Catcher in the Rye, chapters 2 + 3

C. I'm confused about Holden's relationship with things. He talks about really hating things but then kind of actually liking things. He says that his roomate Stradlater was very cocky and didnt like him that much and that he was very generous and liked him. He is very confusing when he talks about people. Even with Old Spencer he tells us that he likes him and then later he doesnt like him.

E. I like how easy this book is to read for me. I can connect to it very easily because We are both in highschool and going through the same thing. When you do bad on the oe test and you get that lecture from your parents that you need to start caring about your future, like Old Spencer was giving him.

I. I agree with richteri16's E. It did reveal things about him while he was speaking to Old Spencer it gives us a little more background on his past. I want to find out why he is actually telling us this story or is he just telling it for his pleasure and just to "tell it"

C. Holden is a true anti-hero. No doubt about it, bad words and all, the complete package. Why doesn’t he care about his academics? He does to a really good school that could probably land him somewhere awesome, and he’s just taking it as a game! He should’ve taken things more seriously. Also, why is it that he would watch the “big game” but didn’t bother to go inside the stadium, whether or not he was kicked out. He could’ve said goodbye to all his pals or stuff like that. It’s weird seeing a “hero” fail out of school.
I. Ian’s E response goes with my C response. Holden just doesn’t really care about anything, but there HAS to be a reason for that… Something must’ve happened in school or something, because why would he try so hard to get into a great school just to fail out in the end? It makes no sense to me, at least go to a rundown school where you don’t get kicked out when you fail.
B. Holden’s personality is polar opposite to Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer seems to be like Holden’s own father in chapter two in a strange way. They must have been really close in school back in the day. It makes me sad how old Mr. Spencer is, and how you can visualize how old he could be, and how much time he possibly has left alive. What would Holden do once Mr. Spencer was gone? Would he finally change his ways?

B. Similar to what Michael wrote, I also felt a feeling of sadness and, somewhat, depression. The setting Holden describes seems so pathetic. When he describes old Spencer and his ratty robe, I couldn't help but have this feeling of sympathy for Spencer. I felt bad that he had on such a worn out, old robe. I felt like he deserved better than that and that the conditions he was living in were unsuitable for a human being to be in. "...and there were pills and medicine all over the place, and everything smelled like Vicks Nose Drops." The sight of pills just makes me think about all of the medication my grandfather had to take when he was ill and I felt so bad for him because it was such an annoying routine, day in and day out, to have remember to take those pills. I could see the irritation when he went to take his pills and when he forgot to do so.

C. Holden, to me, is a troubled person and a "hate the world" kind of person. Everything seems to bother him. The smallest of problems could arise and Holden would act like it was worse than it actually was. He doesn't really care what people think of him or what their opinions are, so, this is why I believe he is an anti-hero. His narrow-mindedness impedes him from interacting with other people in a normal manner. He always has a sarcastic, indifferent attitude and this prevents him from being open-minded and more friendly.

G. If I were Holden, I would take old Spencer's advice to heart and deeply review my life as it is now. I think Holden should stop and look back at what he has caused or what he has been a part of and figure out how he can avoid those situations. Also, if I were Holden, I would take more precautions when it comes to dealing with certain things. He is so straight forward about things, which can be good in some ways, but his straight-forwardness is accompanied with thoughtless speech. Holden doesn't seem to think before he speaks and he seems like a jerk sometimes because of it.

C. I did not understand why Holden would not want to talk to old Spencer. When Holden first gets to the house Mrs. Spencer welcomes him and then he goes to talk to old Spencer. He starts to talk to old Spencer but he does not really listen to him. An example of this was when Spencer agreed that life was like a game and that people needed to play by the rules. Holden agreed with him but in his mind he did not. He is lying to old Spencer’s face even though Spencer is maybe one of the only people who actually care about him right now. Spencer reads Holden’s essay and Holden thinks that he is being mean but I think that Spencer was just really disappointed in Holden. Even when Holden is leaving Spencer keeps trying to offer him advice and keep him their but Holden continues to brush him off.
E. Holden is a really interesting character because of how he views himself. He starts off chapter three talking about how he is the best liar ever. He is almost bragging about being able to lie to old Spencer’s face and get away with it. This really just shows how much of an anti-hero he is. He just does not seem to care about anything or anybody else beside himself.
I. I agree with Mike Loseto’s G response. Spencer gives Holden some good advice for his life but Holden just brushes him off. If Holden would just listen to Spencer maybe he could change his life for the better and maybe then he would get a better outlook on life. He is too blunt at some points and should put more consideration into the things that he does.

E. Upon reading Old Spencer and Holden's conversation, it seems as Holden doesn't really care about his future. He failed almost all of his classes and it seems like he is acting like nothings even really going on. It also seems as Old Spencer cares a lot about Holden and his future. He was lecturing Holden about how he needed to turn his life around and care more about his academics.
I.I agree with richter's responser about Ackley.He seems like overall a very weird guy and someone that people can't stand to be with.
C. In response to Ericsons's post about how Holden is a TRUE ANTI HERO....he definately does have qualities that make him a anti hero but it also seems that he has some hero qualities in him too. He said that he felt bad for Ackley and wanted to help him out.I also feel like there has to be a reason that Holden is always acting this way...maybe it has something to do with his parents because..whre are they?

C. The anti-hero in this book is very clear. Holden demonstrates his anit-hero traits through his words and thoughts on every situation. Although it seems like he has feelings, he actually really doesn't. He doesnt have any sympathy for others and he doesnt think ahead for himself either. He is also a pessimist. There is nothing positive for him. When he went to Old Spencer's house. He even took Spencer's advice very badly. There wasn't anything good that came from his lecture speech about trying to succeed in life.

A. I really enjoy this book due to the way of writing. Salinger wrote the book so that we can understand, fully, what Holden is thinking and why he is thinking this. Or what he is doing and why he is doing something. This makes the book entertaining. Also due to the curse words and negative tone of speech that Holden uses, the writing adds dark humor into the literature from the readers point of view.

B. Ackley is holden's roommate in this boarding school Pencey Prep. I think that although holden sees Ackley as very annoying and bothersome, he needs him in his life. I feel that because Holden does not have as much friends, Ackley is the guy that has always stuck with him, in other words, a friend.