I finally finished The Catcher in the Rye, somehow, i feel that i kind of didn't understand the book.
Why do i feel like this? Because, after i finished the book, my sister asked me if i knew where Holden was located at the end of the book. I told her that Holden went back home, but my sister replied that he was at a mental institute of some sort.
So i am very confused by this book. I really didn't understand the main idea of this book, because Holden just fooled around throughout the whole book, with no real problems.
Some parts of the book i liked was around page 240..? Holden was talking about how there is no place in the world that is 'peaceful'. He says this because everywhere he goes he sees the 'F' curse on the walls of schools, museums and more.
Well this is the last comment of this book :)
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
pg100-200 (CATCHER IN THE RYE)
So, now i am up to pg200 in the Catcher in the Rye. I found out that this book does not have any specific plot. For example, this book has no 'main' problem. Just various small problems, such as small fights (maybe the one with Old Mercio? at one of the hotel, when Holden does not want to pay an extra 5 dollars, or the fight with Sally).
To me, this book is kind of boring, because nothing big happens. I noticed the pattern in this book, which was Holden goes to New York, goes to a bar or hotel (and tries to get drunk), then he meets someone he knows, then goes back to drink, smoke few cigarettes and etc.
So, i am not really liking this book at the moment. :/
To me, this book is kind of boring, because nothing big happens. I noticed the pattern in this book, which was Holden goes to New York, goes to a bar or hotel (and tries to get drunk), then he meets someone he knows, then goes back to drink, smoke few cigarettes and etc.
So, i am not really liking this book at the moment. :/
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
SYMBOLISM
SO the theme for this week is SYMBOLISM
So, in the book Catcher in the Rye, i found several symbolisms!
Here are some things i found:
-"She'd wear white gloves and walk right between us..." (Salinger, pg89)
In the quote above, Holden is talking about her little sister (10 years old?). I believe that the white gloves symbolizes a grown up lady, because from the context, Holden tells the readers that his sister is very smart and knowledgeable.
-"And she though Buddy Singer's poor old beat-up clarinet player was really terrific when he stood up and took a couple of ice-cold hot licks. She called his clarinet a "licorice stick"." (Salinger, pg97)
I am not sure about this quote. But it seems that the licorice stick symbolizes the clarinet.
- This last quote can be found on page 121. I won't put it up on my blog because i don't think it's acceptable. In the quote a man symbolizes a violin for a woman's body.
I noticed that most of my 'symbols' were comparison. Maybe i did it wrong?
So, in the book Catcher in the Rye, i found several symbolisms!
Here are some things i found:
-"She'd wear white gloves and walk right between us..." (Salinger, pg89)
In the quote above, Holden is talking about her little sister (10 years old?). I believe that the white gloves symbolizes a grown up lady, because from the context, Holden tells the readers that his sister is very smart and knowledgeable.
-"And she though Buddy Singer's poor old beat-up clarinet player was really terrific when he stood up and took a couple of ice-cold hot licks. She called his clarinet a "licorice stick"." (Salinger, pg97)
I am not sure about this quote. But it seems that the licorice stick symbolizes the clarinet.
- This last quote can be found on page 121. I won't put it up on my blog because i don't think it's acceptable. In the quote a man symbolizes a violin for a woman's body.
I noticed that most of my 'symbols' were comparison. Maybe i did it wrong?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
pg1-100
Once again, i read the first 100 pages of The Catcher In the Rye
Nothing special happens, i guess.
Holden (the main character) just gets kicked out from Pencey (his school)
and he decides to go to New York, before returning home to his family.
There also moments in the first 100 pages, where he is talking to the guys from his school.
Holden seems to have interest towards Jane (because when Strager...tells Holden that he has a date with Jane, Holden seems very curious and nosy about it).
Not much happened in the first 100 pages.
Nothing special happens, i guess.
Holden (the main character) just gets kicked out from Pencey (his school)
and he decides to go to New York, before returning home to his family.
There also moments in the first 100 pages, where he is talking to the guys from his school.
Holden seems to have interest towards Jane (because when Strager...tells Holden that he has a date with Jane, Holden seems very curious and nosy about it).
