Snowdrops - A Discursive Essay

GCSE English Coursework Snowdrops - A Discursive Essay The writer of the "Snowdrops" conveys the boy's world by using a number of different techniques. As the writer uses many different techniques this makes the boy's world become clearer to the reader (us). The main point in which you can tell that the author is conveying the boy's world is by describing his world by using, third person narrative. The way in which you can tell that the author is talking in the third person narrative is in the way in which she uses words like "the boy". This shows that she is talking about the boy. Another way in which the writer conveys the boy's world is by using childish vocabulary. An example of the childish vocabulary the author uses is when his father enters the room, "his father came in and filled the room with bigness". The word "bigness" in this sentence shows us that these are words that a child, like the boy would use. An adult would not use words like bigness to describe things, they would use much more descriptive words. The writer shows the boy's feeling in such a clear way. An example of showing the boy's feelings is when he says "Miss. Webster is going to show us the snowdrops today", this shows us that all he is thinking about is the snowdrops. It also shows us that he is not feeling sad about the Meredith boy's death, as he does not know anything about the

  • Word count: 720
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"The Catcher in The Rye" is a novel by J.D. Salinger.

"The Catcher in the Rye" "The Catcher in The Rye" is a novel by J.D. Salinger which addresses the themes of self-discovery, the transition of child to adult and mental breakdown. The novel is a monologue narrated by Holden Cauldfield, a sixteen-year-old prep school boy who spends three eventful days in New York. To begin with I found Holden a rather unattractive character, but towards the end of his narrative I felt sympathetic towards him as I became aware of his social and emotional difficulties and his impending breakdown. Holden's story gives account of a boy struggling to become a man but who succumbs an emotional and mental collapse. It is a sad and sometimes funny portrayal of the final decline into the breakdown of an adolescent; most of all however it is a convincing account of his breakdown. Early on in the narrative a discerning reader could recognise that the speaker, Holden Cauldfield, is emotionally unstable: "Besides, I'm not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything. I'll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around late Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy." This is typical of the way Holden speaks, and here reveals a first hint of instability which becomes clearer as he is about to leave Pency Prep when he tells us he has very pronounced mood changes. One moment he tells

  • Word count: 1085
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How important are settings in The Catcher in the Rye?

Question: May 2006 How important are settings in The Catcher in the Rye? -Choose two settings. -write about: -how the settings are presented. -why they are important. The bildungsroman, The Catcher in the Rye could be considered as one of J.D Salinger's most famous novel of all time. The novel was highly controversial when first published. In fact, it was actually censored in numerous American high schools, to such an extent that some professors lost their jobs because of teaching it. The protagonist in the novel, Holden Caulfield could be considered as an epitome of teenagers. The settings used in the novel by Salinger are highly important in depicting the behaviour of Holden towards others, but most importantly showing his level of mental state. Two settings which are particularly significant in the novel include Holden's encounter with Phoebe in chapter 22 (where he informs her of his ambition to be the 'catcher in the rye). Moreover, another setting which signifies importance is Mr Antolini's abode, where Holden goes to seek shelter and advice towards the end of the novel in chapter 24. In chapter 22, on being asked by Phoebe on what he wishes to do in the future, Holden informs her that he wishes to be the 'catcher in the rye'. He tells her of the poem 'if a body catch a body comin' through the rye'. Phoebe corrects him instantly that the word was not 'catch' but

  • Word count: 799
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Write about Holdens relationships with females in The Catcher in the Rye and how Salinger presents these relationships

Write about Holden's relationships with females in The Catcher in the Rye and how Salinger presents these relationships During this essay, I will be discussing how Salinger presents Holden's relationships with females as throughout the novel he meets several females; however Holden meets many different characters in the novel, both male and female and while many of his experiences with the opposite sex end up being negative. Furthermore the novel '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. The events he narrates take place in the few days between the end of the school term and Christmas. Furthermore certain vocabulary is used throughout the novel several times for instance word "Phoniness" which is probably the most famous word from The Catcher in the Rye as it is used commonly by Holden. As Holden explains that adults are inevitably phonies, and, what's worse, they can't see their own phoniness. Phoniness, for Holden, stands as an emblem of everything that's wrong in the world around him and provides an excuse for him to withdraw into his cynical loneliness. In addition Holden's encounter with Sunny, when it becomes clear that he is unable to handle a

  • Word count: 1024
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does Slinger present Holden as being both a strong and a weak character in 'The Catcher in the Rye'?

