I agree that Rocket Man “represents Holden's depression and insanity through its lyrics.” However, I also believe that it also parallels Holden’s view of life as the “terrific bore … [he] hates” (130). For example, the song starts describing the job of an astronaut as an everyday job. In the song, “[the astronaut’s wife] packed [his] bags last night, pre-flight. Zero hour: 9 a.m. And [he's] gonna be high as a kite by then.” In a way, this is a similar description to a man flying on a typical, boring business trip. Due to his lack of interest, the astronaut, like Holden, has lost the thrill of living.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
The song No Surprises by Radiohead portrays the intense boredom and apathy that Holden feels towards the world in chapters 17 and 18. In these chapters Holden is living a life of "no alarms and no surprises" and attending a school that he hates, "a job that slowly kills [him]" because of the "phony" students around him and the lack of relevance he feels about his classes. Holden asks his date Sally to join him in the forest, stating that he would "take a quiet life" away from society and the phoniness of large cities like New York. Holden also brings up fairly often that he would like to commit suicide, or in the song, take "A handshake of carbon monoxide"
Lyrics:
A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired and unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent
This is my final fit, my final bellyache with
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please
Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises please let me out of here
The song No Surprises expresses Holden's loneliness and apathy towards life and the people around him as he progresses down a darkening path of depression and detachment from the real world. The highlighted lyrics, specifically
"I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent"
show Holden's passionate desire to get away from all of the phoniness and hustle and bustle of the city to a quiet secluded home in the woods, or later in Colorado. These few lines of the song also depict Holden's dream of being "the Catcher in the Rye" "I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be."(173) Holden describes a simple life of being a protective figure and keeping Innocence in tact. The song No Surprises and this famous Holden Caulfield quote seem to be practically synonymous. This song is expresses Holden's isolation from the phyhsical world around him and his desire for being nothing but "the catcher in the rye." The song shows a sense of apathy and indifference that are extremely reminiscent of Holden's own views, as well as the feeling of being "so damn depressed and lonesome"(153)
Loneliness
The song “I’m just a Kid,” by Simple Plan conveys the difficulty of being a kid through the concept of loneliness which is also a repeated issue in Holden’s life. In the song, the first three lines are “I woke up it was seven, I waited till eleven, just to figure out that no one would call.” This is where loneliness is first represented. It says that he waited for four hours, but no one wanted to spend time with him. This is a similar scenario to Holden’s situation. Holden is constantly searching for companionship as well. On page 69, when Holden visits the Lavender Room, he is feeling very lonely and so he starts to look around for someone he can spend time with and maybe even start a conversation with even though they are a complete stranger to him. In the songs chorus, it also mentions, “Nobody cares cause I’m alone in the world.” This statement can almost be placed anywhere in the book because Holden is nearly always experiencing the pain of having no one that cares about him which causes most of his loneliness. This is another reason to why he often has the urge to call Jane. Jane is very comforting to Holden because she gives Holden someone to talk to, although Holden is constantly held back and never calls Jane so she continues to just be a memory to him. Holden and the song both are very similar in the way that they both are struggling with loneliness.
Analysis-Talk by Coldplay
The song “Talk” by Coldplay, represents Holden’s fear of his place in the future and also his trouble in finding someone to speak to. Holden is a curious boy, and when it comes to his own fate he is scared. Holden constantly brings up this subject, showing that he is nervous and scared for his future and what it will bring him. “You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South that little lake By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Do you happen to know by any chance?” (60) Holden is curious as to what fate lies in the hands of these ducks and also what is in store for Holden himself. In the song “Talk” the man is telling his brother “I can’t get through…I’m so scared about the future I don’t know what to do.” This man is clearly like Holden in that they are unsure of their place in life and they both look up to their brothers as role models. The two men cannot seem to “get through” to anyone and they are both clearly suffering from this. Holden is worried about the future, but he cannot share any of these feelings because not many people actually listen to him. Holden is in a constant state of depression, but when trying to find a way he finds himself stuck because the people he wants to talk to don’t pay much attention to him. For example, when Holden asks a Taxi driver what happens to the ducks when the lake is frozen over in central park, the man responds, “How the hell should I know?” Holden is rejected while indirectly asking about what will happen in the future. This relates to one of the lines in the song, ”You’ll tell everyone who will listen but you will feel ignored.” This is exactly how Holden feels throughout the story and he only finds a few professors and his sister helpful. Holden’s actions seem to be nonchalant, but his apparent curiosity for his well beings shows that he has a more sensitive side when it comes to things that really affect him.
Catcher Song: "Chasing Cars"
Song: I believe that the song, "Chasing Cars," by Snow Patrol would be placed on page 132, when Holden asks Sally to run away with him. This is an appropriate place for this song because it conveys Holden's feelings and thoughts during that moment with Sally Hayes. The line in the song, "If I just lay here would you lay with me and just forget the world?", reflects Holden's fear of loneliness when he wants turns his back upon the world. Also, when Holden explains to Sally his plan of living in cabins in the rural areas, it connects to the line from the song: "Let's waste time chasing cars around our heads," which illustrates the fantasies that Holden continuously imagines.
