The Catcher in the Rye 2

"The Catcher in the Rye"

By: J.D. Salinger

"All you knew was, you were happy (Page 79)." This simple phrase draws a powerful and complex connection in connecting Jane Gallagher with Holden. For, despite their differences, the two characters share a similarity in feelings and connections. 

The phrase above presents the emotions felt by Holden while in the presence of Jane Gallagher. Both, when together feel happiness and enjoy the time together, but when a part, are confronted by the troubles of life and challenges before them. As Jane feels separated from her family so too does Holden. Thus, each finds stability and satisfaction in each other and share in a deep connection to one another while many other characters seem to act as foils to the two of their personalities. For example, Stradlater, Holden's roommate  acts as a foil to Holden in manner, personality, and interest. While Holden and Jane share in a respect for one another and others, Stradlater is characterized as someone who takes advantage of women and focuses on himself. Thus, within the webbing of characters is a ring of both similarities and differences, characters alike and foils. 

The Catcher in the Rye 1

"The Catcher in the Rye"

By: J.D. Salinger

The point of view in which a story is told directs the credibility of the plot, the reader's point of view, and the tale itself. Everything presented in such narration is controlled and determined by the narrator. Thus, the narrator controls the ideas, action, views, and story. 

Holden Caulfield, the narrator of "The Catcher in the Rye," controls the story and the information the reader knows by presenting the information from a first person point of view. In this narration form, Holden takes powerful control over the plot by strictly analyzing others by looking at their weaknesses and flaws. For example, Holden states "I didn't give a damn how I looked (Page 53)." This phrase not only presents the form of narration as first person, but also Holden's control of the perception of himself. By controlling the presentation of the views, Holden forms a defense by presenting himself gradually by slowly revealing his past and describing himself. Yet, it is in the telling of the story that Holden reveals a particular defining quality of himself. Despite his strengths, his character flaw is the weakness of constantly and uncontrollably telling lies even in situations of little importance. This downfall, presented by Holden's narration and thus, directs the credibility of the plot, the reader's perception, and the tale. 

Poems- "Sorting Laundry"

"Sorting Laundry"

By: Elisavietta Ritchie

"Folding clothes, I think of folding you into my life (Lines 1-3)." As the opening lines to the poem, this simple sentence establishes the theme and key literary technique used throughout the poem. For, this line reveals the metaphor of laundry and the speakers love. 

Within the poem, the key imagery is the laundry. Most importantly, though, is the white shirt which had belonged to the former lover. With the image of the shirt, the psychological association is formed as the speaker associates the clothes as connected with separation and fears that such separation will occur in the speaker's relationship. The length of the poem additionally stresses and illustrates this metaphor. For, the long length suggests an overstatement just as an overstatement is presented when describing the laundry as a "mountain."

By use of metaphor and imagery, the principle idea of sorting through one's emotions within a relationship is established. In sorting through these emotions, the speaker feels as though they are climbing a mountain of uncertainties and must constantly take the next step and try to make it to the top to ensure that the relationship does not separate. Thus, in the image of laundry is established the speakers love.

Poem- "Acquainted with the Night"

"Acquainted with the Night"

By: Robert Frost

"I have been one acquainted with the night (Page 976)." As an epanalepsis or phrase repeated both at the beginning and end of the poem, this phrase serves a crucial meaning of revealing the meaning. Throughout the poem, the speaker wonders through the night. By wondering, the reader becomes "acquainted" or familiar with the night but is never truly close and connected with it. By using the pronoun, one, the speaker remains distant and keeps separation from the identity and contentedness of knowing the night. The true importance of the line, however, is revealed in its repetition. First revealed in the title, the phrase suggests the relevance and importance of the speaker's connection with the night. In introducing the poem, the phrase provides an induction to the night itself. Yet, it is in the third repetition, that the true significance is stressed. Just as in the saying, "the third time is the charm," the third time truly becomes the charm by ending the night as the "luminary clock" or moon runs out of time and disappears and the speaker moves on by fate. 

Poems- "Batter my heart, three-person God"

"Batter my heart, three-person God"

By: John Donne

Strategically written as a sonnet, the structure of the poem helps to reveal the meaning of the poem. Each quatrain, four lines of a poem considered a unit, represents a different aspect of a person's connection to God. As a result of the structure, the paradox and central focal point of the poem is revealed. 

The paradox, "Take me to you, imprison me, for I, except you enthrall me, never shall be free, nor ever chaste, except you ravish me (Lines 12-14)." Upon first reading the lines, the poem phrase seems to be self-contradictory, but in fact reveals a truth. In the statement, the speaker begs to be "imprisoned" as they claim that without being forced to turn to and focus on God, they will not be able to leave their marriage to the devil. By stating that God must "enthrall" the speaker, the reader initially sees a contradiction from the previous statement. Yet, it is by enthralling and "ravishing" that the speaker will be inclined to stay and focus on God. 

Just as the structure reveals a paradox, so to does the structure reveal the love within the poem. For, sonnets, typically devised to present a change and express emotions, is used as the structure of this poem to describe the speakers change in love and focus from Satan to God. Thus, the poem itself is a paradox of being married to Satan, but seeking to love God. 

Poems-The Convergence of the Twain

"The Convergence of the Twain"

By: Thomas Harding

The powerful poem written about the loss succumbed in the drowning of the Titanic describes not only the ship itself, but the see and iceberg as well. Through such imagery, the poem describes the events of the sinking of the ship and contrasts the grandeur of the ship itself to the ultimate fate it faces.  Most importantly, however, the poem uses symbolism to develop a deeper meaning of the "sinking" of human vanity and pride. 

Such a symbol as the connection between the Titanic ship and humans is particularly evident in the final line of the poem which states, "And consummation comes, and jars two hemispheres (Line 33)." In this line, the symbolism of the ship and people is fully established and clear as the two hemispheres represent the Americas and the European nations. In the sinking, both hemispheres were greatly impacted just as people in both hemispheres experience sinking in pride, nature, and vanity. For, as the Titanic was supposed to be one of humanity's grandest inventions, its sinking represented the sinking of man's confidence in his ability. With the loss of such grandeur is the theme of man's superficial desires for material riches which when lost, only sink to the grotesque coldness of worms in the darkness of the sea. Thus, it is in the poem of the Titanic that man is reminded once more to live with an apt for learning from one's sunken past. 

Gender Unit- Barbie Doll

"Barbie Doll"

By: Marge Piercy

In society, gender is constantly  classified and idealized. People are challenged to conform to social expectations and fulfill what is expected of them according to their gender. "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy analyzes this ideal quality by presenting the challenges women face in patriarchal society to conform to the expectations of them as women. 

The poem, divided into different sections, presents news ideas in each. For, in the first section, the traditional image of the barbie, the idea woman instilled in ideas of children as a toy, is presented. This stanza not only describes her looks, but also her actions and the way a woman is expected to be. Then, however, the real image of a living girl is presented with all of her flaws. The young girl, seen as having a big nose and fat legs, never measures up to the barbie doll expectations and gender role. In the final section, this pressure to conform leads to the an ultimate death. Ironically, this death leads people to describe the woman in the casket as beautiful although first seen as traditional and with flaws. While the irony of this statement hangs over the reader, I believe the statement serves an important role. For, through the ironic statement, the reader can infer that "To every woman a happy ending (836)," the narrator is not only referring to happiness, but the relief of not having to conform to social standings. I believe the death presented could serve as an metaphor for the escape of women from the patriarchal demands of conforming to freedom.