How does Slinger present Holden as being both a strong and a weak character in 'The Catcher in the Rye'? Timed : 45mins Salinger, author of the teenage novel 'The Catcher in the Rye', presents the character of Holden Caulfield to have both weak and strong qualities. He shows this through the use of his linguistic techniques. At a first glance it seems that the character of Holden only has weak points however, after a more in depth reading it is clear that he also has some strengths. The first weakness to note about the character of Holden Caulfield is his judgemental tendencies. Throughout the first ten chapters this weakness becomes increasingly frequent. One example of this is when Holden goes to visit his history teacher, upon Mrs. Spencer's opening of the door he comments, 'They didn't have a maid or anything, and they always opened the door themselves. They didn't have too much dough.' By Salinger's use of this sentence Holden is showed to be judgemental towards even those whom he cares for. This suggests that his personality wills him to criticize, as well as this he notices 'flaws' others would not. On the other hand this could show a strength in which he is somewhat perceptive and notices many little differences others would not. Further on in the book Holden becomes alone and it seems that he either mentions others from his past so that he may judge them -

  • Word count: 1651
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Holden's spiritual Journey in the Catcher in the Rye

HOLDEN CAULFIELD'S ODYSSEY OF SELF DISCOVERY What is it that defines the infamous teenage years that everyone at one point or another goes through? Is it all the struggle of trying to break through the crowd or the stress of facing the endless conflicts that didn't exist when you were a child? Maybe it's the pain of shedding the protective cocoon called childhood, to face your deepest fears and understand that all those simple truths might not be so simple. At the other end of these terrible years filled with confusion and tears is light. Every child comes through as an individual with a better idea of his or her self and place in society. In J.D Salinger's coming of age novel The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist Holden Caulfield embarks on a spiritual journey, during which he comes to terms with himself and the world. In the opening chapters of the novel, one can easily suspect that Caulfield is psychologically ill, judging by his cynical tone, hypocritical behavior and immature views. His constant criticism of society's phoniness displays his cynical views; and when he bluntly lies to his fellow classmate's mother about her son during a train to New York, he reveals his own hypocrisy as a phony. Another trait visible from Holden's narration is the immaturity in understanding change, which is obvious from the way his thoughts are constantly revolving around

  • Word count: 1762
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"Treat the Catcher in the Rye as a letter from Holden to you, imagine you are one of the characters in the novel (Jane, Allie, D.B, Psychoanalyst, Phoebe, Holden's Mum or Dad) and write the reply.

"Treat the Catcher in the Rye as a letter from Holden to you, imagine you are one of the characters in the novel (Jane, Allie, D.B, Psychoanalyst, Phoebe, Holden's Mum or Dad) and write the reply. Dear Holden, Hi mate, what's gone wrong with you? I can't believe this has happened to you. You were fine when I left, after Allie dying and all. You know when I last saw you I was with Rachel (The English Actress). Well I proposed to her and she said yes. I am organising our honeymoon and the wedding so I am a bit tied up at the moment. So that is why I am writing a letter and not coming down to see you in person. In your previous letter, on a few occasions, you seemed to talk as if you were a different person. I wanna give you some advice. It will be easier if I tell you how I would have acted, or how you should have acted, just to help you. I remember you told me about that guy, Stradlater, and he was going on a date with Jane. He asked you to do an essay for him. I wouldn't have done it for him; you have got your own life, try living it brother. Why didn't you tell him you didn't want to do it for him? If he was an alright guy he would have stayed at the school and written it himself. He was walking all over you and he only did it because you did not have anything better to do, because you were getting kicked out of Pencey in a few days. The thing with you is that you just