When I'm Gone
The song When I'm Gone by 3 Doors Down would fit really well right on page 81, at the very beginning of chapter 12 when Holden is looking out the taxi window and continues further into depression. I could see it as a movie shot (ironically) - Holden stares out the window at all the stuff that's happening, and sometimes you see a close up of his face, and the song is just playing softly in the backround. Here are the lyrics:
There's another world inside of me that you may never see
There's secrets in this life that I can't hide
Somewhere in this darkness there's a light that I can't find
Maybe it's too far away, maybe I'm just blind
Maybe I'm just blind
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone
Everything I am, and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be
I'll never let you down, even if I could
I'd give up everything, if only for your good
So hold me when I'm here, right me when i'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, you wont always be there
So love me when I'm gone
When I'm gone
When your education xray cannot see under my skin
I won't tell you a damn thing that I could not tell my friends
And roaming through this darkness I'm alive but I'm alone
Part of me is fighting this, but part of me is gone
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone
Everything I am, and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be
I'll never let you down, even if I could
I'd give up everything, if only for your good
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there
So love me when I'm gone.
Maybe I'm just blind.
(repeat chorus part again)
Love me when I'm gone
whoa
love me when I'm gone, when I'm gone
when I'm gone, when I'm gone.
There's another world inside of me that you may never see
There's secrets in this life that I can't hide
Somewhere in this darkness there's a light that I can't find
Maybe it's too far away, maybe I'm just blind
Maybe I'm just blind
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone
Everything I am, and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be
I'll never let you down, even if I could
I'd give up everything, if only for your good
So hold me when I'm here, right me when i'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, you wont always be there
So love me when I'm gone
When I'm gone
When your education xray cannot see under my skin
I won't tell you a damn thing that I could not tell my friends
And roaming through this darkness I'm alive but I'm alone
Part of me is fighting this, but part of me is gone
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, and love me when I'm gone
Everything I am, and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be
I'll never let you down, even if I could
I'd give up everything, if only for your good
So hold me when I'm here, right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there
So love me when I'm gone.
Maybe I'm just blind.
(repeat chorus part again)
Love me when I'm gone
whoa
love me when I'm gone, when I'm gone
when I'm gone, when I'm gone.
The song "When I'm gone" by 3 doors down accurately conveys Holden through the sense that both of them are struggling with the need to have a companion. Throughout the entire novel, Holden is constantly feeling "so damn depressed and lonesome" (153) - all by himself in New York City. He really wants somebody to be his friend, and he seeks companionship in the form of women, since all the guys he knows are "phonies." We know he's lonely because, aside from him planly stating it, he always "[gets] Jane Gallagher on the brain again. [He gets] her on, and [he can't] get her off" (76). This lonesomeness translates clearly into the lyrics of the song - in fact, the chorus is all about the singer longing for someone to hold him, love him, and help him do things right. Holden also feels this way - he knows that something is wrong, and can't help feeling that if he had somebody to lean on, then they could help him on the road to recovery. Further, the singer says "I'd give up everything, if only for your good". I think all of us believe that in Holden's desperation, he'd give almost anything in order to have a companion, so he doesnt have to keep "roaming through this darkness," "alive but alone". On a final note, the whole minor tone and soft, slow, rhythm of this piece gives listeners that lagging, depressed feeling. A feeling of empathy - you feel like you can relate to the singer, and it makes you feel slightly meloncholy.
Clarissa
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Placement of How to Save a Life
Placement
This song would fit at the end of chapter 24 page 191-193 when Mr. Antolini watches Holden sleep and after Holden wakes up. The song's message describes the struggle to connect and save a boy who has lost his way similar to how Mr. Antolini tries to steer Holden away from depression and back to a happy life. Both Holden and the boy described in the song are troubled juveniles who have faced hardships, and both have someone trying to reach out to them and help them. Mr. Antolini would have this song playing in his head because he tries to help Holden, like the singer reaching out to the boy.
Paragraph
The song How to Save a Life would fit at the end of page 191 when Mr. Antolini looks over Holden because the message of the song reflects Mr. Antolini's protective nature towards Holden as both attempt to protect and save a troubled and depressed boy. Mr. Antolini tries to reach out to Holden, "I have a feeling that you're riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall. But I don't honestly know what kind... are you listening to me? (186). Mr. Antolini really tries to protect Holden by warning him about his behavior. Even then, he senses that Holden doesn't really care, and whatever he says Holden will just ignore. This desperation trying to connect with Holden can be heard in the lyrics of the song, "Lay down a list of what is wrong, The things you've told him all along, And pray to God he hears you" (The Fray). The lyrics portray the attempt to connect to this person, telling him the same things over and over, and hoping that your message gets through to him. This hope to help this troubled boy echos Mr. Antolini's attempt aid Holden. Mr. Antolini's desperate effort to connect to Holden can be heard through the lyrics of The Fray's song How to Save a Life.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VKja7XmFcM
This song would fit at the end of chapter 24 page 191-193 when Mr. Antolini watches Holden sleep and after Holden wakes up. The song's message describes the struggle to connect and save a boy who has lost his way similar to how Mr. Antolini tries to steer Holden away from depression and back to a happy life. Both Holden and the boy described in the song are troubled juveniles who have faced hardships, and both have someone trying to reach out to them and help them. Mr. Antolini would have this song playing in his head because he tries to help Holden, like the singer reaching out to the boy.
