Catcher Assignment

Welcome to the English 11 Honors program! This novel and its corresponding activities have been carefully selected and designed to encourage your independent reading, and to build your critical thinking skills in order to gain a deeper understanding of the text. In September, after having completed the assignment, you will be able to fully participate in the classroom lessons, activities and assessments your teacher has planned for the novel. We are certain that you will enjoy the selection and its timeless themes. We wish you all an enjoyable summer and good reading!

The CATCHER in the RYE

a novel by J.D. Salinger

To help you approach The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, included is a suggested breakdown of the novel into four parts and the corresponding Reader Response questions for which you are responsible.

As you read each section (chunk) of the novel, you are encouraged to annotate, or take notes. This will help you during the class discussions, activities, assignments and assessments—based on the novel—that your teacher will conduct in the first weeks of school. If you are using a copy of the book you purchased, you may write your notes directly on the pages themselves; however, if you are using a borrowed copy of the book, post-it notes or a dollar-store marble notebook can be used instead.

Highlighting is not annotating! Think of questions or observations about the author, the author’s style, the language being used, the audience being addressed, and the message or issue being conveyed. Reread passages, for understanding or pleasure, as necessary.

You will be responsible for completing ALL PARTS of the following questions as you read the novel. Please bring the completed assignment with you on the first day of school to be collected by your English teacher.

A) Part 1 of 4: This is the section of chapters (1-8) leading up to Holden’s adventures in NYC (he is still at school, and then on the train to NYC).

“I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life.” (Chapter 3)

How does this quote support the following essential questions: How can you determine who is genuine and who is phony? What motivates an individual to act phony? In addition to your personal response, include specific details from the chapter(s) to support your claim. Your response should be a minimum of 5 sentences.

B) Part 2 of 4: These are the chapters (9-15) where Holden tries to make new friends (cab drivers, prostitutes, bartenders, etc.).

In a minimum of 5-7 sentences, respond to the following:

Have you ever felt alienated, or disconnected from people or society as a whole? Do you believe Holden feels this way in this section of the novel? Explain using at least one specific example (quote!) from this section of the novel. You may use more than one example to support your response.

C) Part 3 of 4: Holden meets up with people he knows and loves (Sally, Phoebe, etc.) in these chapters (15-21).

“Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone.” (Chapter 16)

Explain your feelings about Holden’s statement (above). How does this quote support the following essential question: Is it possible to protect everything that matters to you? Include specific details from the chapter(s) to support your claim. Your response should be a minimum of 5 sentences.

D) Part 4 of 4: This is the end of the book (chapters 21-26) where Holden begins seeking help: from Phoebe, Mr. Antolini, and finally from his therapist.

Locate a quote (or quotes) within the above section of the novel (chapters 21-26) to support your answer to the following essential question: Does society embrace individuals, or exclude them?

Be sure to cite the quote(s) (restate, with chapter and page number in your copy of the text), interpret the quote(s) (explain—in your own words—what you think it means) and fully explain your reasons for choosing the quote(s) to validate your claim.

Remember to bring your completed SUMMER READING PROJECT responses to English class with you on the first day of school! Submissions will be collected as hard copies and via Turnitin.com with your teacher’s assistance!