The Catcher In the Rye

             No teen ever wants to be lonely or an outcast. Some would do anything to avoid it. But what if you're the cause of your loneliness? In the classic "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. Salinger, Holden (the main character) sets himself up for loneliness. Private school, after private school, Holden has never interacted with anyone because he thinks they're all "phony". In the story he says "One of the big reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. That's all." This shows how instead of thinking about is education and making something of himself he left because he couldn't stand the people around him. Later on Holden then gets kicked out of Pency and decides to head to New York, hoping to find something better.  During is trip to New York, Holden spent most of his time in bars getting drunk, alone. He doesn't know what to do or who to talk to. I'm sure you're wondering "What about his parents? Aren't they in the picture?". Sadly no. This contributes to  archetypal theme of struggle with family. Holden and his parents are complete opposites. Holden's parents are religious people who think Holden is taking a wrong turn in life. Instead of getting an education and becoming something of himself, he's throwing it all away (which they don't agree with). However, Holden doesn't care about any of that, which is why they have a bad relationship with each other. He also has a bad relationship with his brother. When they were younger him and his brothers were so close; he felt like no one understood him better. As they got older, his brother became very successful and left to Hollywood, leaving Holden behind, making him feel abandoned. 

              Another archetypal theme in this story is human struggle against self. In the story, Holden is the cause of his loneliness. This is because Holden is very judgmental. He thinks really negative about people, but always wants company. Holden is not only lonely, but also an outcast. He doesn't like to participate in any school activities, and he doesn't even try to make friends. His lack of work is what caused him to get kicked out of another private school. However, towards the end of the story Holden leaves New York and goes back home. This is a very important scene in the story because this is when his sister makes him realize that he's the cause of his depression. 

""You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things. you don't."

"I do! That's where you're wrong- that's exactly where you're wrong!  Why the hell do you say that?"

"Because you don't" - "You can't even think of one thing". 

            This conversation between Holden and his sister shows that she made a point, and realized she was right. This talk with his sister helped him because, at the end he learned not to be so judgmental about everything, and let people be part of his life. After the talk, he starts replaying situations in his head and notices that he's the one making his life more depressing. Because of this, my book club and i said that the theme was: to accept that the people around you aren't going to change to fulfill your needs, but you can. Your life. Your decisions. 

"Rethinking Juvenile Justice"- Non Fiction Response

The main idea of “Rethinking Juvenile Justice” by John Schwarts is that juveniles shouldn’t be charged as adults when crime is committed. In this article, the author uses juvenile cases as examples of this issue. For example, 17 year old James Stewart was drunk driving, and slammed into another vehicle, killing the driver. When arrested they charged James as an adult, moving him to the county jail. As a result of being alone and isolated, James took his own life. According to the article “in the late 1980’s and 90’s nearly half the states have enacted laws that keep more young offenders in the juvenile justice system, divert them from being automatically tried as adults, or prevent them from being placed in adult jails and prison”. This shows how the issue on juveniles being treated as adults has taken place in many states and that they should be treated as the teens that they are and not adults.

            In the article, experts say “a decline in juvenile crime, concerns about the costs of adult prisons, and a growing understanding that adolescents have a greater potential for rehabilitation than adults do”. Meaning that teens have a better chance of recovering and changing than adults, so they should be charged as adolescents. According to psychology professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Laurence Steinberg says “90% of teen offenders do not become adult criminals” and this shows that teens can change and learn from their actions. Research has also shown that a person’s actions at age 13 or 14 are poor indication of the kind of adult he or she will become.  Teens do have a chance to improve their lives and learn from their mistakes. They should be given a chance and be treated for the people that they are, teens not adults. If you give them a chance, they can change. 

"Life Doesn't Frighten Me"- Reading Response

In “Life Doesn’t Frighten” by Maya Angelou, younger readers are taught that there are scary things in life but they shouldn’t let that frighten them.  In the text, Maya shows readers that anything in life is possible. “I can walk the ocean floor/and never have to breathe”. This shows how Maya doesn’t let any obstacles stop her from accomplishing in life.