Paragraph
The song How to Save a Life would fit at the end of page 191 when Mr. Antolini looks over Holden because the message of the song reflects Mr. Antolini's protective nature towards Holden as both attempt to protect and save a troubled and depressed boy. Mr. Antolini tries to reach out to Holden, "I have a feeling that you're riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall. But I don't honestly know what kind... are you listening to me? (186). Mr. Antolini really tries to protect Holden by warning him about his behavior. Even then, he senses that Holden doesn't really care, and whatever he says Holden will just ignore. This desperation trying to connect with Holden can be heard in the lyrics of the song, "Lay down a list of what is wrong, The things you've told him all along, And pray to God he hears you" (The Fray). The lyrics portray the attempt to connect to this person, telling him the same things over and over, and hoping that your message gets through to him. This hope to help this troubled boy echos Mr. Antolini's attempt aid Holden. Mr. Antolini's desperate effort to connect to Holden can be heard through the lyrics of The Fray's song How to Save a Life.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VKja7XmFcM
I Don't Want To Be By Gavin Degraw
Thesis: Gavin Degraw's song, I Don't Want to Be, emphasizes Holden's belief that he is surrounded by phonies and that people need to focus on being themselves rather than being somebody else.
This song would fit in when Stradlater starts a fight with Holden because Holden repeatedly calls him a moron. While they are battling, Holden starts to hear this song because one of his dorm neighbors, Ackley, is playing it too loud in the other room. Holden hears the lyrics, "I'm surrounding by liars everywhere I turn, I'm surrounded by imposters everywhere I turn... Am I the only one who noticed? I can't be the only one who's learned!" This part of the song supports Holden's belief that at Pencey, everyone, even his roommate, is a phony. He feels like he is the only person at school who isn't fake or an imitation. This feeling that Holden is the only real person left at school is demonstrated through this song.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Yesterday by The Beatles
The song "Yesterday" by the Beatles expresses the emotions Holden feels for Jane though its main idea of longing for the past. In A Catcher in the Rye, Holden remembers the relationship he had with Jane and how it was simple rather than serious or sexual. Holden says, "You never even worried with Jane... All you knew was, you were happy"(79). Similarly, the lyrics of the song say, "Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play." Now Holden struggles to enjoy relationships with girls, he hates their company and only thinks of their appearance. He misses the past when love was not complicated with sex or appearance; it was only about being happy. The thought of Jane dating someone else drives him crazy, and "[he doesn't] even like to talk about it"(80). When Holden first hears of Stradlater being with Jane, he soon after runs away from school alone. This is mirrored in the song with the next line, "now I need a place to hide away." After realizing the happy times he had with Jane are forever in the past, Holden becomes very depressed and wants to hide from the world. By hiding from the idea of Stradlater with Jane, he hopes to hold on to his memory of "yesterday." The song "Yesterday" reflects Holden's strong longing for the past when Jane and him were together.
No Surprises
The song No Surprises by Radiohead portrays the intense boredom and apathy that Holden feels towards the world in chapters 17 and 18. In these chapters Holden is living a life of "no alarms and no surprises" and attending a school that he hates, "a job that slowly kills [him]" because of the "phony" students around him and the lack of relevance he feels about his classes. Holden asks his date Sally to join him in the forest, stating that he would "take a quiet life" away from society and the phoniness of large cities like New York. Holden also brings up fairly often that he would like to commit suicide, or in the song, take "A handshake of carbon monoxide"
Thesis: The song No Surprises expresses Holden's loneliness and apathy towards life and the people around him as he progresses down a darkening path of depression and detachment from the real world.
Lyrics:
A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired and unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent
This is my final fit, my final bellyache with
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please
Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises please (let me out of here)
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired and unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent
This is my final fit, my final bellyache with
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please
Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises please (let me out of here)
I'm Just a Kid
The song, "I'm Just a Kid", by Simple Plan, I believe would fit the best on page 154 when Holden sits down on the park bench at night and he is all alone. I thought this scene fit well with the song because both the song and the scene have many characteristics in common. For example, in the song it says, "I'll try to think about the last time I had a good time," and that is exactly what Holden has been doing often, and especially in this scene Holden thinks about Phoebe because she is always apart Holden's cherished memories. Also, in the chorus it says, "Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is having more fun than me." During this scene, Holden has convinced himself that he has pneumonia and that he is going to die. He is feeling very lonely and wants to see his sister which is all another similarity to the song. The song also mentions, "And every night is the worst night ever," and that is exactly how Holden feels every night he goes out. He doesn't ever feel right because he needs a companion and without one he is always feeling lonely.
What's My Age Again?
