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October 3, 2009
Catcher in the Rye
As with your Summer reading assignment, you are required to read J. D. Salinger’s iconic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, pick 4 quotations that strike you as interesting in some way or another and discuss them in the comment section. You are then required to respond to 1 writing prompt listed below (and complete answers will consist of several well-written paragraphs). Finally, you must respond to 2 of your peers responses, being sure to name them in your response so we all know who you’re responding to.
(And for those of you who feel this is too much work, you’ll be happy to know that I’ll be doing all the same postings as you!)
Writing Prompts (from SparkNotes):
1. Think about Holden’s vision of the nature of childhood and adulthood. Are the two realms as separate as Holden believes them to be? Where does he fit in?
2. The novel is structured around Holden’s encounters and interactions with other people. Does any pattern seem to emerge, or does anything change in his interactions as the novel progresses? How do Holden’s encounters with adults, children, women, and his peers evolve as the novel progresses?
3. Throughout the book, Holden longs for intimacy with other human beings. Discuss the different types of relationships Holden attempts and the different types of intimacy in the book. What is the role of sexuality in The Catcher in the Rye? How do Holden’s sexual relationships differ from his nonsexual encounters?
4. The most ambiguous encounter in the book is Holden’s night at Mr. Antolini’s apartment. What do you make of Mr. Antolini’s actions? Was he making a pass at Holden? What is the significance of his actions, and how do they relate to his role as someone trying to prevent Holden from “taking a fall”?
5. Holden often behaves like a prophet or a saint, pointing out the phoniness and wickedness in the world around him. Is Holden as perfect as he wants to be? Are there instances where he is phony and full of hypocrisy? What do these moments reveal about his character and his psychological problems?
September 10, 2009
Introduction to The Writer’s Presence
And we’re off!! No turning back now, kids — we’re on our way to graduation and college thereafter. Still a few months to go, mind you, but you’re going to make it just fine. As long as you keep up with your class readings and writing, that is…
Share your thoughts and show me that you’ve read.
September 10, 2009
“On Keeping a Notebook” by Joan Didion
From her book Slouching Towards Bethlehem.
September 10, 2009
“Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris
From his book of short stories by the same name. 
June 11, 2009
College Bridge Summer Reading: Brave New World
From the back of the book:
“Aldous Huxley’s tour de force, Brave New World is a darkly satiric vision of a “utopian” future — where humans are genetically bred and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively serve a ruling order. A powerful work of speculative fiction that has enthralled and terrified readers for generations, it remains remarkably relelvant to this day as both a warning to be heeded as we head into tomorrow and as thoguht-provoking, satisfying entertainment.”
Writing Prompts (respond to 2 prompts along with your 5 self-directed responses and 2 peer responses):
1. Bernard is criticized by the Director for not acting “infantile” enough. Discuss how and why the World State infantilizes its citizens.
2. Discuss the relation between the sexes in the World State. How do men and women interact? Who holds the power in social situations, in the workplace, and in the government?
3. In what ways does the World State treat people like commodities?
4. Discuss the relationship between science, religion, and political power in the World State.
5. What are Mustapha Mond’s arguments against freedom? Is there any validity to them? Do you think there is a “winner” of his debate with John?
6. It seems undeniable that most World State members are happy, though people like John, Bernard, and Helmholtz might criticize the quality of their lives. What, then, is wrong with World State society? Discuss the relationship between truth and happiness, and the use of soma?
7. Is John really more free than the World State members? How is he conditioned in his own way?
8. How are the castes distinguished from each other? What is their purpose? Do you think they reflect any aspect of contemporary society or are they simply a hypothetical consequence of a society like the World State?
June 11, 2009
College Bridge Summer Reading: 1984
From the back of the Signet Classic edition:
“The year 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell’s 1949 prophetic, nightmare visiton of the world we were becoming is timelier than ever. It is still the great modern classic of “Negative Utopia” — a startling original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is coompletely convincing, from the first sentence to the last four words. No one can deny this novel’s hold on the imaginations of entire generations, or the power of its admonitions — a power that seems to grow, not lessen, witht he passage of time. ”
Writing Prompts (respond to 2, along with your 5 self-directed responses and 2 peer responses):
1. 1984 is full of images and ideas that do not directly affect the plot, but nevertheless attain thematic importance. What are some of these symbols and motifs, and how does Orwell use them?
2. Discuss the idea of doublethink. How important is doublethink to the Party’s control of Oceania? How important is it to Winston’s brainwashing?
3. Describe Julia’s character as it relates to Winston. How is she different from him? How is she similar to him? How does Julia’s age make her attitude toward the Party very different from Winston’s?
4. Describe Winston’s character as it relates to his attitude toward the Party. In what ways might his fatalistic streak contribute to his ultimate downfall?
5. How does technology affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology throughout the book?
6. Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place where everyone meets his or her worst fear. Keeping in mind that for most of Winston’s time at the Ministry of Love, he does not know what he will find in Room 101, what role does that uncertainty play in making Room 101 frightening? Does the cage of rats break Winston’s spirit, or does it merely play a symbolic role?
7. What role does Big Brother play within the novel? What effect does he have on Winston? Is Winston’s obsession with Big Brother fundamentally similar to or different from his obsession with O’Brien?
(from SparkNotes)
