Literature Review

[standalonehuman]

Hitori Togusa shared a photo. 8/11 near Apprassage

Catcher in the Rye, in English. Retrospec sent me this one a while back, but I had to read this thing in high school. World lit. Hated it then, but apparently it's important now. It bothers me that I'm starting to understand it on a re-read. Holden has absolutely everything going for him, but chooses to try as hard as he can to not engage with society around him. Back in high school, I thought it was just a morality tale, a spook story for kids, scare them into figuring their lives out or turn out like him. And then we all get dropped into a situation where it would be so easy to do exactly what Holden wishes he could. To decide that this life doesn't matter, and turn yourself deaf-mute to the implications. But even that wouldn't get him what it wants, would it? Question one is, what keeps you going? Keeps you paying attention to the world around you? Second question comes back to Retrospec's latest game. Anybody else get a jigsaw puzzle? "Turn him to any cause of policy, the Gordian Knot of it he will unloose, familiar as his garter." Henry V, Act 1 Scene 1. The Archbishop describing how much Henry has changed as soon as he had to take the throne, going from a layabout of a prince to a sharp statesman of a king. It's really just a framing scene, telling the audience about the time that passed between plays. Odd quote to pull out. So the last question is, what does that mean to anybody else?

Comments

[thesettingsun]

Good to know other people hated that book in school. Also that cover sucks?

To answer question one: even if it's hard to engage with society right now, the people around me still matter. There's too many people I'd disappoint if I decided 'none of this matters I'm going to stop trying'.

Question two: maybe it's something about our problem-solving skills getting better? Which, speaking as someone who's had the app for over a year, I don't think is actually true.

[diamant]

i was always fond of catcher in the rye actually
but i understand why it isn't for everyone

i only have an answer to your first question so far
i tried very hard to shut the world out for a long time
but in the end that didn't help make my pain go away
so i decided my life was going to be beautiful instead
so beautiful it'll burn your eyes out
and you can't have that without awareness of the world
so i guess i need that in order to live as i want to live
even if that means accepting the bad things along with the good
there's beauty to be found in terrible things too

[floret]

Is that really what Catcher in the Rye is about? I thought it was about Holden, like, spiraling downward into a mental breakdown under the pressure of his horrible depression and unprocessed grief and disastrously failed attempts to connect with others.

You're supposed to cut the Gordian knot, I thought.

[hauntedsavior]

Not especially odd.

Which is a wonder how his Grace should glean it,
Since his addiction was to courses vain,
His companies unlettered, rude, and shallow,
His hours filled up with riots, banquets, sports,
And never noted in him any study,
Any retirement, any sequestration
From open haunts and popularity.

I am far from a Shakespearean scholar, but do the Archbishop's words not strike you as incredulous here? A great change has occurred and none are sure how or when it happened. Henry V once behaved in one distinct way and transformed into what appears to be a completely different person overnight.

[ingodswelove]

Eirian wonders if the Catcher in the Rye would make a good play?

Anyway!

Eirian really likes attention! That keeps me going! ^-^ People are great. But just getting to be friendly with them, and make them smile, it means alot to Eirian.

[And Eirian is so excited by the last part, that he forgets to answer the second question.]

AHH!! Henry V! To Eirian, this line means that Henry is capable, and able to resolve things as easily with the knowledge as if they were the back of his hand. ^-^ Do you love plays? I recommend them. Henry V is particularly fun.

[destiny_key]

we didnt have to read that one
i think maybe our teacher didnt like it either lol
we read of mice and men instead

also did someone draw on the cover???

[dulynoted]

I was under the impression most considered it an overrated classic.

Truthfully, I think most of us has have become somewhat numb to the situation at hand. Even the most vigilant get used to it. Is it a symptom of the adaptability of humanity? Or are we all just complacent and resigned to our fates? It's hard to tell.

[dornen_kiste]

You always ask the hard questions, don't you, Mr. Togusa?