Paragraph: What’s My Age Again reflects Holden through the lyrics because Holden acts with the same immaturity as the person in the song, and they because they both need to learn to act their age. Both the artist and Holden have a bad experience on a date with a girl because they choose to act in a childish manner. “I took her out it was a Friday night. I wore cologne to get the feeling right. We started making out and she took off my pants. But then I turned on the TV. And that's about the time that she walked away from me.” These lyrics from the song conveys both how Holden and the singer yearned for an entertaining night. Holden as well when he spies Sally he’s thrilled. Another example of the similarities between the musician and Holden is that they both call their “girls” at inappropriate times. In the song the woman’s mother picks up whereas in The Catcher in the Rye Sally’s grandmother picks up. Holden treats her with little respect “Wake ‘er up! Wake ‘er up, hey. Attaboy.” (150). The lyrics from the song state that he lied to the mother about her husband. In both cases the adults are treated with little respect, which reveals premature character. Holden finds himself in several situations, which he deals with in inane manner, his reactions relate to the lyrics of the song What’s My Age Again.
Where to place: The song What’s My Age Again if it was in The Catcher in the Rye would be placed on page 134. This is right after Holden left Sally when she wouldn’t agree to running away with him to the forest. This song fits perfectly here because it’s lyrics describe a person who does the wrong thing in a bad moment, and how he doesn’t know how to act his age. This is an appropriate song choice for Holden because he is stuck in the middle not knowing how to act. This song agrees with Holden’s personality because both the song’s person and Holden need to learn to grow up and that some things aren’t appropriate.
Thesis: What’s My Age Again reflects Holden through the lyrics because Holden acts with the same immaturity as the person in the song, and they because they both need to learn to act their age.
Talk by Coldplay
Thesis: The song, “Talk” by Coldplay represents Holden’s concern about the future.
This song would fit right after the scene where he is in the taxicab with the driver who will not answer his question of where the ducks go when the pond freezes. Holden is asking this question because he is curious if they have hope of another home and a future, representing also his own thoughts for what will happen next in his life. “Talk” by Coldplay would be playing on the radio as the cab driver is driving. This represents Holden’s thoughts of the future. The line from “I’m so scared about the future and I wanna talk to you” shows how worried Holden is for what is yet to come. The “you” in the song refers to brother, which can also apply to Holden because the person constantly is asking his brother, “In the future where will I be?”. In this case it would be incredibly ironic if this song played after Holden asked his question about the ducks to the cab driver. It is ironic because Holden just expressed his feelings with an analogy, and the song expresses his feelings more directly.
Tomorrow is Today
Tomorrow is Today
Billy Joel
Lyrics:
I've been livin' for the moment
But I just can't have my way
And I'm afraid to go to sleep
'Cause tomorrow is today
People tell me life is sweeter
But I don't hear what they say
Nothing comes to change my life
So tomorrow is today
I don't care to know the hour
'Cause it's passing anyway
I don't have to see tomorrow
'Cause I saw it yesterday
So I listen for an answer
But the feeling seems to stay
And what's the use of always dreaming
If tomorrow is today
Still I'm waiting for the morning
But it feels so far away
And you don't need the love I'm giving
So tomorrow is today
Oh, my. Goin' to the river
Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me
Made my bed, now I'm gonna lie in it
If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it
Too late. Too much given
I've seen a lot of life and I'm damn sick of livin' it
I keep hopin' that you will pass my way
And some day if your dreams are leavin' you
I'll still believe in you
I don't care to know the hour
'Cause it's passing anyway
I don't have to see tomorrow
'Cause I saw it yesterday
Though I'm living and I'm singing
And although my hands still play
Soon enough it will all be over
'Cause tomorrow is today
Right after Maurice leaves, Holden thinks suicidal thoughts. He doesn’t want his gory body seen by phonies, so he decides not to kill himself (104). However, before going to bed, Holden thinks about what it’s like to commit suicide. He thinks of how people, like James Castle, are able to escape the loneliness and repetitious bore of life by killing themselves. He gets even more depressed when he realizes that tomorrow will be the same as today, and the day after that, and the day after that, and so on.
Then, he falls asleep and continues to dream about death and escape. In the dream, he imagines drowning himself in the Hudson River. Then, he sees himself meeting Jesus, who is upset that so many people have let him down and agrees with Holden that they are all “phony.” This helps further convince Holden that suicide was a good idea. However, Holden is also reunited with Allie, who turns out to be upset with Holden, thinking that Holden’s suicide was a horrible idea. Allie shows Holden his mother, fixing his bed and putting his limp, wet, pale, rubbery body on the bed. It’s partly eaten by fish, both his eyes are missing and his left cheek is gone. He sees the grief that his mother endures. He regrets killing himself, but tries to distract himself so that he doesn’t get depressed, reasoning that his suicide was worth it because he has finally escaped. Even then, he wishes that he had a companion when he was alive who comforted him.
Oh, my. Goin' to the river.
Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me.
Made my bed, now I'm gonna lie in it.
If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it.
Too late. Too much given.
I've seen a lot of life and I'm damn sick of livin' it.
I keep hopin' that you will pass my way…
Thesis:
The song, Tomorrow is Today, by Billy Joel, reflects the lack of interest of Holden, from J.D. Salinger's novel, Catcher in the Rye, with the repetitious nature of life.