In the poem Maya uses animals, people, and creatures to show how she doesn’t pay attention to her surroundings no matter who or what because they don’t frighten her. “That new classroom where/boys all pull my hair/ (kissy little girls/ with their hair in curls)/ they don’t frighten me at all”. In this part of the text Maya shows how people will do things to you on purpose in life. She encourages readers to do the opposite of what they expect and be the bigger person.

 Maya also teaches young readers that there are going to be people in life who want to see you fail. But you shouldn’t let them determine your future, because it’s your life and nothing can stop you from what you want to do in life. “I go boo/ make them shoo/ I make fun/ way they run/ I won’t cry/ so they fly/ I just smile/ they go wild/ life doesn’t frighten me at all”. This shows how people want you to be scared but you should prove them wrong and show that nothing will stop you from being who you want to be and doing what you want to do.

This poem is great for young readers because it could inspire them to follow their dreams, no matter what anyone tells them. She encourages you to fight for your beliefs and let no one bring you down. It’s your life, nothing should frighten you at all. 

I Know why The Caged Bird Sings- Summary

Maya (the main character) has a little brother named Bailey. They both lived with their mother until she sent them to live in Stamps ( a small southern town) to live with their grandmother. Both Maya and Bailey felt as if their mother adandoned them because she didnt want them anymore. Throughout their time in Stamps, Maya learned the true meaning of love and family. She felt at home in Stamps with her family and "her people" (blacks). Although Maya isnt racist she feels more comfortable around those that are like her. However, when their father comes back to return them to their mother, Maya doesn't want to go but has no choice but too. When they return to their mother in St.Louis she could barely even recognize her. Besides her skin color, her mother talks white, dresses like the whites and even live like them too. Besides their newly improved mother and home, she has also found herself a new man Mr.Freedman. But what they didnt know was the danger living in their new home. Maya was forced to stay quiet about the sexual activities going on between her and Mr.Freedman. Maya was taken advantage of because she was young and didnt even know what she was doing. Mr.Freedman threatened her saying that if she told anyone he would kill her brother Bailey. Although she loved Bailey more than her own life she had to tell him. They brought Mr.Freedman to court, got sentenced, but was bailed out. Yet got hit by a truck and died. Although he's not in their life anymore, that memory will always haunt her.

Non-Fiction Response: "Crossing the Racial Divide" by Lydia Polgreen

The main idea of Crossing the Racial Divide By Lydia Polgreen is racism and poverty. This article focuses on a white family who moved into a black township to experience their way of life. This white family went from a comfortable home outside of Pretoria, into a 100-square-foot shack with no electricity or running water. When the family first entered the town, many were surprised. ““I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Matshega says. “What are white people doing here”” said one woman. According to Julian Hewitt, father and husband of the white family said “It is one thing to know from an academic perspective what divides us. But what is it like to actually live it?”.

          Based on the article, it said “They all slept on a pile of mattresses on the floor in the 1^st week, the entire family had the flu”. This part of the article showed me how others take their lives for granted while others suffer to survive. People are living in their own worlds, and don’t imagine how others are struggling. “There is a real sense of community, where people rely on each other and take care of each other, that is something that we don’t have enough of back home” says Ena Hewitt. I think the author included this quote in the article because it shows how different people’s lives are. Where the Hewitt family comes from, everyone is independent and only care for themselves and their families. However, in the black township that they were in, families and friends were true help to each other. They cared and helped other families when needed. “I think it’s a wonderful thing, we all need to understand each other better” said Vusi Mahlasela. People still judge others by their appearance and not as a person. We are all human beings, and it’s time we treat each other like it.

          “It’s very simple. We’re doing it for ourselves. We’re doing it to change ourselves” replied Julian Hewitt, when asked why his family decided to live in a shack instead. It was about time people started to make change. People, everywhere around the world shouldn't let history repeat itself. Human rights and equality was fought for so everyone was to feel and be untied. While most of us have food and water every day, many struggle to do the same. It doesn’t matter how you look, or where you come from. We are all human beings and we should all help and act the same way towards each other. This article showed me a glance of the struggles people have to go through to live. Think about how lucky you are to have food, water, electronics, etc., because others would kill to have the lives we take for granted.  

