My Thoughts On The Interpretation Of Poetry

After studying Perrine's "The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry", I was left with parts of the article that I disagreed with, as well as parts that I agreed with. I disagree with the idea that poetry only has one meaning that is correct. I agree with Perrine's idea that when the poetry was written that the author had a particular idea in mind. But, I do not think that it is the only correct interpretation. I believe that someone's interpretation of a poem could be affected by their life. Everyone has different events in their lives that could spark an idea for them when interpreting  the poem, which leads to a different analysis. I also believe that everyone is entitled to their own personal opinions. I don't think that a teacher can state whether a persons opinion is right or wrong! The only way, in my opinion, that an interpretation could be wrong would be if, as Perrine stated, it contradicted itself. 

Reading the Perrine article actually further  proved my thoughts before reading it. In reading the different interpretations discussed in the article, I discovered that multiple interpretations are possible. As long as the reader finds a way to support his opinion in a non-contradictory way, it is correct. Although all of the interpretations were different, they were all correct in my opinion. I also learned how easy it is in some ways to interpret poetry. Many of the things discussed in the different interpretations were very simple and to the point. For example, Perrine talks about the bright and twinkling in the poem immediately referencing stars. Sometimes when reading poetry we look too deep and miss what is right in front of us! 

A Pictures Worth A Thousand Words

I figured it was only fitting to take my summer reading picture where I spent most of my summer: Christmas Lake in Santa Claus, Indiana across the street from Holiday World! 

Final Thoughts

I greatly enjoyed reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I found myself not wanting to put the novel down once I began reading it. I found that you never knew what was going to happen next in the novel. It was also a very relatable novel to what point we are at in our lives. The Catcher in the Rye was a coming of age novel and its perfect for us to be reading right now. The fact that Holden is fighting to stay in his childhood even though he is quickly becoming an adult. At this point in our lives, we are breaking away from our childhood. We are "starting up the steps" (Salinger, 268) to a new part into our lives. We are making decisions now that are going to influence the rest of our lives. For example, we are figuring out where to go to college and what we are going to do for the rest of our lives. Just as Holden must embrace his life as an adult, so must we.

Contradictions

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden contradicts himself quite frequently. Throughout the course of the novel, Holden reveals his very strong feelings as to things in everyday life. Some of these things include movies, church, and many others. He will talk about how he hates these things in his life and how he doesn't understand them, but the next minute he shows concern for them. For example, at the beginning of the novel he talks about how he hates movies. Holden states, "If its one thing I hate, it's the movies," (Salinger, 4). But then later on in the novel, he goes an attends a movie with Ackley. Not only does he contradict himself concerning movies he also does this with the church. He talks about how he hates church because Catholics are "always trying to figure out if your catholic" (Salinger, 112). But later in the novel, he gives $10 to two nuns just as a donation. I think that Holden contradicts himself so much because he is never happy. His deep depression causes him to not know what he wants in his life, so he is constantly contradicting himself.

Phonies

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden makes his stance clear on adults.  Holden believes that all adults in this world are phonies. Part of the reason that Holden refuses to grow up is because he does not want to socialize with "those" people. He also does not want to turn into that type of person. He does not want to turn into his brother D.B. who changed for people when he grew up. Holden talked about how D.B.changed from a book writer to a prostitute. Holden stated, "It [D.B.'s book] was about this little kid who wouldn't let anyone look at his goldfish because he'd brought it with his own money. It killed me. Now he's out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute" (Salinger, 4). Later in the novel, Holden also learns that their are even more phonies in this world than the one's that appeal to his eye. Since he was too scared to go home, Holden decided to book a hotel room. While he was there, he happened to look out the window and see a man that "took out all these women's clothes, and put them on" (Salinger, 80). Holden learns that even when people seem normal from their appearance they still can be phonies in disguise, leading him to trust no one.

Living with Depression

In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the main character Holden battles a deep depression. By reading this novel, one gets a look inside of the life of a teenage battling deep depression. Throughout the course of the novel, Holden continues to surround himself with people. The quote "How can I be surrounded by a sea of people and yet still feel so alone?" really applies to the life of Holden Caulfield. Even though he surrounded himself with people, he was felt depressed and alone. I would label Holden as a pessimist. Holden always found a way to find a bad in every situation. For example, while eating breakfast with two nuns Holden thought, "All the two of them were eating for breakfast was toast and coffee. That depressed me" (Salinger, 143). The fact that he was a pessimist greatly contributed to his depression. Even a simple event, such as a small breakfast, spiked his depression. His depression got so bad that he spoke of taking his life on multiple occasions. Living with depression is a battle that Holden will fight for the rest of his life, but lucky for him he has people in his life like Phoebe to help him through it.