Analytical Paragraph:
The song, Tomorrow is Today, by Billy Joel, reflects the lack of interest of Holden, from J.D. Salinger's novel, Catcher in the Rye, with the repetitious nature of life. In the song, Billy doesn’t feel that it is necessary to focus on each moment in his monotonous life or “know the hour.” This is because it doesn’t change or improve from how it was before, which means he already “saw it yesterday.” Similarly, Holden is indifferent throughout most of the novel. In one instance, Holden is not “in the mood” (63) when he watches perverts acting inanely in ways he doesn’t “understand” (63). This is evidence that Holden finds every human experience stupid and senseless. Again, throughout the book, people like Stradlater, Ackley, D.B.’s ex-girlfriend and the Lunts remind Holden of the meaninglessness of life because all of them, in some way, are fake and idiotic. As a result, Holden becomes more and more withdrawn and bored because he sees that everything is and always will be pointless.
YouTUBE Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCiW161e_YI
Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
This song would go right at the end of ch. 24, on pg. 193. Holden would be walking down the street away from the building singing this song. This is after Mr. Antolini pats Holden on the head while he is sleeping. The song goes here because it describes life being a "bittersweet symphony," and the pain of life, which Holden is recognizing as the one adult we see him truly connect with does something that Holden thinks is perverted. Holden was let down yet again by a person's character, which makes him think about the sad pattern of life. In addition, the person singing this song questions themselves, which Holden also does after listening to Mr. Antolini's talk with him.
Thesis: The song, "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve illustrates Holden's depressed and confused state of mind through its inconsistent and reflective lyrics.
Paragraph: The song, "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve illustrates Holden's depressed and confused state of mind through its inconsistent and reflective lyrics, which shows the common uncertain and dark view towards life among teens. Holden’s feeling of loneliness and melancholy are mirrored in this song. The lyrics echo Holden’s conflicting thoughts and actions through its contradictory words. The song describes life as a “bittersweet symphony,” meaning life is a sad and sometimes satisfying pattern that continues on (repeats). This idea is parallel to Holden’s view as expressed to Sally Hayes; that life is a pattern full of people who think that they are being successful, when they are actually just being phonies. This regularity of life makes Holden “depressed as hell,” (133). Holden’s loneliness contributes to his misery. The lyrics read, “there’s nobody singing to me now,”. The lack of “singing” represents Holden’s lack of companionship, and his consequent loneliness. Holden states, “I sort of kept looking around for those two nuns I’d met at breakfast the day before,” (197). The fact that Holden would search for two women who he had met for only a couple minutes the day before who could be anywhere in New York illustrates his desire for companionship. Holden feels such lonesomeness that he seeks out random people for relationships. This song conveys Holden’s deep emotions of gloominess and isolation.
In addition, the lyrics describe an inconsistent and multi-faceted character that corresponds to Holden’s confusion. The singer reveals he is, “a million different people from one day to the next.” Holden has a diverse personality similar to this singer’s many traits. Holden states that he is a “madman,” (134) a “rude bastard,” (190) his “mind is immature,” (147) a “fool,” (132) a “pacifist” (46) who gets into fights, and the “dumb one” (67) though he is actually quite intelligent. Holden has so many divergent personalities, it is like Holden is actually many different people, just as the song describes. “Bittersweet Symphony” also reflects Holden’s shifting opinions about change, which again portrays his contradicting character. The song says, “No change, I can change, I can change…I can’t change my mold.” The singer keeps switching his view on change, saying he “can change” but then he wants “no change” and that he “can’t change [his] mold.” This idea of a “mold” is also constant with Holden’s worry that he expresses to Sally Hayes about being stuck in the phony pattern of life. He wants to break away from this “mold” but doesn’t know how. Similarly to this song, Holden contradicts himself as he states, “That’s one nice thing about carrousels, they always play the same songs.” (122) He enjoys consistency in the world around him, but continually makes large changes in his own life. For example, he quickly decides to run away, first with Sally Hayes and then on his own, but then suddenly chooses to stay with Phoebe. Holden regularly changes his mind about a person as well. While describing Sally Hayes, Holden thinks, “I didn’t even like her much, and yet all of the sudden I felt like I was in love with her,” (124). Holden persistently switches his internal view though he hates change around him just as the singer acts confused about change in “Bittersweet Symphony.” Holden’s mixture of personalities and fickle behavior exemplifies his puzzled view about where he fits in life, corresponding to the character in the song.
Holden’s depressed puzzlement towards the world around him and the character singing “Bittersweet Symphony” parallel, which demonstrates that the state of mind of most youth remains constant, as a teen from 60 years ago still matches a song from our modern day.
This song would go right at the end of ch. 24, on pg. 193. Holden would be walking down the street away from the building singing this song. This is after Mr. Antolini pats Holden on the head while he is sleeping. The song goes here because it describes life being a "bittersweet symphony," and the pain of life, which Holden is recognizing as the one adult we see him truly connect with does something that Holden thinks is perverted. Holden was let down yet again by a person's character, which makes him think about the sad pattern of life. In addition, the person singing this song questions themselves, which Holden also does after listening to Mr. Antolini's talk with him.
