11AP: English Lang & Comp
English 11 Mrs. Woebel
Catcher in the Rye Essay
Objective: Analyzing Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye.
Process: You will choose an essay topic from below, or create one of your own. It is essential that you reference quotations and specific examples from the text. You must also cite ONE additional critical theory essay. Each of you will have read Peter Seng’s critical essay. Depending on your topic, I have additional essays you may choose to use OR you can find one from the WB Library Online Databases. You may ONLY use works found on the online databases. I will not accept a source from a general internet search. You are to write a two to three-page paper that supports your thesis or argument about Holden.
➢ Use MLA format
➢ The paper will be typewritten, 12 font, 1” margins, double-spaced
➢ Make sure you use citations from the novel in the essay (Salinger 120)
➢ Include one critical theory citation with formal lead-in
This paper will be worth 100 points.
Essay Topics:
1. Discuss the theme of death in the novel, citing specific events and passages throughout. How does this theme contribute to Holden’s psychological breakdown? (“Love and Death,” “In Memoriam,” or Critical Theory Today)
2. Choose one or two specific incidents that occur in Holden’s adventure and defend how these were instrumental in Holden’s eventual breakdown. (All will work – “Fallen Idol” for Antolini, “In Memoriam” for Allie’s death)
3. Many believe that Holden’s absent parents are a major cause of his psychological behaviors. Defend this claim and how it affects Holden. (Critical Theory Today)
4. Discuss the idea of sibling rivalry throughout the novel. Make sure you discuss all three of his siblings. (Critical Theory Today)
5. How does Holden view women throughout the novel? (“Fallen Idol” – comment about nuns and Jane; Critical Theory Today Feminist Critique chapter – as for a copy if you didn’t read it for Gatsby)
6. What are Holden’s defense mechanisms and how do they connect to his psychological state? (Critical Theory Today)
7. Why is innocence so important to Holden? How is this illustrated in his catcher in the rye fantasy? (“Fallen Idol” and “The Catcher in the Rye” by Eberhard)
8. Trace the “falling” and “catching” motif throughout the novel and discuss its significance (“Fallen Idol” and “The Catcher in the Rye” by Eberhard)
9. Why is Holden so concerned about the ducks in the park? What might they represent? (“The Catcher in the Rye” by Eberhard)
10. How is Holden affected by socioeconomic status? What influence do the pressure of money and status have on Holden? (Critical Theory Today Marxist Critique from Tyson – ask for a copy if you did not read for Gatsby)
Attacking this task:
1. Review the list of options and decide on one you feel most comfortable writing.
2. Decide on a focus. What is it that you will try to defend or prove? Write a rough thesis statement and begin to look for defense of your argument.
3. Brainstorm major points and begin finding clear evidence for each claim.
4. Make sure you are including plenty of textual evidence as support. Try to find at least three quotes minimum from the novel. You must have ample text support for your claims. Do not just “quote drop.” Make sure you lead into quotes.
Example: As Holden falls deeper into depression, he hallucinates that he is talking with his younger brother, begging him for help. As he crosses the street he thinks, “Don’t let me disappear. Please, Allie” (Salinger 218).
5. Provide some ethos when citing your one required critical essay.
Example: Critical essayist Peter Seng observed in his essay “Fallen Idol,” “Sensitive and perceptive as Holden is, he is still an adolescent and so an immature judge of adult life.”
6. Organize the paper and incorporate transitions, introduction, and conclusion.
7. Revise language – “Interrogate” every word and sentence to be both concise and precise throughout.
8. Include a Works Cited page at the end. Use the information provided on my website to create your citation page. ONLY include the novel and the 1-2 critical essays you cited. NOT the entire list. Your formatting should be the same as the doc. published on my website.
All resources for this paper are on twoebel. (Warriors)
Under 11AP Writing and 11AP Writing and 11AP Catcher
• YOU MAY NOT use any internet study guides, such as cliffnotes, sparknotes, Shmoop, Wikipedia, Gradesaver, Litcharts, eNotes, etc. These are considered cheating websites.
• ONLY use the WB online databases or Critical Theory Today for your paper
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