“IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH…” is a reoccurring statement for Holden. He sees himself as a truth-teller, someone who can cut through the social niceties and superficial mores of American culture. This is part of the reason he finds it so difficult to conform the social norms: he sees them as base, valueless, and phony. So where is Holden’s moral center? If he cannot turn to our cultural institutions, to teachers, to adults for guidance, where can he turn? He considers turning to God, talks to Ackley about becoming a monk and thinks of the nuns when he’s reminded of James Castle’s murder. But even these fall short. What, then, does Holden have faith in? What, above all else, does Holden value?

Monday

Taking a closer look at Phoebe and Holden’s relationship. She is the first character that knows Holden well. What do we realize about Holden via this conversation? Why does Holden love about his sister, and what does that reveal about Holden?
HW: Finish working on your reader’s journals: due Wednesday..

Tuesday

Close textual reading of chapter 22: What impact does James Castle’s death have on Holden? We will study his responses to those around him, and how his responses to Phoebe—and the way she reacts to him—reveals a truth about Holden. Finally, we will examine the origins of the novel’s title.
HW: Finish your drawing of Holden’s dream job, uploading it to the shared google folder and renaming the file with your period and last name.

Wednesday

Collecting journals. We will then discuss what this dream job reveals about Holden. Reviewing chapter 23: Why does Holden cry?
HW: Re-read chapter 24. What should the reader make of Mr. Antolini’s actions? Why does Salinger include this passage, having Holden leave his parents’ apartment?

Thursday

Writing a short, narrative in class. Write a short (400‐500 words) personal narrative essay. Like Holden’s memory of the Museum of Natural History, write an essay that describes a place from your childhood. This essay should include sensory details that helps the reader experience being in the place with you, at that time. Some guidelines for this first draft:
- Be precise. Include specific, carefully chosen detail. Instead of “chair,” write “overstuffed loveseat with enormous green cushions”)
- Say more about less. Rather than listing every possible detail, choose details that align with the tone you want to set, and write more about those fewer details.
- Include an implicit claim. In narrative, readers like to draw their own conclusions. Instead of writing, “I loved this place because it reminded me of my Na‐Na, my grandma who was more of a mother to me than my actual mother,” describe the place with details that help the readers draw their own conclusions.
HW: First draft due Monday.

Friday

No class because of early dismissal day.
HW: Finish your essay for class on Monday.