Thesis: The song, "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve illustrates Holden's depressed and confused state of mind through its inconsistent and reflective lyrics.
Paragraph: The song, "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve illustrates Holden's depressed and confused state of mind through its inconsistent and reflective lyrics, which shows the common uncertain and dark view towards life among teens. Holden’s feeling of loneliness and melancholy are mirrored in this song. The lyrics echo Holden’s conflicting thoughts and actions through its contradictory words. The song describes life as a “bittersweet symphony,” meaning life is a sad and sometimes satisfying pattern that continues on (repeats). This idea is parallel to Holden’s view as expressed to Sally Hayes; that life is a pattern full of people who think that they are being successful, when they are actually just being phonies. This regularity of life makes Holden “depressed as hell,” (133). Holden’s loneliness contributes to his misery. The lyrics read, “there’s nobody singing to me now,”. The lack of “singing” represents Holden’s lack of companionship, and his consequent loneliness. Holden states, “I sort of kept looking around for those two nuns I’d met at breakfast the day before,” (197). The fact that Holden would search for two women who he had met for only a couple minutes the day before who could be anywhere in New York illustrates his desire for companionship. Holden feels such lonesomeness that he seeks out random people for relationships. This song conveys Holden’s deep emotions of gloominess and isolation.
In addition, the lyrics describe an inconsistent and multi-faceted character that corresponds to Holden’s confusion. The singer reveals he is, “a million different people from one day to the next.” Holden has a diverse personality similar to this singer’s many traits. Holden states that he is a “madman,” (134) a “rude bastard,” (190) his “mind is immature,” (147) a “fool,” (132) a “pacifist” (46) who gets into fights, and the “dumb one” (67) though he is actually quite intelligent. Holden has so many divergent personalities, it is like Holden is actually many different people, just as the song describes. “Bittersweet Symphony” also reflects Holden’s shifting opinions about change, which again portrays his contradicting character. The song says, “No change, I can change, I can change…I can’t change my mold.” The singer keeps switching his view on change, saying he “can change” but then he wants “no change” and that he “can’t change [his] mold.” This idea of a “mold” is also constant with Holden’s worry that he expresses to Sally Hayes about being stuck in the phony pattern of life. He wants to break away from this “mold” but doesn’t know how. Similarly to this song, Holden contradicts himself as he states, “That’s one nice thing about carrousels, they always play the same songs.” (122) He enjoys consistency in the world around him, but continually makes large changes in his own life. For example, he quickly decides to run away, first with Sally Hayes and then on his own, but then suddenly chooses to stay with Phoebe. Holden regularly changes his mind about a person as well. While describing Sally Hayes, Holden thinks, “I didn’t even like her much, and yet all of the sudden I felt like I was in love with her,” (124). Holden persistently switches his internal view though he hates change around him just as the singer acts confused about change in “Bittersweet Symphony.” Holden’s mixture of personalities and fickle behavior exemplifies his puzzled view about where he fits in life, corresponding to the character in the song.
Holden’s depressed puzzlement towards the world around him and the character singing “Bittersweet Symphony” parallel, which demonstrates that the state of mind of most youth remains constant, as a teen from 60 years ago still matches a song from our modern day.
Catcher in the Rye
I believe that this song would be playing within Holden's head on page 38, as he types his composition about Allie's baseball glove. Parts of the song capture how valuable youth and innocence are. However, Holden, pining for his innocence and youth, feels depressed. Like the song suggests, he would "wish he had a gun" out of melancholy for his deceased brother, and the youth and nonchalance that died with him.
Thesis: The song reflects Holden's depression in the ways that he wants childhood ways back, and conveys severe depression because of not letting his past go.
Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick
The song Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick would appear in "The Catcher in the Rye" when Holden is thinking about the museum. He will begin to softly sing the chorus of the song to himself as he walks. He will sing the part,
"Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable, And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button, boys, So cradle your head in your hands."
This piece of the song will appear during this scene because Holden is thinking about how he likes the museum because nothing in the museum ever changes, and he doesn't like how he changes. The song talks about how life is always moving, and no matter what, you can't stop life from moving on.
Link to song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz3YaIJkjQ
Analytical Paragraph:
The song "Breathe (2 AM)" by Anna Nalick reveals Holden's frustration caused by his inability to prevent change. Through the lyrics “life's like an hourglass, glued to the table”, Nalick focuses on the fact that life is always moving and no one can stop change from occurring. The hourglass illustrates the constant flow of time, and it being glued to the table emphasizes that one can’t stop or turn back the time. The song reveals Holden’s frustration because Holden states that “certain things should stay the way they are” and that “you ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone” (122). Holden wishes he had the ability to put something into one of those glass cases and protect them from the inevitable change that comes with time. However, as stated in “Breathe (2 AM),” life’s hourglass can’t be stopped, so Holden’s frustration is caused by not being able to prevent change. Also, the song states that “you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,” which emphasizes that Holden is trapped on the track of life. He is dragged along the track by time, and no matter how hard he tries he can’t “jump the track” and escape the constant movement and changing of life. Holden can’t prevent change from occurring, and “Breathe (2 AM)” helps to reveal his frustration due to his inability.