  • Word count: 1244
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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To What Extent Does Salinger Make You Sympathize With Holden Caulfield

The Catcher In The Rye By J.D.Salinger To What Extent Does Salinger Make You Sympathize With Holden Caulfield J.D Salinger has made the main character and narrator, Holden Caulfield, very complex. He has many good qualities that help the reader to sympathize with him. However throughout the novel the reader comes to realize that Holden's behaviour around other characters often contradicts the opinions he has expressed to t he reader. This makes us see that, at times, Holden is no better than the characters he dislikes. It makes him seem "phoney." However his use of colloquial language helps the reader to realize that Holden is still quite young and has a childish and immature view of life. You can see how immature he is because even though he is sixteen he still made a snowball and tried to get on a bus without realizing that the bus driver would make him throw it out. "The snow was very good for packing. I didn't throw it at anything," Holden then complains, "But he wouldn't believe me. People never believe you." This is a very childish thing to say, if he doesn't get his own way then Holden believes that it's the other person's fault. He never considers that the bus driver is just doing his job or that eventually the snowball would melt on the bus creating more work for the bus driver who would probably have to clean it up. He instead immediately assumes that everyone

  • Word count: 1432
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Themes in The Catcher in the Rye

Zayar Phyo 1th September 2004 English (10 C) Themes in The Catcher in the Rye In The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, shows about the teenage life and thoughts. This novel is written in Holden Caulfield's point of view. This helps the reader to know and understand more about him. Holden is a teenage boy from 1940s who doesn't like phony but he himself is a phony. His thoughts and his characteristics are different from most of the teenagers. This novel reveals several themes. Three of the most important themes are how does Holden view the world that he is living in, loss of innocence and his depression and loneliness. Holden's view of the world as phony is a very strong one and in most cases is correct. Holden thinks that the majority of the people in the world are pretending to impress and befriend with other people. In a way Holden is probably correct in thinking that most of the people he comes in contact with are phony such as his roommate at Pencey, Ward Stradlater. Holden refers to Stradlater as a secret slob. He describes how Stradlater always tries to be neat and tidy on the outside to impress others but how he is not when you get to know him. In the scene where Holden and Stradlater are in the can and Stradlater is getting ready for a date, Holden describes Stradlater's razor is rusty and full with hair and lather. Furthermore you can see

  • Word count: 1121
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does J.D Salinger present the problems of teenagers in the first chapters of Catcher in the Rye?

How does J.D Salinger present the problems of teenagers in the first chapters of Catcher in the Rye? Catcher in the Rye is set in 1950's America based around a teenage boy by the name of Holden Caulfield. Holden is a troubled yet rebellious teenager and is shown to have many stereotypically teenage problems such as school, social life and the opposite sex. The first and most notable instance we see of Holden's teenage troubles is at the start of chapter two; this is when he explains to the reader about him leaving Pencey, although he is reluctant to give us the real reasons why. Holden tells the reader that he has 'just quit [school], sort of'. This one quote gives us a clear insight, early in the book, into Holden's perspective in life. It also shows us that Holden doesn't really care about leaving school, as he tells us later in the chapter, Pencey is his fourth school. This emphasises Holden's role as a rebellious teenager, defying the educational system, showing that a number of problems within his life can be linked or even in some cases blamed on school. Another typical teenage problem in some cases, making friends, can be difficult for Holden Caulfield as is shown in the scenes in which he speaks of Ackley's 'disgusting' habits and his fight with Stradlater. These two events sum up Holden's relationship and 'friendships' with his peers, one which is often phoney, on

  • Word count: 413
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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