The Catcher in the Rye essay- due March 4
Assignment: Write a three to four page, five-paragraph analytical essay on The Catcher in the Rye.
Format: MLA style (heading, title, double-spaced, numbered pages)
Special instructions: Circle your central idea.
Special instructions: Circle your central idea.
Underline your thesis statement in your first paragraph.
Underline your topic sentences in your body paragraphs.
Due date: March 4
Due date: March 4
What is an analytical essay?
An analytical essay "analyzes" some method, writing technique, or motif of the author that YOU have noticed or that WE have discussed in class. That method might be some motif (like materialism) or theme (like Holden's desire to save childhood innocence). That method might be the use of characters to reveal some theme (like the use of Ackley, Stradlater, and Sally Hayes to show "phony" adolescents). That method might analyze settings, objects, symbols, etc.
Here is a review of the many motifs and themes from Catcher that we have covered from which you might come up with a central idea: religious hypocrisy, corruptive nature of money, phoniness of the adult world, phoniness of the adolescent world, falling imagery, catching imagery, Catcher in the Rye symbols, etc.
The manner in which you present your analysis might be through analyzing characters, their actions, their descriptions, or their dialogue. You might want to analyze by looking at objects, specific scenes, or settings in the book. This is up to you. This decision becomes your thesis statement.
You are pointing out what you've noticed through your analysis. After I read your analytical paper, theoretically, when I re-read the novel, I will do so with an understanding that I did not have before.
You are NOT to use any outside sources at all! Doing so will result in a grade of zero for plagiarism.
Here are examples of a central idea and a thesis statement for your essay. In your essay, I'd like you to circle your central idea and underline your thesis statement. You may NOT write about this central idea and thesis statement!
Central idea (this is a clear statement of the point that you wish to make by your analysis of the novel)
e.g. Holden's heroes are idealized innocent children, a notion that contributes to his problem of not wanting to grow up.
Thesis statement (this is a sentence or sentences that include how you wish to prove the central idea)
e.g. Without an adult role model, Holden looks to three inspirations to remain in his state of arrested development: his deceased brother Allie, his childhood friend Jane Gallagher, and his beloved younger sister Phoebe.
Style requirements for formal essays
Be formal with your language (do not
use contractions, slang, figures of speech)
Do not ask rhetorical questions
Write in the third person about the novel
Write about the events of the story in the present tense
posted by JTF @ 8:47 AM
44 comments
44 Comments:
Central Idea: Throughout the book, Holden perceives the adult world as “phony” and superficial.
Thesis Statement: Because Holden perceives adulthood as “phony”, he is stuck in the innocence of childhood, fears the change of growing up, and learns that he can’t criticize the superficiality of adults and the world of perverts forever.
Central Idea:
The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the theme of catching and falling, which ties in with Holden Caulfield’s views on preserving innocence and his dislike of the adult world.
Thesis:
The theme of catching and falling is revealed in Holden’s conversation with Pheobe about the “Catcher in the Rye,” Mr. Antollini’s lecture about Holden’s “fall,” and the scene with Pheobe and the carrousel.
Central Idea:
In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s disgust at the adult world makes him cling tightly to the innocence and familiarity of childhood.
Thesis Statement:
To remain in a state of innocence, Holden grabs onto the memory of three people from his childhood: Jane Gallagher, a best friend from his past; Allie, his dead little brother; and Phoebe, his little sister who despite Holden’s wishes, is growing up.
Holden's confusion about girls and sex is revealed in characters such as the "three witches," Sunny, and Sally Hayes.
Central Idea:
Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, there are many events that involve catching and falling and tie in with a central theme of the novel.
Thesis:
Catching and falling are represented in three major events throughout the novel: Holden’s dream to be the “catcher in the rye,” James Castle, who fell out of a window at Pencey, and the children on the carousel in the park.
Still attached to his childhood, Holden is often involved in events relating to the recurring motif of catching and falling, otherwise known as the fall from innocence into adulthood. Catching and falling can be exhibited from events in the book like Allie's baseball mitt, Holden's tripping over the suitcase, the suicide of James Castle, and falling off of the carousel.
Central Idea: Holden's journal details the progression of his falling and catching, connecting himself to the title of the book.
Thesis Statement: Finding himself walking around the city of New York, Holden's mentality of disliking virtually everything and actions of giving up signal his ultimate fall yet catch into the "rest place."
Central idea: The concepts of catching and falling, displayed by symbolism throughout the novel, directly relate to Holden's demise as well as his mission of preserving the youths of the world.
Thesis Statement: The catching and falling imagery exhibited in the novel, are displayed greatly in Holden's fantasy, Mr. Antollini's lecture, as well as the carousel scene, which all project Holden's fallen mental state and need for a savior.