Lost! by Coldplay
Lost! - Coldplay
Holden would start thinking of this song as he watches Phoebe riding around in the carrousel on page 213. Since the song represents overcoming depression and hardships, it fits wonderfully into the situation Holden is in, moving towards the right direction and getting professional help for his problems. Lost! perfectly demonstrates Holden's new life starting by looking back at the events that ruined his previous one.
The song Lost! by Coldplay represents Holden's sense of depression and how detached he is from the rest of society, through the melancholy lyrics. In the third verse, the lyrics go, "I just got lost, every river that I tried to cross, every door I ever tried was locked..." This line shows the hardships Holden had to go through throughout the past month. In addition, it also demonstrates how "lost" Holden really was, not being able to connect with anybody in society, and having no doors open for him. This is similar to when Holden is in the Wicker bar, saying, "I was crying and all...I was feeling so damn depressed and lonesome." Holden's depression is shown through his breakdown crying and he is coping with how lost he is by getting himself drunk. Through its reminiscing, somber lyrics, Lost! by Coldplay symbolizes Holden's gloominess.
The Anthem - Good Charlotte
This song would be playing in Holden's mind as he talks to Mr. Spencer before leaving Pencey on page 9. Holden is feeling annoyed when Mr. Spencer criticizes him for not putting enough effort into getting good grades at school, and Salinger conveys to his readers that Holden has previously attended three other schools. The song would play at this moment, because it relates to Holden's annoyance with society's expectations for him.
The song "The Anthem" by Good Charlotte reveals that Holden is frustrated with society's expectations for him to excel in school in order for his life to be important. When talking with Mr. Spencer before leaving school, Holden explains that Pencey Prep is "about the forth school [he's went] to" (9). Pencey, like all the previous schools Holden has attended, expects high academic standards from all students. However, Holden, who has failed four of his classes, explains that he just doesn't like school. Similarly, the narrator in the song states that "high school...felt more to me like a jail cell, a penitentiary." Holden feels that he is surrounded by phonies, and is unable to reach his potential. When considering his future, Holden explains to Sally Hayes that he would like to live in the wilderness for a while. However, this differs from the norm, and is not an accepted idea for how to live a successful life. Again, the lyrics match Holden's feelings, mocking those who tell the narrator to get a "real job." Good Charlotte's "The Anthem" is a perfect match with Holden Caulfield's opinions about life because the lyrics portray a dislike for the education system and society's stereotypical views that Holden posesses.
This song would be playing in Holden's mind as he talks to Mr. Spencer before leaving Pencey on page 9. Holden is feeling annoyed when Mr. Spencer criticizes him for not putting enough effort into getting good grades at school, and Salinger conveys to his readers that Holden has previously attended three other schools. The song would play at this moment, because it relates to Holden's annoyance with society's expectations for him.
The song "The Anthem" by Good Charlotte reveals that Holden is frustrated with society's expectations for him to excel in school in order for his life to be important. When talking with Mr. Spencer before leaving school, Holden explains that Pencey Prep is "about the forth school [he's went] to" (9). Pencey, like all the previous schools Holden has attended, expects high academic standards from all students. However, Holden, who has failed four of his classes, explains that he just doesn't like school. Similarly, the narrator in the song states that "high school...felt more to me like a jail cell, a penitentiary." Holden feels that he is surrounded by phonies, and is unable to reach his potential. When considering his future, Holden explains to Sally Hayes that he would like to live in the wilderness for a while. However, this differs from the norm, and is not an accepted idea for how to live a successful life. Again, the lyrics match Holden's feelings, mocking those who tell the narrator to get a "real job." Good Charlotte's "The Anthem" is a perfect match with Holden Caulfield's opinions about life because the lyrics portray a dislike for the education system and society's stereotypical views that Holden posesses.
ROCKET MAN-Elton John
Rocket Man- Elton John - Video
This song would be played on page 122 at the bottom of the page after Holden can't find Phoebe. The song talks about loneliness and how depressing life itself can seem when a person is lonely, and Holden is very lonely at this point in the text. He can't even find his only friend.
The song Rocket Man, by Elton John, represents Holden's depression and insanity through its lyrics about the mindset of lonely people. In the first verse of the song, Elton says, "I miss the earth so much I miss my wife, It's lonely out in space, On such a timeless flight". I think this conveys Holden's depression, but instead of missing a wife, Holden is missing all of his friends and mostly his family. Holden is always alone and he searches for friendship on a long and "timeless" journey. On page 122, Holden seems like he wants to give up on everything in his life because he's deeply depressed. He says, "When I got to the museum, all of a sudden I wouldn't have gone inside for a million bucks. It just didn't appeal to me-and here I'd walked through the whole goddam park and looked forward to it all. If Phoebe'd been there, I probably would have, but she wasn't" (122). I think this point in the book relates to the line "And I think it's gonna be a long long time" from Rocket Man because Holden is feeling like it will be forever until he finds Phoebe.
