class president. I wish you would have, you would have done great. Oh well, there's always next year dear. Any who, I wish you would have told me about all of this. You can tell me anything dear. I feel that we have a lot of catching up to do. Oh and I invited him to visit us this summer at our house. He decline the offer because he is going to South America with his grandmother. Oh well, he'll come another time. I felt so bad for him when he told me he had a brain tumor. I can't believe it. He seems so happy and healthy. He said it's nothing major and it will be a quick surgery. I wish him luck. I will see you soon and we will catch up. Be safe dear!

Love, 

Mommy

object description

A white board laying there stiff. It has a rough texture. It is ready to be filled with color.

John Lennon's shooting

1. What happened at the scene of the shooting? Where did this take place?

Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon when he was coming out of his NYC apartment in 1980. After he shot him, instead of running, he sat and read "Catcher in the Rye". He read it until the police arrived.

2. What behavior on the part of Chapman set the stage for this amoral act?

Before Mark shot John, he already tried to commit suicide twice. This shows that he wasn't emotionally stable. He started signing John Lennons name for things. Like if his rent was due, he signed his name.

3. Why do you think Chapman felt a connection with Holden and the "Catcher in the Rye?"

He felt a connection because they shared some of the same characteristics. They were "both madmen". They were both jealous. I bet Mark was jealous of John Lennon because he was a famous star. Holden was jealous of his roommate. He may have thought that people were phony just like Holden did. Maybe he thought John was phony.