Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Do Now:

1. Take out your copies of The Catcher in the Rye.

2. Open to chapter 10. 

3. Speculate as to why Holden feel's depressed when he is leaving the lavendar bar.  Given our unreliable narrator, what do you make of the reason(s) he gives?

Today we will: (SWBAT)

• Review the definition of allusions.
• Identify key allusions in The Catcher in the Rye.
• Determine the impact of Salinger's allusions.
• Extend our understanding of Salinger's direct and indirect characterization through the efectively embedded allusions.

                                                  

The Catcher in the Rye:

Allusions & Cultural References

Allusion:

An allusion is a figure of speech that lends any work of art more meaning and depth. In simple terms, a literary allusion uses the theme of reference, where it refers to something outside the present work of art, in order to better understand the work of art in question. In the following sections, we will get into a more detailed understanding of what is a literary allusion and its varied facets.

Definition and Details

Literary allusions will draw references to, and thereby a parallel with something that falls outside the scope of the present work of art. The reference can be made to a person or character, a place, an event, a work of art (film, book) or to a myth. This act of drawing an allusion between the present work and some other form of work can be achieved with a direct reference or through symbolism.

Why are literary allusions important? Literary allusions provide a reader with more knowledge, as well as broaden his scope of understanding. With the reference made, the reader is able to draw a parallel outside the work of art and understand the concept that is being discussed in more clarity. Along with that, it also stimulates the mind and provides added information, making it a richer and more rewarding experience.

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s not accidental. Below is a list of literary and cultural references. Many contain live links; those that don't can be easily "Googled."  Regardless of whether or not there is a link, the first page is simply a starting point; successful completion of this project will require researching more than one site.

Tonight:  spend some time looking through all of the allusions indicated below.  Skim through the book to locate "where" and "how" Salinger embedded the allusion/reference.

Literature

• Beowulf (chapter 2, page10 & chapter15, page111)
• "Lord Randal" (chapter 2, page10 & chapter 15, page 111)
• Isak Dinesen, Out of Africa (chapter 3, page 18-19)
• Ring Lardner (chapter 3, page 18 & chapter 18, page 141)
• Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native (chapter 3, page 18 & chapter15, page111)
• Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage (chapter 3, page 18)
• William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (chapter15, page111)
• Robert Burns, "Comin Thro' the Rye" (chapter 16, page 115)   -Ms. O'Donnell
• William Shakespeare, Hamlet (chapter 16, page 117)
• Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist (chapter18, page 138)
• Rupert Brooke (chapter18, page 140)
• Emily Dickinson (chapter 18, page 140)
• Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms (chapter 18, page 141)
• F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (chapter 18, page 141)

Historical Figures

• Benedict Arnold (chapter 21, page 162 & chapter 25, page 208)
• Wilhelm Stekel (chapter 24, page 188)

Pop Culture

• The Atlantic Monthly (chapter 2, page7 & 12)
• Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (chapter 4, page 27)
• Song of India (chapter 4, page 27)
• The Ziegfeld Follies (chapter 4, page 29)
• Cary Grant (chapter 5, page 37)
• The Baker's Wife  (chapter 10, page 67)
• Raimu (chapter 10, page 67)
• The 39 Steps (chapter 10, page 67)
• Robert Donat (chapter 10, page 67-68)
• Peter Lorre (chapter 10, page 71-72)
• Gary Cooper (chapter 10, page 74)
• The Lunts (Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne) (chapter 17, page 125-127)
• Sir Laurence Olivier (chapter 16, page 117)
• The Saturday Evening Post (chapter 17, pages 124-125)