Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Chapters 4-5

I read Chapters 4 and 5 of The Catcher in the Rye today. Before today I didn't really know what to feel about Holden; I didn't have much of a connection, and I couldn't really tell what his reasons were for the way he was, or what could have happened; So, I guess I felt judgment. In Chapter 5 we find out that his younger brother, Allie, died when Holden was 13. Before, I didn't really know what to feel, but now that I know about this tragic event that happened to him, I feel sympathy. I feel really bad for him, I can't say I feel empathy because I have never had a sibling or anyone really close to me die. I have not felt that kind of sorrow, and I couldn't imagine what would happen to me (or anyone) in that situation. Holden talks about how good his brother acted and did in everything. I can tell he misses him, and I maybe think this is why he doesn't let himself get too close to other people, because he doesn't want to feel pain when he or they leave, or something happens to them.
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4 comments:

  1. Ashley JorgensenApril 15, 2009 at 6:18 PM

    Ah-ha! Chapter five is one of my favorites. I like your connection about Holden's resistance to let anyone in. Perhaps this is why he seeks closure, or a feeling of 'good-by' when he leaves places. We'll talk more about this tomorrow!

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  2. AnonymousApril 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM

    Sarah,
    This is great! I kind of feel the same way. I think Allie is some of the reason that Holden acts the way he does. I hope that in the rest of the book Holden tells us more about Allie and their realtionship!

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  3. Rae ChiliApril 18, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    I agree with the empathy thing, i can easily imagine the pain he has for the loss of his brother, but it is difficult to truly empathize when you haven't really experienced something quite so traumatizing.

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  4. MastermindApril 25, 2009 at 1:30 PM

    This is going to sound kind of dark but considering my last post was about suicide i don't feel to bad.
    I think people over emphazie the importance of live. If one of my friends or brothers died i don't think i would really care deep down inside. I wouldn't know why and i would hate myself for it but i wouldn't care. I would tell everyone it was terible and maybe force myself to cry but that wouldn't change the fact that i wouldn't care. This is exactly how i felt when my grampa died. I miss his company but i still don't feel to straongly about it.
    (I might just be saying all of this because i have a really bad head ach and can't think straght :P)

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