Mr. Antolini

In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden contacts an old teacher during his time of need, Mr. Antolini. Due to the fact that he was desperate for shelter, Holden contacts Mr. Antolini late in the night. Mr. Antolini cared deeply for Holden since he allowed him into his house in the middle of the night. He also "came up to [Holden's] house for dinner quite frequently to find out how [Holden] was getting along' (Salinger, 180). Since Holden came to him in the middle of the night, Mr. Antolini suspected that their must have been a problem. Mr. Antolini prepared his usual speech and even though Holden wanted just to sleep when he got to Mr. Antolini's house, he continued with his speech anyways. If Holden had been awake for Mr. Antolini's speech, it could have really changed his attitude towards life. Mr. Antolini reminds me of the people in my everyday life. Everyone has those people in their lives that are always their for them. I can only hope that everyone has a "Mr. Antolinil" in their lives and appreciate him/her.

The Red Hunting Hat

The red hunting hat made appearances throughout The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. At the beginning of the novel, we first learn about the Red Hunting Hat that Holden bought in New York. At the beginning it did not really seem relevant to the novel and to Holden as a person, but as you read on you begin to understand. The first point where I began to see the red hunting hat's importance was when he picked it up from the hat-check girl.  I learned that the hat really became a part of him. After Holden picked up his hat, he stated, "She [the hat-check girl] was very nice though. I showed her my goddam red hunting hat and she liked it. She made me put it on before I went out, because my hair was still pretty wet" (Salinger, 153). At this point in the novel, I realized what the red hunting hat symbolized: individuality. When the hat-check girl made him put it on before he left, she was really saying to be yourself when you leave here and not the person that other people want you to be. Since no other person in the novel owned a red hunting hat, it was a symbol of who Holden was. Even though it may have looked weird and ridiculous he was proud to wear it because it was who he was. He learned that he maybe different but he should always be himself.

Holden

Holden Caulfield was the major character in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden was an antagonist and narrator throughout the course of the novel. He was a sixteen year old who was stuck in his childhood. At the beginning of the novel, we were introduced the Holden as a junior in high school that had just been kicked of Pencey Prep.  My first impression from Holden after reading a few pages of the novel was that he was sort of a "loner". I got the idea from the quote that stated "I was way the hell up on top of Thompsen Hill, right next to this crazy cannon that was in the revolutionary war and all" (Salinger, 5). I began to wonder why he was not socializing with other students during the game. As I read on, I quickly learned that Holden had issues socializing with people because he believed that almost everyone around him was a phony. As we read on in the novel though, we were able to see him grow as a person. Even though throughout the course of the novel, Holden often fought with his depression and thoughts of suicide, he became more sociable. With the help from people like Phoebe, Holden was able to realize that people are always going to be there for him and that he is never alone. He was also able to see that not everyone in this world is the phony person that he thought. We also saw him transform from a kid stuck in his childhood to someone who realizes that he must embrace his adulthood and the adventures that lie ahead of him. Throughout the course of the novel, it was really nice, as a reader, to see Holden break the mold of society and become a sociable and unique individual.

Home

There were many settings throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Because of the way that Holden traveled throughout the novel, the settings varied from city to city, hotel to hotel. One setting in particular though stuck out to me and that was home. Before Holden arrived at his home, he always felt depressed and alone. He never had the sense that someone was always there for him, or that he was never alone until he went home. No matter how far the journey, Holden knew that home for him was the setting for happiness. Holden stated, "I walked all the way. It wasn't too far, and I wasn't tired...  The best break I had in years, when I got home..." (Salinger, 156-157). He knew that when he arrived at home that Phoebe would be there waiting for him like she always had been. The idea of that gave him a sense of comfort. Even though it was a change from what life had been like away from home he liked it. He stated, "I felt swell for a change... I just felt good for a change" (Salinger, 159). People say that "Home is where the heart is" and for Holden's sake it really was home. He loved being surrounded by those that he loved and those that loved him. Home gave him a sense of individuality and security, which will help him in becoming the man that he secretly has always wanted to become.

Dealing with Death

Throughout The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the idea of death is very prevalent. Their are many deaths that occur or that are talked about throughout the course of the novel. But, there is one death in particular that has a lasting impact throughout the novel. The death of Holden's brother Allie is talked about greatly. Dealing with his death was a major part of the novel. Many people deal with death in different ways. Some people like to get rid of things that remind them of those who have passed in order to grief, others hold onto the things that remind us of them. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden hold on to what reminds him of his brother. He keeps Allie's mitt. Not only is the mitt important to him because it was physically his brother's but it also had poems on it that allowed him to feel his presence when he was reading them. At one point in the novel, Phoebe and Holden get into a disagreement over their brother Allie. Holden begins talking about how even though Allie is gone that he still loves him. He says "Just because somebody's dead, you don't just stop liking them, for God's sake--especially if they were about a thousand times nicer than the people you know that're alive and all" (Salinger, 171). I think that Salinger was trying to make a point to society when he wrote this. I think that we should remember the good in those who have passed and how they have positively impacted us. Gone but not forgotten is the way that we should think about death in our society today, just as Holden did in The Catcher in the Rye. 

