Assignment: As we read JD Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, it will be your responsibility to keep a dialectical (double-entry) journal. The purpose of the dialectical journal is to provide a platform for you to further develop your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. As you complete the dialectical journal it will also become a very useful reference for completing additional assignments and participating in class discussions. It is recommend that you use a spiral notebook for your journal; however, you may also use loose-leaf paper. If use loose-leaf paper you will just need to be more diligent in keeping your journal together and organized. If you choose to use a spiral notebook, devote a whole notebook to this journal – do not combine this work with course material from other classes or even other English assignments. It is expected that you will complete this journal as we read and listen to the novel. Therefore, the majority of this assignment will be completed as classwork.
Grading: The finished journal is worth a total of 125 points. Journals will be checked periodically throughout the reading of the novel and a final score will be awarded at the end of the unit.
Format: The format of a dialectical journal is specific. Make sure you follow this organization so you do not lose points on this assignment:
Grading: The finished journal is worth a total of 125 points. Journals will be checked periodically throughout the reading of the novel and a final score will be awarded at the end of the unit.
Format: The format of a dialectical journal is specific. Make sure you follow this organization so you do not lose points on this assignment:
Your paper should be divided into two columns.
Within the left-hand column, you will record text directly as it appears in the novel along with the page number. If you need to write down more than two sentences, you may use ellipses to indicate that you are leaving out some of the passage you are quoting.
|
Within the right-hand column you must explain the significance of the passage you recorded in the left hand column. Significance is a broad term and it includes a discussion of themes revealed or developed, symbolism, significant insight into a character, an explanation on why the use of a literary device is effective, and/or how the event may influence the plot.
|
Reading Schedule and
Suggested Dialectical Journal Topics
Chapters 1-2 due Friday September 6, 2013
Focus on what you learn about Holden’s character and look for symbols.
Chapters 3-6 due Monday September 9, 2013
Focus on Holden’s relationships and interactions with people. Look for symbols
Chapters 7-9 due Tuesday September 10, 2013
How does Holden see himself as compared to what we can infer about him?
Chapters 10-12 due Wednesday September 11, 2013
Focus on Holden’s loneliness or alienation; his desire to be around people and/or his fear of interactions.
Look for symbols and motifs, what are ideas or actions that keep coming up?
Chapters 13-15 due Thursday September 12, 2013
What is the significance of Holden’s conversation with the Nuns. Compare this to his interaction with Sunny.
Chapters 16-18 due Friday September 13, 2013
How is Holden conflicted when it comes to Societal Expectations and norms?
Phoniness vs. reality. Innocence.
Look for symbols and motifs.
Chapters 19-21 due Monday September 16, 2013
What is Holden’s relationship with Phoebe and the rest of his family? Why does he push people away and try to be surrounded by people at the same time? Why does he spend time with strangers?
Look for symbols and motifs
Chapters 22-23 due Tuesday September 17, 2013
What is the Catcher in the Rye?
Look for symbols and motifs
Chapter 24 due Wednesday September 18, 2013
Examine Holden’s relationship with adults: Conflict between innocence and adulthood. Loss, betrayal.
Chapter 25 and 26 due Thursday September 19, 2013
Does Holden change?
Focus on what you learn about Holden’s character and look for symbols.
Chapters 3-6 due Monday September 9, 2013
Focus on Holden’s relationships and interactions with people. Look for symbols
Chapters 7-9 due Tuesday September 10, 2013
How does Holden see himself as compared to what we can infer about him?
Chapters 10-12 due Wednesday September 11, 2013
Focus on Holden’s loneliness or alienation; his desire to be around people and/or his fear of interactions.
Look for symbols and motifs, what are ideas or actions that keep coming up?
Chapters 13-15 due Thursday September 12, 2013
What is the significance of Holden’s conversation with the Nuns. Compare this to his interaction with Sunny.
Chapters 16-18 due Friday September 13, 2013
How is Holden conflicted when it comes to Societal Expectations and norms?
Phoniness vs. reality. Innocence.
Look for symbols and motifs.
Chapters 19-21 due Monday September 16, 2013
What is Holden’s relationship with Phoebe and the rest of his family? Why does he push people away and try to be surrounded by people at the same time? Why does he spend time with strangers?
Look for symbols and motifs
Chapters 22-23 due Tuesday September 17, 2013
What is the Catcher in the Rye?
Look for symbols and motifs
Chapter 24 due Wednesday September 18, 2013
Examine Holden’s relationship with adults: Conflict between innocence and adulthood. Loss, betrayal.
Chapter 25 and 26 due Thursday September 19, 2013
Does Holden change?