Not much happened in the first 100 pages.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
NEW BOOK-> THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
For my third book i decided to choose The Catcher in The Rye. I chose this book because I heard this book's name from many places but never had the chance to read it (also the fact that i actually had this book at home helped me).
The Catcher in The Rye was written by J.D Salinger and has about 277 pages. This book does not have a blurb, but from the internet i was able to find some information about this book before reading it. This book is about a boy named holden Caulfield, he gets kicked out of his school (Pencey) and starts his adventure to New York.
From finding the small amount of information, i predict that the book will tell about Holden's experience throughout his 'adventure' to New York. I read from Wikipedia, that the book is only 48 hours of Holden's life.
Where i got my information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger
The Catcher in The Rye was written by J.D Salinger and has about 277 pages. This book does not have a blurb, but from the internet i was able to find some information about this book before reading it. This book is about a boy named holden Caulfield, he gets kicked out of his school (Pencey) and starts his adventure to New York.
From finding the small amount of information, i predict that the book will tell about Holden's experience throughout his 'adventure' to New York. I read from Wikipedia, that the book is only 48 hours of Holden's life.
Where i got my information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger
FINISHED BELL JAR
The Bell Jar was only 242 pages, and i finished it in two weeks.
This book was not my favorite book. To me, it was quite disturbing.
After pg 100, many things started to happen to Esther Greenwood. Esther Greenwood, pretty much turned 'crazy'. She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she turned suicidal.
When she came back home from NYC, she had many thoughts of killing herself, and even made few attempts. She tried to hang herself, and almost one time she was successful, when she overdosed on sleeping pills (she pretended like she was going out to walk by writing a letter to her mother, then went into the attic with the pills and a cup of water...so that no one could find her, but eventually her mother found her and brought her to hospital)
I'm not sure how many hospitals Esther went to, but she went through many treatments. Such as shock treatments, and she got injections often (insulin?-not sure).
Also there was this other thing that was happening in the story, something with a boy named Buddy Willard. Buddy Willard was Esther's crush for awhile, but when they finally went out and did things together (such as dates), she started to dislike him (maybe because he wasn't a virgin?). Soon Esther hated him and she basically wanted to lose her virginity as a revenge toward Buddy Willard.
Anyway, a lot of things happen in this book, and some of these things gave me a headache (i couldn't read this book for a long time, because i got headaches or it was to disturbing for me).
This book is good for those who like 'realistic' books (this book was kind of realistic because it is like Slyvia Plath's mini-autiobiography).
Well im off to find a new book :)
This book was not my favorite book. To me, it was quite disturbing.
After pg 100, many things started to happen to Esther Greenwood. Esther Greenwood, pretty much turned 'crazy'. She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she turned suicidal.
When she came back home from NYC, she had many thoughts of killing herself, and even made few attempts. She tried to hang herself, and almost one time she was successful, when she overdosed on sleeping pills (she pretended like she was going out to walk by writing a letter to her mother, then went into the attic with the pills and a cup of water...so that no one could find her, but eventually her mother found her and brought her to hospital)
I'm not sure how many hospitals Esther went to, but she went through many treatments. Such as shock treatments, and she got injections often (insulin?-not sure).
Also there was this other thing that was happening in the story, something with a boy named Buddy Willard. Buddy Willard was Esther's crush for awhile, but when they finally went out and did things together (such as dates), she started to dislike him (maybe because he wasn't a virgin?). Soon Esther hated him and she basically wanted to lose her virginity as a revenge toward Buddy Willard.
Anyway, a lot of things happen in this book, and some of these things gave me a headache (i couldn't read this book for a long time, because i got headaches or it was to disturbing for me).
This book is good for those who like 'realistic' books (this book was kind of realistic because it is like Slyvia Plath's mini-autiobiography).
Well im off to find a new book :)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
pg1-100 for BELL JAR~
Wow, i can't believe people actually read my posts (especially those who read my super duper long posts):D
Anyways, I just finished reading the first 100 pages of the Bell jar (but i should hurry up and finish the book, because i have to return it to the library in few days).
In my opinion, this book is not as interesting as My Sister's keeper. The Bell Jar is more depressing and confusing. Half the time i was reading the book, i didn't understand what was happening, but there were some few moments in the book where i was deeply in to it.