Phoebe

In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, there are many minor characters that influence the novel. One character in particular that influenced the novel was Holden's sister Phoebe. Often times throughout the course of the novel, Holden thought back to Phoebe. He often mentioned wanted to talk to Phoebe about things that were going on in his life. One night when he was drunk and wanted to talk, Holden states, "I couldn't get that off my mind... I figured I'd better sneak home and see her" (Salinger, 156). Holden's relationship with Phoebe is not only a brother and sister relationship, but its also a best friend relationship. Holden feels that Phoebe has and will always be there for him. Phoebe became a major influence on Holden at one particular point in the novel. Instead of sympathizing with Holden's reluctance to grow up, she becomes angry at him. Even though she is six year younger than him, she realizes the importance of growing up. By getting angry with Holden instead of agreeing with him, she helps Holden face the realization that at one point or another in his life he is going to have to grow up and embrace his adulthood. 

Old

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the character of Holden uses the world "Old" quite frequently. I noticed that throughout the course of the novel, Holden refers to multiple people as Old. He does not do this is a negative way, as of in age, but he does it as a title for them. For example, Holden refers to someone as old two sentences in a row. He states, "Old Brossard was a bridge fiend... Old Ackley parked himself in my room" (Salinger, 48). Holden not only refers to people older than him as "Old", but he also does it to people that are the same age as him. Two examples of this would be Brossard and Ackley. Both of those characters are nearly or the exact same age as him. I think that Holden does this as a way of holding onto his childhood. I believe he likes to call others old because it allows him to feel young. Holden spends a lot of the novel grasping on to his childhood. By referring to people as old in our lives, we are able to feel rejuvenated, just as Holden.

The Museum of Natural History

J.D. Salinger used symbolism throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye. One particular use of symbolism stuck out to me: the Museum of Natural History. In the novel, the Museum of Natural History symbolized the Holden holding on to his childhood. Holden fears the idea of becoming an adult and losing the idea of being a child. Holden states, "Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't be that, exactly. You'd just be different, that's all" (Salinger, 121). Holden begins to imagine what life would be like if everything stayed the same. He imagined staying a child for the rest of his life and living in a predictable world where he knew what was going to happen all the time. He begins to show how he is very reluctant to change. He likes to know what is going on in his life and he likes to keep a consistent routine. But at this point, he shows that  he knows inside that things are going to change. He knows that their will be points in his life that are unpredictable and non-consistent. Holden pictures the museum as a fantasy world. Even though he never goes inside the museum, he was able to so vividly describe it. It shows that he wants to live in a consistent, childhood fantasy world more than anything else.

Money, Money, Money, MONEY

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden speaks about money. He talks about how money is not a source of happiness, but often times a source of depression and anxiety. Holden states, "money...always ends up making you blue as hell" (Salinger,113). Holden clearly states throughout the course of the novel that he does not care if people have money or not. He also states that he does not like people to know whether he is rich or poor. He doesn't want people to like him for his money, but he wants people to like him for his personality. Holden has learned throughout his life that  people who spend all of their time thinking about their money and trying to impress people with it often end up alone or surrounds by those who do not like them for who they are, rather for how much money they have. Holden has also learned not to judge people for how much money they have. For example, in the novel Holden's roommate becomes self-conscious and concerned about what Holden will think about him because he does not have an expensive suitcase. Rather than judging his roommate, Holden basis his view on his roommate by the way he acts, not because of the quality of his luggage. Just as in The Catcher in the Rye, many people in our society today are too concerned with money and the amount of money that they have. I believe that Salinger was trying to set an example for society when he wrote this novel. I believe that he wants everyone to think of money in the way that Holden does and to care about people based on their personalities, not by the amount of money that they have. I believe that if everyone did had the same views as Holden the world would be a much better place to live in. 

The Story Behind the Title

At this point in the novel, I believe I am beginning to get a glimpse in the meaning of the title The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The first point in the novel that we get a glimpse into the title is when Holden states,  "If a body catch a body coming through the rye" (Salinger, 115). I'm sure that as I continue to read the novel that more of the title will be explained. At this point, I believe that the part of the quote that states "a body catch a body" could symbolize Holden and Allie. I also believe that when it talks about coming through the rye it could symbolize their childhood together. They experienced many adventures during their childhood I would imagine. I am also starting to believe that Allie is the catcher. Considering the fact that he was a catcher for baseball and that he owned the catchers mitt, it can lead us to believe that he is the catcher. But now that he is gone, Holden now owns the catchers mitt. Since Holden owns the mitt now, is the new catcher? After reading this part of the novel, I can not wait to continue the novel and further see what the real meaning is behind the title The Catcher in the Rye. 

Imagery

In the novel The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger, the literary device of imagery is prevalent. From the beginning of the novel to the end, imagery was used. The first place that I saw imagery used was when Holden was standing on top of  the hill. "Anyway, it was December and all and at was cold as witch's teat, especially on top of that stupid hill. I only had on my reversible and no gloves or anything" (Salinger, 7).  The use of imagery was used again when Holden said, "It was so quiet and lonesome out, even though it was Saturday night. I didn't see hardly anyone on the street. Now and then you just saw a man and a girl crossing a street with their arms around each other" (Salinger, 106). Throughout the rest of the novel, Salinger used imagery to allow the reader to really see his vision. By using vivid descriptions through the use of imagery, the reader can really visualize the scene. With the use of imagery, the reader is able to see the world through the eyes of  Holden.