The Catcher in the Rye Unit Plan
About: The Catcher in the Rye is set around the 1950s and is narrated by a young man named Holden Caulfield. Holden is not specific about his location while he's telling the story, but he makes it clear that he is undergoing treatment in a mental hospital or sanatorium.
Annotating: As we read The Catcher in the Rye we will be focusing on the themes and characters. As we annotate the novel we will be marking the text with a C-Character and a T-Theme. As we discuss in class together, we will share our annotations and keep a class log. When writing is assigned, we will have a class log of all examples of themes and characterization throughout the novel.
Themes: the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
Character List:
Resources: http://www.gradesaver.com/the-catcher-in-the-rye/study-guide/character-list
About: The Catcher in the Rye is set around the 1950s and is narrated by a young man named Holden Caulfield. Holden is not specific about his location while he's telling the story, but he makes it clear that he is undergoing treatment in a mental hospital or sanatorium.
Annotating: As we read The Catcher in the Rye we will be focusing on the themes and characters. As we annotate the novel we will be marking the text with a C-Character and a T-Theme. As we discuss in class together, we will share our annotations and keep a class log. When writing is assigned, we will have a class log of all examples of themes and characterization throughout the novel.
Themes: the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
- Alienation as a form of self-protection
- Growing Pains
- “Phoniness” of the adult world
- The Catcher in the Rye
- Holden’s red hunting hat
- Museum of Natural History
- Ducks in the Park
- Is Holden merely the central character, or is he the “hero” of the novel?
- How does Holden relate to people of different ages? different genders?
- How would you describe Holden’s relationship with the opposite sex?
- Does Holden have a superiority complex? Is he superior to others? In what ways?
- Is it inevitable (unavoidable) that we conform to the world and society around us?
- How should a person adjust to a world they did not create?
- What happens when a person does not accept and does not play by the rules of the dominant culture?
- What does it mean to stay true to yourself?
- Is it possible to grow up without becoming phony?
- What does it mean to be a kind, decent person?
- Is life a game?
- What does it mean to be mature and immature? What does it mean to be grown up?
- Why are people cruel to one another? How do people deal with seeing cruelty around them?
- Is it possible to protect everything that matters to you?
Character List:
Resources: http://www.gradesaver.com/the-catcher-in-the-rye/study-guide/character-list