So, some things from the first 100 pages that i learned was about Esther (main character). Esther is a very peculiar character. At the moment she is at New york, with 11 or 12 more girls who won an internship there. Esther is the type of girl who doesn't know where she belongs. Some times she loves spending time with Doreen (who is like a party girl?) but then there are other times where she depises her and likes to play with innocent Besty.
Overall, Esther makes me very confused.
Anyways, I just finished reading the first 100 pages of the Bell jar (but i should hurry up and finish the book, because i have to return it to the library in few days).
In my opinion, this book is not as interesting as My Sister's keeper. The Bell Jar is more depressing and confusing. Half the time i was reading the book, i didn't understand what was happening, but there were some few moments in the book where i was deeply in to it.
So, some things from the first 100 pages that i learned was about Esther (main character). Esther is a very peculiar character. At the moment she is at New york, with 11 or 12 more girls who won an internship there. Esther is the type of girl who doesn't know where she belongs. Some times she loves spending time with Doreen (who is like a party girl?) but then there are other times where she depises her and likes to play with innocent Besty.
Overall, Esther makes me very confused.
Friday, March 14, 2008
NEW BOOK!!! --> THE BELL JAR
There wasn't any specific reason why i chose The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
I just chose this book, because when i was at the library trying to borrow My Sister's Keeper, i saw The Bell Jar and somehow i remembered that the book was on Ms. Faughey's list.
The Bell Jar kind of portrays Sylvia Plath's emotions throughout her childhood (including a mental breakdown and suicide attempt). Ester plays Sylvia Plath who gets a scholarship/internship that brings her to New York, soon she goes back to her hometown and becomes depressed and so on.
I find this book a little scary, because it is said that a month after this book's first publication, Sylvia Plath took her life (by shoving her head into the oven while the gas was on). I think that this book will be too personal and real for a reader.
Anyways, i will try to read this book and learn!
I just chose this book, because when i was at the library trying to borrow My Sister's Keeper, i saw The Bell Jar and somehow i remembered that the book was on Ms. Faughey's list.
The Bell Jar kind of portrays Sylvia Plath's emotions throughout her childhood (including a mental breakdown and suicide attempt). Ester plays Sylvia Plath who gets a scholarship/internship that brings her to New York, soon she goes back to her hometown and becomes depressed and so on.
I find this book a little scary, because it is said that a month after this book's first publication, Sylvia Plath took her life (by shoving her head into the oven while the gas was on). I think that this book will be too personal and real for a reader.
Anyways, i will try to read this book and learn!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
pg 300-423
I loved this book, i was very suprised by the ending though.
After i finished this book, i thought to myself, wow...the author is very mean.
I thought this -spoiler- because the author killed off her main character (through a car accident), when her whole family (Anna's family) expected Kate to die.
But at the end, Kate is alive (because of Anna's kidney, that was donated with other organs when she was brain dead).
I was happy to see that things worked out between Campbell and Julia (they got married).
Also i found out that Campbell's dog was a seizure dog (after Campbell got into a car accident he got seizures randomly)
Overall i loved this book!
Some things i was confused of:
- Did Kate really want to die? (like what Anna said during court)
- Did Kate live a long life?
- How did Anna's death effect the family? (How did Jesse become a police, when he was so
different before Anna's death)
- How did Sara and Brian (Anna's parent) cope with Anna's death?
After i finished this book, i thought to myself, wow...the author is very mean.
I thought this -spoiler- because the author killed off her main character (through a car accident), when her whole family (Anna's family) expected Kate to die.
But at the end, Kate is alive (because of Anna's kidney, that was donated with other organs when she was brain dead).
I was happy to see that things worked out between Campbell and Julia (they got married).
Also i found out that Campbell's dog was a seizure dog (after Campbell got into a car accident he got seizures randomly)
Overall i loved this book!
Some things i was confused of:
- Did Kate really want to die? (like what Anna said during court)
- Did Kate live a long life?
