Books Bunch Of Phonies Mourn J.D. Salinger - Page 3

Taco John · 01-29-2010, 12:43 AM

Bunch Of Phonies Mourn J.D. Salinger

January 28, 2010

CORNISH, NH—In this big dramatic production that didn't do anyone any good (and was pretty embarrassing, really, if you think about it), thousands upon thousands of phonies across the country mourned the death of author J.D. Salinger, who was 91 years old for crying out loud. "He had a real impact on the literary world and on millions of readers," said hot-shot English professor David Clarke, who is just like the rest of them, and even works at one of those crumby schools that rich people send their kids to so they don't have to look at them for four years. "There will never be another voice like his." Which is exactly the lousy kind of goddamn thing that people say, because really it could mean lots of things, or nothing at all even, and it's just a perfect example of why you should never tell anybody anything.

Source

teedubya · 01-29-2010, 03:50 PM

LEAVE JD ALONE!!!!!

http://mobilelocalsocial.com/2010/01/leave-jd-alone/

ziggysocki · 01-29-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

I didn't try to relate to him. I just observed him in his hilarious glory. Holden is a real piece of work.

Really? Wow... every time he opened his mouth, I just wanted him to shut up. He is one of the very few types of people that I can't get along with at all and just try to avoid. I call them the 'poor me's'. Everything is always everyone elses fault... makes me want to puke.

Jenson71 · 01-29-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

"Catcher in the Rye" was great. I read it in high school based on a teacher's suggestion. Before that, I hated reading. I remember telling the teacher I liked it and he then handed me Kerouac's "On the Road" I then discovered a lifelong love for reading thanks to a high school teacher.

Exactly. It's a good starting book. It should lead to much better things for a reader. You had a good teacher.

**DeezNutz** · 01-29-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenson71

Exactly. It's a good starting book. It should lead to much better things for a reader.

Why? It stands on its own merits as one of the best American novels of the 20th century.

Too often people make the mistake of labeling a text with a young protagonist as children's or young adult literature. Huck Finn being a classic example.

Jenson71 · 01-29-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Why? It stands on its own merits as one of the best American novels of the 20th century.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think it's an easy read for middle school - early high school students. It doesn't really challenge any readers' already present feelings and emotions. It's mostly, as has been noted, something a student can say "hey I sort of relate to this kid." Now what? I mean, it's not bad. But "one of the best American novels of the 20th century?" What's that mean? Top 10? Top 1000?

**DeezNutz** · 01-29-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenson71

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think it's an easy read for middle school - early high school students. It doesn't really challenge any readers' already present feelings and emotions. It's mostly, as has been noted, something a student can say "hey I sort of relate to this kid." Now what? I mean, it's not bad. But "one of the best American novels of the 20th century?" What's that mean? Top 10? Top 1000?

But that's the ubiquitous question that anyone from the dullard to the budding intellectual can ask about any text.

And I completely disagree that it doesn't challenge a reader's feelings or emotions. Holden is a character who can make many feel uncomfortable, and this is the first step to improving critical thinking skills.

What's that mean? It's one of the defining American novels of the century. I'm not going to impose an artificial number.

Jenson71 · 01-29-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

But that's the ubiquitous question that anyone from the dullard to the budding intellectual can ask about any text.

And I completely disagree that it doesn't challenge a reader's feelings or emotions. Holden is a character who can make many feel uncomfortable, and this is the first step to improving critical thinking skills.

What's that mean? It's one of the defining American novels of the century. I'm not going to impose an artificial number.

I might agree that it's a defining American novel of the century. One of the most challenged, and one of the most read. Okay, I don't want to sound like a hater. Because that's not what I am.

NewChief · 01-29-2010, 07:56 PM

The themes prevalent in Salinger's work are under appreciated in this thread. The destruction of innocence due to trauma (as Salinger experienced during the war). The attempt to preserve innocence by those who recognize that they're slowing losing their own. The slow destruction of the pure spark of youth. All of those are very real, deep parts of the human experience. While Holden might be "annoying" at times, the themes in the work are deep and important, imo. They're especially important as a backlash of the glorification of the "greatest generation." Yes, they were the greatest generation... but there is a dark side to that great generation as well.

**Saul Good** · 01-29-2010, 08:22 PM

Hasn't it been reported that an abnormally high percentage of serial killers were big fans of Catcher?