Central idea: The concepts of catching and falling, displayed by symbolism throughout the novel, directly relate to Holden's demise as well as his mission of preserving the youths of the world.
Thesis Statement: The catching and falling imagery exhibited in the novel, are displayed greatly in Holden's fantasy, Mr. Antollini's lecture, as well as the carousel scene, which all project Holden's fallen mental state and need for a savior.
Central idea: Holden feels that wealth and materialistic desires lead to corruption.
Thesis: Holden relates money and materialism with phoniness which contributes to his hatred for the corrupt wealthy lifestyle.
Central Idea: Today’s world (people, culture, and values) has become overly materialistic.
Thesis Statement: Holden’s views on phonies, money, and other possessions in the book are used to criticize American materialism.
CENTRAL IDEA:
There is a constant criticism of a morally corrupt world through out the book.
THESIS:
Through out “A Catcher in the Rye” there is a constant criticism of a morally corrupt world. The main character Holden, is involved in many incidents in which this is displayed, such as his encounter with the prostitute, when he visits the hotel, and when he goes out for drinks with Carl Luce.
In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden reveals his view of the world as a morally corrupt place through his depiction of New York as a dirty town, his interactions with Maurice and Sunny, and his description of the crookedness that went on in both Phoebe's school and his own.
Central Idea:
Holden despises the adult world because he believes the adult world is filled with "phoniness."
Thesis Statement:
Holden believes that becoming an adult comes with "phoniness", which he believes comes with being a shallow, arrogant, hypocrites. For Holden "phoniness"is the cause of everything bad going on around him and is his reason for being so overly critical.
Central Idea: Holden believes that he is called to preserve the foundation of childhood for the children of the world.
Thesis Statement: Because of Holden’s own fear of encountering adolescence, he feels the need to protect children from the challenges and phoniness of the adult world by acting as the catcher in the rye, erasing the “FUs” off of the school walls, and persuading Phoebe to ride the carousel.
Central Idea: Holden has a view of the outside world, which is filthy and unmoral, and this leads him to his various problems with innocence and protection.
Thesis Statement: In the brave new world after World War Two, Holden Caulfield looks upon the outside world which traumatizes and confuses him greatly.
Throughout the Catcher and the Rye, there are many instances that show corruption in the world such as, Stradlater on his date with Jane, Holden's parents not helping him in school and other ways, and through the kids on the seesaw.
Throughout the novel, we learn more about Holden and his love for childhood, which becomes evident through his relationships with his younger sister Phoebe, his deceased brother Allie, and his childhood friend Jane.
Central idea: Part of Holden's issue is that he is trying to avoid phoniness but lives in a world where basically everyone he meets is phony.
Thesis statement: Holden's hatred of phoniness can be characterized by his encounters with people such as Ossenburger, Sally Hayes, and Stradlater.
Central idea: Holden's immaturity and hatred for the adult world are results from his interactions with young children.
Thesis statement: Three people throughout Holden's life have contributed to his confused state of mind: Phoebe, Jane Gallagher, and Allie.
Central Idea: The author uses certain types of imagery to allude to Holden's desire to remain childlike.
Thesis Statement: The use of catching and falling imagery throughout the novel seems to correlate to Holden's wish for him and the others around him to live in eternal childhood and innocence.
Central Idea
Holden believes that children who are “falling” should be “caught”, and there are many instances in this novel where the motifs are used.
Thesis
Holden refers to the motif of catching and falling in three major instances: in his “catcher in the rye” fantasy, when Mr. Antolini talks to him about falling in life, and when he realizes in the end of the novel that sometimes one has to let children “fall”.
Central idea: Holden is in a continual downward spiral and needs someone to catch him before he is completely lost. This idea and imagery of catching an d falling is a motif commonly seen throughout the novel.
Thesis statement: The catching and falling motif can be seen at the carousel, crossing the street, and the interactions Holden has with children.
Central idea: Holden's quest to end his loneliness was seen constantly throughout this book, although he seems to sabotage these attempts, maybe as a form of protection. Thesis: Without a true friend, Holden seems to seek for one, but sabotages himself, in three people: his old teacher Mr. Antolini, the prostitute Sunny, and an old classmate Carl Luce.
Central Idea: Holden's lover for children and childhood blooms from his hatred for the phony adult world, which he lives in know.
Thesis: Three people in Holden's life: Phoebe, Allie, and Mr. Antonelli, have had a huge impact on his personality and character.
Central Idea: Holden's lover for children and childhood blooms from his hatred for the phony adult world, which he lives in know.
Thesis: Three people in Holden's life: Phoebe, Allie, and Mr. Antonelli, have had a huge impact on his personality and character.