- How did Anna's death effect the family? (How did Jesse become a police, when he was so
different before Anna's death)
- How did Sara and Brian (Anna's parent) cope with Anna's death?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
pg 200-300
I loved reading pages 200-300. The book is a real page turner! Jodi Pilcout is telling bits and bits of Julia's and Campbell's "love history" and still talking about Anna's case. I am rooting for Julia and Campbell, but i don't understand why Campbell left Julia (did he leave her because of his parents?). Anna on the otherhand, now lives with her father (at the fire station). Also her father said that he will be on Anna's side (against his wife) during the case. While reading these pages, I feel the same way about Sara as i did in the beginning. I know what struggle Sara is going through, but i feel that she should be more equal towards her children. For example, she definitely gave up on Jesse (Jesse now smokes, drinks, steals cars and lights up abandoned buildings) and she basically forces Anna to give blood to Kate (like when Anna wanted to go to a camp for ice hockey (goalie), Sara doesn't want Anna to attend there (even if she has a full scholarship) because Sara is worrying about Kate (what if Kate needs more blood? What if Kate gets sick again?...). I can't wait to read the next hundred pages.
Some questions i have:
-What is the real reason of Judge (Campbell's dog)?
-What happened between Julia and Campbell?
-Is Anna going to win the case?
-Is Kate going die?
-What is going to happen to Jesse?
-Is Anna's family going to be ever 'normal'?
Some questions i have:
-What is the real reason of Judge (Campbell's dog)?
-What happened between Julia and Campbell?
-Is Anna going to win the case?
-Is Kate going die?
-What is going to happen to Jesse?
-Is Anna's family going to be ever 'normal'?
pg 100-200
These 100 pages i read, told me more about Julia (Anna's "guider") and Campbell Alexander (Anna's lawyer). Reading about Julia and Campbell, another story is added to the book. Campbell and Julia knew each other when they were younger, but something happened and after 17 years (?) they are now working on Anna's case together. I liked that Jodi Pilcout added another story. The book is now turning very interesting.
Anna is still not giving up her case. At times i don't understand why Anna just doesn't give up (though I believe she made the right decision to keep on going). Anna is never sure that she wants to sue her parents. For example, Anna tells some people (her mom) that she will give up the case, but then she tells her lawyer and other people that she will not quit (at times in the book I am curious of what she is thinking).
Anna is still not giving up her case. At times i don't understand why Anna just doesn't give up (though I believe she made the right decision to keep on going). Anna is never sure that she wants to sue her parents. For example, Anna tells some people (her mom) that she will give up the case, but then she tells her lawyer and other people that she will not quit (at times in the book I am curious of what she is thinking).
Saturday, March 1, 2008
pg 1-100
I wasn't sure if I was supposed to start the 100 page homework this week, but here it is!!
PG 1-100
During the first pages of the book, I learn about Anna's childhood and her family.
Anna was basically 'made' by her parents (they go to a special doctor where they can choose the DNA), so that she could help her older sister, Kate (who has leukemia).
In the book, Anna is not the only person who narrates but different characters each tell their own story. While i was reading in Anna's perspective, i read how she felt used, and the fact that she didn't like supporting her sisters (by doing blood transfusion, platelets, bone marrow...). Anna loves her family, but she feels unloved and she feels that if Kate wasn't sick, she wouldn't be alive (for the main reason of her birth was to help Kate), and so Anna finds a lawyer to sue her parents because she is sick of giving parts of herself to Kate (without being asked). Though Anna feels sad that she has to go as far as suing her parents, she can't take it anymore.
While reading from Sarah's perspective (Anna's, Kate's and Jesse's mother), i actually started to dislike Sarah. The main reason that started my dislike, was how selfish she was. I understand that Sarah wanted to save Kate, but she went too far in using Anna. For example, while Sarah was 9 months pregnant with Anna, she was at a salon, coincidentally there were 2 other pregnant women there. So the three pregnant women are talking, and one of the ladies sitting next to Sarah asks her what name she will name the child. Sarah bluntly answers that she doesn't know and that she is going to wait. When i interpreted this, it was like Sarah didn't care anything of her new baby, she just cared that her Kate was going to live! Sarah was NINE MONTHS pregnant and yet she never even thought about a name. Also another example was when Sarah said her favorite date was the 31, because that was when the baby was going to be born, and the sooner the baby is born the quicker Kate can get treatment. Also when Sarah gets the news that Anna is suing her, Sarah attacks Anna, asking Anna why she would want to kill her sister. Though my examples may seem somewhat exaggerated, after reading the first 100 pages, these are the things that i found.
