Comparisons: CITR vs. Black Boy

Both books are about boys growing into maturity, but in CITR, the character seems as if he refuses to grow up. Holden is wondering through the whole book in a haze, and never really getting anywhere. On the other hand, Richard keeps striving for more and more until he can rise up from the darkness of his childhood. Holden, near the end reaches the height of his anxiety, and collapses, and says, "Don't tell anyone anything. If you do, you'll start missing everybody" (75 Salinger). This is almost like him saying that if you do more that means more you'll be hurt.

CITR: Problems of Confrontation

IifIn Catcher in the Rye, it has a overwhelming message of lost opportunities due to the fear of confrontation. Holden always thinks about doing something, but then strays from it. For example, he "oughta go down and say hello to her, at least" (42 Salinger), but he strays from this idea due to his fear of confrontation and having a negative outcome. This happens quite often, and he later wonders more about Jane. He basically goes through this whole first part of the story in a fashion that allows him to not confront himself even. The writing style shows how he doesn't talk much about his feelings, but more his criticism of things. Instead of talking about his past, most of his words concentrate on his current environment showing his unwillingness to look into his past. This is well emphasized by the author's possible intention to not fully develop the side characters, so that we can feel the pain Holden is in when he regrets not doing something.

Catcher In the Rye: At first glance....

The book is made up of quite a few colorful characters so far. It seems very interesting, and everything is openly expressed unlike other books. Holden is the main character, and constantly yells out his inner thoughts. For example, the author clearly states, "He said he talked to Jesus all the time. That killed me" (23), instead of letting us deduce from dialogue. Although it does make sense that Holden's thoughts are expressed since he writes about himself. Holden is a very straightforward person who seems very objective, but then he thinks of others feelings too. He compares and contrasts Stradlater and Ackley. He thinks lowly of Ackley saying "I never once saw him brush his teeth. They were always mossy and awful. I wasn't too crazy about him to tell you the truth" (26). Ackley seems like one of those guys who just keeps on annoying someone, and you don't want to hurt him by openly telling him to leave. On the other hand, there is Stradlater, Holden's roommate, who seems to be the handsome and popular one. In Holden's point of view, Stradlater seems cocky.

My Feelings on: Memoirs

Why do people write memoirs?
What power is there in telling our own stories?

There are probably many reasons why people write memoirs. Maybe they do so to reminisce about a simpler time in life, or to analyze a problem in the past to help them move forward. In a memoir, we can think about how we felt and acted at the time of the event we write about, not just saying, "Oh yeah...I remember that." I feel that I write memoirs, so people to get to know me more through my eyes, maybe even sprinkle a little pizazz onto it. Also, I don't really like structure, but feel I am more the kind to go with the flow. Cross the bridge when it comes if you will. Basically any type of writing besides structured writing is cool for me.

Every one's story is unique even when talking about the same topic. Sometimes people are naive and think that the whole world is one safe little bubble where everyone is nice. Obviously, Black Boy, opened us to a world that shows horrible violence, and a world that some of us didn't know existed. Memoirs can open our eyes into new worlds. It is different when we read first hand accounts as opposed to some professor's documents. A memoirs is personal and has a voice.

2nd Post on BB - What types of things does Richard "hunger" for

Q:What types of things does Richard "hunger" for
and what are the effects (positive and negative) of hunger?

Richard seems to have a life that really employs the cold, hard truth of how one must care for oneself or no one else. He hungers many things, but his family is either unable to purge his hunger or unwilling to. His mom tries, but she "suffers yet another stroke of paralysis and again I had to watch her suffer, listen to her groans, powerless to help" (Wright 156). He hungers for belonging that he has never been able to achieve, even among the closest of his family. He also hungers for food, which to him seems to be a luxury, not just survival. He even hid food so he'd have "a bulwark against any possible attack of hunger" (Wright 50). His hungers make him strive for more than others would. His hunger for food and belonging leads him to getting jobs bringing more of the horizon into view. His hunger also for a peaceful family never does come to him, but he is able to stop their physical abuse towards by fighting back.