Holden is who he is because of the life experiences he has had. How we react to our own circumstances defines who we are. Many experiences, such as his brother’s death, were defining moments in his life. Think of the moments in your life that have most impacted you and therefore formed your opinions. Could you describe the moments and, more importantly, their significance in your life?
Create a flapbook containing 5 maxims that mean something to you personally. Explain how you connected with Holden, or why you disagree with Holden's opinions because of your own personal experience. Use a personal story to back up how you can or can't relate.
Holden wants to be the Catcher in the Rye. Who do you want to be? Make that your cover title.
Padlet of maxims to get you thinking: https://padlet.com/crystal_hofmann/ncxtkkaozi2b
A maxim is a short, wise saying expressing some fundamental principle or truth about life, often intending to advise a recommended course of conduct, such as “Good things come to those who wait.”
Although he often appears to be talking about nothing and repeats himself a lot, Holden Caulfield actually expresses many strong opinions throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye that could be summed up as maxims.
1. For each chapter, write a maxim concisely expressing something Holden is trying to say about life in general. It does not have to be an already well-known saying or cliché, but should be broad enough to apply to anyone, anywhere.
2. Support each maxim with at least one incident from the chapter (evidence).
Example:
In chapter one, Holden expresses the idea that everyone has value. For example, when he speaks of the headmaster's daughter, he describes her as "a nice girl... she had a big nose and her nails were all bitten down and bleedy-looking... but she didn't give you a lot of horse manure about what a great guy her father was" (Salinger 3). Holden acknowledges that although she is not perceived as attractive, she is nice and not fake. This shows Holden values qualities in others that are not aesthetic but intrinsic and genuine.