In the other character's perpective (Brian [the father of Anna, Jesse, Kate], Kate, Campbell Alexander [lawyer for Anna] and Jesse [Anna's and Kate's brother]), i learn more about the family's situation. I am liking Brian at the moment. I believe that Brian has good intentions for his whole family, he seems like he wants to pay attention to all his children. For example, Brian was the one who noticed about the locket that was gone from Anna's neck (she never took the locket off). Also when Brian found out that Anna was suing him, he didn't attack her but kind of supported her decision. Kate is Anna's sister who was diagnosed with leukemia (a rare form). Kate was in and out of the hospital since 3 years old, and she is the main reason for Anna's existence. When i hear Sarah talking to or about Kate, i seem to dislike Kate a little, because she gets a lot of attention from her parents (though its not Kate's fault she is sick), a little too much that the other children feels left out. Jesse is just the older brother of Kate and Anna. His actions are reckless ( i believe that Jesse is the one who keeps on starting the random fires), Jesse smokes and always disobeys his parents.
These are some information i have discovered by reading the first 100 pages!!
PG 1-100
During the first pages of the book, I learn about Anna's childhood and her family.
Anna was basically 'made' by her parents (they go to a special doctor where they can choose the DNA), so that she could help her older sister, Kate (who has leukemia).
In the book, Anna is not the only person who narrates but different characters each tell their own story. While i was reading in Anna's perspective, i read how she felt used, and the fact that she didn't like supporting her sisters (by doing blood transfusion, platelets, bone marrow...). Anna loves her family, but she feels unloved and she feels that if Kate wasn't sick, she wouldn't be alive (for the main reason of her birth was to help Kate), and so Anna finds a lawyer to sue her parents because she is sick of giving parts of herself to Kate (without being asked). Though Anna feels sad that she has to go as far as suing her parents, she can't take it anymore.
While reading from Sarah's perspective (Anna's, Kate's and Jesse's mother), i actually started to dislike Sarah. The main reason that started my dislike, was how selfish she was. I understand that Sarah wanted to save Kate, but she went too far in using Anna. For example, while Sarah was 9 months pregnant with Anna, she was at a salon, coincidentally there were 2 other pregnant women there. So the three pregnant women are talking, and one of the ladies sitting next to Sarah asks her what name she will name the child. Sarah bluntly answers that she doesn't know and that she is going to wait. When i interpreted this, it was like Sarah didn't care anything of her new baby, she just cared that her Kate was going to live! Sarah was NINE MONTHS pregnant and yet she never even thought about a name. Also another example was when Sarah said her favorite date was the 31, because that was when the baby was going to be born, and the sooner the baby is born the quicker Kate can get treatment. Also when Sarah gets the news that Anna is suing her, Sarah attacks Anna, asking Anna why she would want to kill her sister. Though my examples may seem somewhat exaggerated, after reading the first 100 pages, these are the things that i found.
In the other character's perpective (Brian [the father of Anna, Jesse, Kate], Kate, Campbell Alexander [lawyer for Anna] and Jesse [Anna's and Kate's brother]), i learn more about the family's situation. I am liking Brian at the moment. I believe that Brian has good intentions for his whole family, he seems like he wants to pay attention to all his children. For example, Brian was the one who noticed about the locket that was gone from Anna's neck (she never took the locket off). Also when Brian found out that Anna was suing him, he didn't attack her but kind of supported her decision. Kate is Anna's sister who was diagnosed with leukemia (a rare form). Kate was in and out of the hospital since 3 years old, and she is the main reason for Anna's existence. When i hear Sarah talking to or about Kate, i seem to dislike Kate a little, because she gets a lot of attention from her parents (though its not Kate's fault she is sick), a little too much that the other children feels left out. Jesse is just the older brother of Kate and Anna. His actions are reckless ( i believe that Jesse is the one who keeps on starting the random fires), Jesse smokes and always disobeys his parents.
These are some information i have discovered by reading the first 100 pages!!
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