Losing Heart - Brandi Carlile
Losing Heart - Brandi Carlile
This song would come in at page 104, after Maurice and Sandy harrass Holden in his hotel room, and he feels like killing himself. Holden feels depressed, insignificant, and he appears to be losing his senses. In the song Losing Heart the author expresses a feeling of becoming less passionate about life and about the confusion that stems from that.
Thesis:
The song Losing Heart by Brandi Carlile suggests the incoming insanity and depression that Holden feels, through its gloomy lyrics and repetition of confused questions. Holden portrays his sense of depression when he narrates, "What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window" (104). This illustrates his obvious feelings of depression, and how he cannot handle his current life. Similarly, Brandi Carlile writes "I don't mind if my heart don't beat and the sun don't shine." This complements Holden's state of mind, because "my heart don't beat" implies death, and "sun don't shine" implies an apocalypse. Therefore, a nonchalance towards death and the end of world reflects Holden's emotions when he says, "I ... felt like ... committing suicide." Furthermore, Holden illustrates his confused state of mind when he says, "I was so damn mad and nervous and all" (103). This shows us the multiple and strong emotions he feels at this time, and so many emotions are bound to confuse one's mind. In the song, Brandi Carlile writes "Am I losing heart? Have I frozen it? Am I pushing too hard? Have I started to forget?" The sequence of these questions that have no easy answers implies her confusion over her actions and state of mind. Both Holden and Brandi Carlile exemplify confusion and depression through their effective word choice, as well as Brandi Carlile's use of meaningful questions that puzzle her.
This song would come in at page 104, after Maurice and Sandy harrass Holden in his hotel room, and he feels like killing himself. Holden feels depressed, insignificant, and he appears to be losing his senses. In the song Losing Heart the author expresses a feeling of becoming less passionate about life and about the confusion that stems from that.
Thesis:
The song Losing Heart by Brandi Carlile suggests the incoming insanity and depression that Holden feels, through its gloomy lyrics and repetition of confused questions. Holden portrays his sense of depression when he narrates, "What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window" (104). This illustrates his obvious feelings of depression, and how he cannot handle his current life. Similarly, Brandi Carlile writes "I don't mind if my heart don't beat and the sun don't shine." This complements Holden's state of mind, because "my heart don't beat" implies death, and "sun don't shine" implies an apocalypse. Therefore, a nonchalance towards death and the end of world reflects Holden's emotions when he says, "I ... felt like ... committing suicide." Furthermore, Holden illustrates his confused state of mind when he says, "I was so damn mad and nervous and all" (103). This shows us the multiple and strong emotions he feels at this time, and so many emotions are bound to confuse one's mind. In the song, Brandi Carlile writes "Am I losing heart? Have I frozen it? Am I pushing too hard? Have I started to forget?" The sequence of these questions that have no easy answers implies her confusion over her actions and state of mind. Both Holden and Brandi Carlile exemplify confusion and depression through their effective word choice, as well as Brandi Carlile's use of meaningful questions that puzzle her.
INDIVIDUAL SOUNDTRACK CONTRIBUTION
Purpose: In a creative format, demonstrate your understanding of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye by focusing on the characterization of Holden Caulfield and/or a major theme of the novel. Your song selection, placement, and analysis should showcase your knowledge of the text as well as your ability to write analytically.
Task: This assignment has 5 parts
1. Select a song that either: significantly connects with a concept, character, theme, or a motif in the novel.
2. Decide where to “place” the song in the novel. Include the page number and a 2-3 sentence explanation that addresses how your song captures the “moment.” Please include the title of your song and the artist at the beginning of your post.
3. Write an analytical Blog Post: Your post should take the form of an analytical paragraph. This paragraph should include a thesis statement that demonstrates what the song reveals about Holden’s state of mind and/or a major theme of the work. You then should develop and support your position by making references to both texts (concrete details/quotations from the song and the novel). (8-10 sentences in length)
4.Attach a YouTube video link of your song.
5.Listen to the song selection of TWO of your classmates and then respond to his/her post. In this response, you need to comment specifically on the song selection as well as their analysis. Your comment should be 4-6 sentences in length and should include references to both the song and novel.
Madworld
Task: This assignment has 5 parts
1. Select a song that either: significantly connects with a concept, character, theme, or a motif in the novel.
2. Decide where to “place” the song in the novel. Include the page number and a 2-3 sentence explanation that addresses how your song captures the “moment.” Please include the title of your song and the artist at the beginning of your post.
3. Write an analytical Blog Post: Your post should take the form of an analytical paragraph. This paragraph should include a thesis statement that demonstrates what the song reveals about Holden’s state of mind and/or a major theme of the work. You then should develop and support your position by making references to both texts (concrete details/quotations from the song and the novel). (8-10 sentences in length)
4.Attach a YouTube video link of your song.
5.Listen to the song selection of TWO of your classmates and then respond to his/her post. In this response, you need to comment specifically on the song selection as well as their analysis. Your comment should be 4-6 sentences in length and should include references to both the song and novel.
Madworld
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