The Catcher in the Rye Essay

Performance Indicators:

 

P.S ELA-2 Reading Analysis: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

A. Evaluate the relevant themes and synthesize how they are present in the novel in oral and written responses.
B. Interpret the implications of setting and circumstance.
C. Analyze the role of characters in the plot in oral and written responses.
D. Analyze important quotations from the text in oral and written responses.
E. Annotate the text.

P.S ELA-3 Reading Craft and Structure: Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of a text.

A. Understand SOAPSTone: Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone
B. Analyze the plot and/or design of the text, following shifts in time and place.

 P.S ELA-4 Writing Analysis:   Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

A. Select and limit a debatable thesis.
B. Research evidence using credible sources.
C. Select an appropriate organizational plan.
D. Acknowledge alternate sides of a position.
E. Apply the standards of English conventions.
F. Apply persuasive strategies.
G. Create a Works Cited for evidence used.

P.S ELA-5 Writing Craft:   Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

A. Create an effective introduction.
B. Use showing details v. telling details.
C. Maintain a focus on the main idea throughout the body paragraphs.
D. Write an effective conclusion.

 

Discuss how symbolism is instrumental in revealing the theme to the novel.

The essay prompt requires that you are competent in recognizing symbolism as you read the novel and that you develop your own understanding of the theme of the story before you begin writing the essay.  The essay is due on DAY 11 of the syllabus.

Apply MLA standards for writing this expository essay.

Submit the essay on turnitin.

An introduction to an expository essay often reveals the title of the novel, the author and a summary of the plot in the opening of the introduction (here is an AI generated introduction):

J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is a rich tapestry of symbols that explores themes of alienation, innocence, and identity. Through the experiences and thoughts of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, Salinger weaves a narrative filled with symbolic meaning that deepens our understanding of Holden’s internal struggles and the novel’s  themes.  “…old Phoebe said. “It’s a poem. By Robert Burns.” . . . She was right, though. It is “If a body meet a body coming through the rye.” I didn’t know it then, though. . . . “I thought it was ‘If a body catch a body,’” I said.  In this passage Salinger reveals Holden’s confused nature with this underlying symbol of the novel’s title.  Throughout the story the reader gains an immensely deeper understanding of Holden’s turmoil under the microscope of symbolism.