Graceling By Kristin Cashore- Revised Version

 In today's society being unique is something to worship. But is it the same everywhere? In the book Graceling by Kristin Cashore, being different isn't always a good thing. Katsa (main character) lives in a world where some people have their own ability or grace. But what makes Katsa so different from others with graces? Katsa has a killing grace, meaning she can kill anyone with her bare hands; because of this people fear her and her power. "Katsa caught the child's eyes and stared her down. The girl gasped and backed up a few steps, then turned and ran from the hall". Katsa is 11, meaning that even others her age are scared to even look at her. This leaves Katsa very lonely causing her to be very independent and refuse marriage, since they could marry at young ages. Unlike many, there are however others who trust and admire Katsa. "The women held her gaze, as no other than Raffin, Oll, or the king did". No one in the castle ever looks at Katsa; servants, guests, nobody.

Although, Katsa doesn't want to admit her loneliness, Katsa admires Helda (the women) for giving her the company and getting to know Katsa for who she is and not stories that have been told about her/ not fearing her grace like the others. Her whole life, Katsa did nothing but obey the king who is also her uncle, that all changes when Prince Po reaches the castle in search for his grandfather. He encourages Katsa to do what she wants in life and not let others control her. "Po thinks you have the courage. Pretend that you believe he's right. Believe him, for just a moment". In this moment Katsa is about to tell the king how she disobeyed his order and will leave the castle to live her own life. Po has been a good influence and a good friend to Katsa throughout his time in the castle. She has finally learned to trust him as he trusted her. Being different has its ups and downs in the world this book revolves around. Having a killing grace has changed Katsa's life forever. For most of her life she's done nothing but sit alone at her dinner table or sit in a room all by herself. You're judged by your looks and what others think or have heard about you; not who you really are as a person. Under all that power Katsa is a girl who wants to be loved, but doesn't want to believe it herself. Being unique is what makes you special. Would you stand up for yourself or hide in the shadows like everyone else? You choose...

Fire by Kristin Cashore- CTQ 2 #2

Have you ever been afraid of yourself because your the exact same image as someone or something you dont want to become? In Fire by Kristin Cashore, the main character Fire us the only human monster remaining in the world of Dells. She has the unique ability to control minds of others. Although, she's capable of helping the prince's save the kingdom, she's too afraid to become the monster her father was. In the text the characters point of views are addressed by the author which is the narrator. However, I feel like certain perspectives from characters are missing in the story.
One character who I think perspective is missing is Fire. "Cansrel pulled a knife from his belt and advanced on the dog... dont hurt it him, father please! Can't you feel that he didn't mean it?" (Cashore 53) In this part of the text Fire has a flashback of her father beating her dog. The author should've added Fire's POV to this part of the text because It would explain/help the reader understand how much her father has affected her. It would also make this oart of the text more descriptive. "We're not lovers anymore, she thought to him. This is the thing I needed to tell you. The closer you get to me the harder you pull, and your grip is too tight. You hurt me with it. You love me so much you've forgotten how to be my friend. I love my friend. We're through as lovers. Do you understand? "( Cashore 251-252). This part of the text would be great to add Archer's POV because the author doesn't really show you Archer's thoughts about what Fire said like it would if she gave Archer's POV. I feel like it would've been more intense and would intrigue the reader more. "We'll say our goodbyes now. You must go down and tell the prince I'm coming". This is where Fire volunteers to go with the prince to kill the king. This would be a great part of the text for Fire and Archer's POV because it would give the reader a better explanation why she decides to sacrifice her life and leave the person she loves (Archer). It would also give the readers a view of Archer's thoughts.
Throughout the story Fire begins to  reveal herself to what she's capable of. Although the author doesn't give characters perspectives she does do a good job in describing it and helping the reader comprehend the text as much as she can. Now off to reading... will their plan to kill the king work or will it fail??