Exploring Identity and Belonging in "The Catcher in the Rye": A Deep Dive into Themes

1. CATCHER IN THE RYE SECTION B: WRITING IN CONTEXT IDENTITY AND BELONGING

2. EXAM REQUIREMENTS • Read and digest the prompt VERY carefully • Answer this section last • Possibly an image • Definitely NOT under 2 pages, aim for 3-4.

3. HOW TO SCORE A 9/10 • Demonstrates an insightful grasp of the implications of the prompt, and perceptively explores its conceptual complexity using an appropriate strategy for dealing with it. • Achieves an assured, cohesively structured piece of writing in an appropriate form, successfully integrating, in a sophisticated way, ideas suggested by the selected text/s. • Makes fluent and effective use of language appropriate to the purpose and audience specified in the task.

4. THE PROMPT… • Is the overall message of your piece, what the piece is REALLY about. • Is worth approx 1/3 of your mark • Should determine what happens in your piece – should control the action, dialogue, discussion topic, investigation, etc. • Should be examined closely for opportunities – no pre-planned content

5. What can I pre-plan? • You might have a pre-considered tone, voice, character or setting • Your form and expression is worth approx 1/3 of your mark • Develop a sophisticated vocabulary list that compliments any of the above that you have pre-planned • Practise your chosen form – pay close attention to specific conventions

6. What do I need to know? • Conventions of your chosen form • How to pull apart a prompt and address it in full • The IDEAS regarding Identity and Belonging that are evident in ‘Catcher’

7. Life is a game * One must play by the rules * Society places expectations on us to ‘become’ someone * There are pre-determined pathways, ‘ordinary’ outlines on how one should live their lives • We all play a roll – and are told to behave according to our allocated roll. • Alienation is a form of self-protection

8. ‘Opting Out’ • Some people purposely detach themselves from these expected rolls and behaviours • This can be dangerous, as one runs the risk of losing their sense of belonging • ‘Opting out’ can be a chance for reflection • It is possible for one to define themselves by what they are not

9. The importance of being true to oneself • Value placed on being ‘true’, as opposed to being ‘phoney’ • The dismissal of those who are boring and insecure • Stereotypes have to be avoided – at a cost • Loneliness and depression are consequences for not adapting to others around you • It is important not to be contradictory or hypocritical

10. Change is inevitable • Change can be cyclical (predictable, seasonal) or unexpected and traumatic • There is beauty, innocence and sadness in memories that don’t change • One must embrace change, or at least acknowledge it, in order to not be left behind

11. Innocence • Innocence is to be savoured and nurtured • Innocence is to be protected above all • There is danger in idealising youth; in creating fantasy to explain it

12. Teenage hood • A time for rebellion • A limbo between childhood and adulthood • A time when mistakes and choices are made • A chance for one to begin to concrete their identity • A time when one is self-conscious • Some may tend to be drawn to stereotypes, safe groups to belong to • A time to ‘play’ adult, to step out of comfort zone, yet still have some safety strings attached • Teenage hood is painful and scary (to be avoided?)

13. Sexual Identity • Youth see sex as a gateway to adulthood • Sexual thoughts can plague an insecure teenage mind • Sexual acts as a determinent for how ‘ready’ one is or isn’t for the adult world • Sex is an adult game • One’s sexual thoughts don’t necessarily equate with their identified values. Eg, HC is disturbed that he can be aroused by someone he doesn’t respect

14. Treatment of the Opposite Sex • HC expectations of the females in his life shows his immaturity and his hypocritical nature (he hates expectations) • HC connects these females’ sexual identity with either his views on their innocence, stupidity or ability to adapt to the adult world

15. Journey of Self Discovery • Independence, while important, is scary and potentially lonely • The Importance of having a literal place in the world • The development of (often staunch) beliefs • True reflection is the ability to confess doubts and fears

16. Trauma • A crisis changes who a person is • The loss of a loved one can prompt questions of purpose • Memories last forever, pain must be dealt with, talked over • HC – brother Allie and suicide of school mate

17. Relationships • The importance of people who don’t judge, instead seek to nurture and teach • Recognition of an individual’s ‘special-ness’ • That others have important advice to offer • We should all learn from the mistakes we make in judging others

18. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER • Planning should take 5 minutes and involve: • FORM – what it looks like • PROMPT – what will happen/ the message • IDEAS – about Identity and Belonging that are evident in the text

19. SUPPORTING IMAGERY • SUPPORTING IMAGERY IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH IDEAS FROM THE TEXT BUT CAN BE USED TO HIGHLIGHT AN IDEA • Eg. A hat, ducks, checkers, museum, carousel, etc

20. PRACTICE PROMPTS • CRISIS – A single event can change who a person is • PLACE – Everyone is a product of their environment • RELATIONSHIPS – The people around you define who you are • BELIEFS – We are categorised by our actions rather than our words