**CosmicPal** · 01-29-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Hasn't it been reported that an abnormally high percentage of serial killers were big fans of Catcher?

Mark David Chapman and some other lone killer both read the book just before their killers. Neither of them were serial killers though. One killed John Lennon and the other tried to kill Reagan I believe it was.

**CosmicPal** · 01-29-2010, 09:46 PM

I think a lot of people are hating on the book for the wrong reasons. It is considered a masterpiece of 'coming-of-age' literature for several reasons and the most underlying reason is that it evokes teen angst in a very compelling way.

Holden lost his younger brother to a disease and felt helpless because he couldn't do anything about it, so he wants to become the 'catcher in the rye' to save kids from going over the side of the cliff. It was something he couldn't do with his younger brother- save him. This manifests anger and resentment at the establishment which he mostly refers to as 'phonies' throughout the novel.

It is the most recognizable 'coming-of-age' novel and deservedly so. Holden might come off as a foul-mouthed teenager to some, but it was that sheer honesty that made him a rich protagonist. If you're a teenager trying to find your way in this 'phony' world, it is a novel of great magnitude. Otherwise, it is just pure dribble to you.

I'm glad a high-school teacher suggested and "made" me read it. 'Cause otherwise, I wouldn't have discovered a love for reading and writing and conveying my most inner needs. When a book can do that, it's a worthy read.

01-29-2010, 12:43 AM
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $427937	Bunch Of Phonies Mourn J.D. Salinger Bunch Of Phonies Mourn J.D. Salinger January 28, 2010 CORNISH, NH—In this big dramatic production that didn't do anyone any good (and was pretty embarrassing, really, if you think about it), thousands upon thousands of phonies across the country mourned the death of author J.D. Salinger, who was 91 years old for crying out loud. "He had a real impact on the literary world and on millions of readers," said hot-shot English professor David Clarke, who is just like the rest of them, and even works at one of those crumby schools that rich people send their kids to so they don't have to look at them for four years. "There will never be another voice like his." Which is exactly the lousy kind of goddamn thing that people say, because really it could mean lots of things, or nothing at all even, and it's just a perfect example of why you should never tell anybody anything. Source
Posts: 79,768

01-29-2010, 03:50 PM	#31
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $8993042	LEAVE JD ALONE!!!!! http://mobilelocalsocial.com/2010/01/leave-jd-alone/
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01-29-2010, 07:56 PM	#38
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7080204	The themes prevalent in Salinger's work are under appreciated in this thread. The destruction of innocence due to trauma (as Salinger experienced during the war). The attempt to preserve innocence by those who recognize that they're slowing losing their own. The slow destruction of the pure spark of youth. All of those are very real, deep parts of the human experience. While Holden might be "annoying" at times, the themes in the work are deep and important, imo. They're especially important as a backlash of the glorification of the "greatest generation." Yes, they were the greatest generation... but there is a dark side to that great generation as well. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,845

01-29-2010, 08:22 PM	#39
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	Hasn't it been reported that an abnormally high percentage of serial killers were big fans of Catcher? __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
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01-29-2010, 09:46 PM	#41
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	I think a lot of people are hating on the book for the wrong reasons. It is considered a masterpiece of 'coming-of-age' literature for several reasons and the most underlying reason is that it evokes teen angst in a very compelling way. Holden lost his younger brother to a disease and felt helpless because he couldn't do anything about it, so he wants to become the 'catcher in the rye' to save kids from going over the side of the cliff. It was something he couldn't do with his younger brother- save him. This manifests anger and resentment at the establishment which he mostly refers to as 'phonies' throughout the novel. It is the most recognizable 'coming-of-age' novel and deservedly so. Holden might come off as a foul-mouthed teenager to some, but it was that sheer honesty that made him a rich protagonist. If you're a teenager trying to find your way in this 'phony' world, it is a novel of great magnitude. Otherwise, it is just pure dribble to you. I'm glad a high-school teacher suggested and "made" me read it. 'Cause otherwise, I wouldn't have discovered a love for reading and writing and conveying my most inner needs. When a book can do that, it's a worthy read. __________________ - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - Four blessings upon my fellow planeteers: Older whiskey, younger women, faster horses, and more money.
Posts: 10,840