Central Theme: Holden's dislike of the materialism of society and phoniness stems partly from his fascination with the innocence of youth. (In other words, Holden believes most adults are phonies, and a child could never be a phony)
Thesis: Holden's hatred of materialism, and fascination with the innocence of youth means he likes the nuns and phoebe, but dislikes the phoniness of actors and musicians.
Central Idea: Holden is always looking for a companion, a sign that he is afraid of being on his own.
Thesis Statement: Since Holden demonstrates a fear of being alone, he searches for companionship in three characters: Ackley, Sally Hayes, and Mr. Antolini.
Central Idea: Holden Caulfield is an immature teenager who refuses to mature into adulthood.
Thesis: Holden’s obsession with his younger sister Phoebe, his old friend Jane Gallagher, and his red hunting cap are a result of his desire to cling onto his youth and childhood.
Central idea: Part of Holden's problem is that every minuscule situation seems to get him depressed.
Hypothesis: Holden Caulfield's life-altering depression can be traced back to his solitude and lack of real companionship, the death of his beloved Allie, and his lack of drive and ambition.
The central theme of my paper is Holden’s views on a morally corrupt world and how that makes Holden afraid of growing up and why he tries to preserve the innocence of those he cares about, and how that makes his suspicious of every “phony” with money.
Holden Caufield is very suspicious of people after witnessing how morally corrupt the adults of the world are causing his attempts to try to preserve his innocence and the innocence of others around him, accusing everyone of “phoniness,” and his confusion of sex and intimacy.
Central Idea: Holden dislikes anyone is rich and well off, for Holden believes that money by its nature can make a man corrupt.
Thesis Statement: Holden developed this view early, and his view is strengthened with the interactions Holden has with Ossenburger, Maurice and Sunny, and his brother D.B.
Holden's obsession with being the "Catcher in the Rye" is brought by the endless phoniness he sees in the adult and adolescent world.
Central Idea
Holden shows more interest in children and the past than he does in adults and the future.
Thesis Statement
Holden is strongly attached with children and his past which he demonstrates by: obsessing over his dead brother Allie, constantly thinking about the young Jane Gallagher, and his idea of the adult world as a "phony" place.
Central idea: The materialism, need for money, and corruption of morals all contribute to Holden’s unwillingness to grow up into the adult world.
Thesis: Although Holden grew up in a family with money, he does not give into the destructive nature that society has on values. Through his experiences and analysis with his family and peers, he grew to despise the phony world he is forced to grow up in.
While Holden looks to grow up and mature in his own personal ways and lifestyle, he still attempts to preserve the same innocence he and his peers once had when they were much younger.
Holden’s best memories are those of his childhood, a much more innocent time. This is a huge contributing factor in his hatred towards adults.
Holden makes his hatred toward the adult world very clear in The Catcher in the Rye. This hatred is specifically brought to the forefront when Holden talks about his father, whom he has little to no relationship with, Sally Hayes mother, who is very materialistic, and Mr. Haas, Holden’s “phony” headmaster from Elkton Hills.
Central Idea: Holden fails to grow up in his modern society as he constantly dwells on the past and his childhood.
Thesis Statement: As Holden grows up physically, he fails to grow up socially and mentally as shown by how he frequently reminisces about him and Jane as kids, never fully overcomes Allie's death, and finds everything about adult society "phony" and wrong
Central idea: Throughout the novel, there is a recurring motif revolving around catching and falling which is directly connected to Holden's hatred of the adult world and wanting to preserve the childhood of himself and other children.
Thesis: The catching and falling motif is revealed in Holden's fantasy to be the catcher in the rye, Mr. Antollini's lecture, and the carousel scene.
Central Idea: Holden hates "phonies", especially adults who are caught up with the world around them. He hates people who let society corrupt them.
Thesis: Holden's vast hatred of hypocrital adults has diagnosed him with Peter Pan Syndrome, the fear of growing up.
Central Idea: Holden’s problems are a result of his unwillingness to accept change and his lack of desire to grow up.
Thesis statement: Holden's unwillingness to accept change and to grow up are represented by the little things throughout the book such as, the ducks in the pond, the museum of history, the carousel, and the song, Comin' Thro the Rye.
Central Idea:
Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden experiences different scenarios where his sexual confusion and frustration are shown.
Thesis:
Holden’s sexual frustration and confusion is exemplified through Stradlater’s date with Jane, Sally Hayes, and Sunny.
Central Idea: Throughout the book, Holden goes through the thoughts of catching young children before they fall, but he fails to realize that he is the one that needs catching.
Thesis Statement: Holden wants to catch children before they fall, but he doesn’t realize he needs to be saved as some characters mention: Phoebe and Holden talking in her bedroom; talking to Allie on the sidewalk; and the experience with Mr. Antollini.
Central idea: In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden cared little for the rich and powerful.
Thesis Statement: Holden fails in schools because he can not get himself to listen and follow orders of people he has no respect for, he would have fail out.
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