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.
I like this song choice because it really shows Holden's attitude. He is sick of being told what to be, and sick of school. "Go to college, a university get a real job that's what they say to me but I could never live the way they want." This line relates to what Holden is given a lecture on by Mr. Antollini in that he tells Holden to go to school but he doesn't want to. Also the lines from the song " It's a good life. Thats what I'm told. But everything just all stays the same." could show Holden's depression, and discomfort in his life. I also like the lines :high school...felt more to me like a jail cell, a penitentiary." This perfectly describes the way Holden feels about school and the phonies in it.
ReplyDeleteI completed agree with what you both have said and the song choice. I think it really represents Holden's personality in many ways. Especially when it says in the song, "I dont ever want to be you," I can just imagine Holden talking about all the phonies and actors and the people that are the complete opposite of him and all the different people he really doesn't like. Also, in the song, i felt like it also shows Holden's rebellious side, especially when it says, "throw up your hands." It conveys Holden in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lindsay. Holden doesn't want to live the way they want him do, which is shown with his conversation with Mr. Antollini. Also, to add onto this idea of breaking from the norm, the lyrics of "don't wanna be you," reveals that the singer doesn't want to be like everyone else and the phonies, like Holden at times. I thought Holden's dreams of living in wilderness connect a lot with this song immensely because he does not want to "be part of their crowd." Finally, I thought the lines, " It's a new day, but it all feels old. It's a good life, that's what I'm told but every day, it all just feels the same," connect with Holden's dislike of people always repeating the same routine over and over again like Mr. Spencer's repetitive words.
ReplyDelete