Holden's language

"Catching on to Catcher in the Rye"

lessons on The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Lesson 1: Holdenspeak

Developed by Sandy Scragg
www.sandyscragg.com
Murry Bergtraum High School
New York City, 2002

Right away, we can see that Holden speaks with his own form of language, peppered with expressions and slang of the young in America during the l940s and 50s. Students are curious to know what these slang words mean.

Instructional Objectives: 1) Comprehension of the language used in the novel. 2) Understanding the uses of slang in The Catcher in the Rye as well as in society.

Time Required: 1-2 40 minute class periods

Materials/resources needed: Chapter 1 of The Catcher in the Rye, links & game below

Vocabulary/concepts: slang of the 40s and 50s, expressions Holden uses in the novel, the use of slang by the young

Focus questions/key points: 1) Why does Holden speak in this informal manner? 2) Why has the young in American society always formed their own language and slang? 3) What do many of these "Holden words" mean?

Procedures:

1) After reading a small part of the book (at least most of Chapter 1), ask students if they notice the distincitve way in which Holden speaks and is narrating this novel.

2) Discuss why he is speaking this way; what do you know about him from the way he is talking? (Among other responses, you realize that Holden is young, he is not talking to a teacher or is in a formal setting, he is living in a certain time in history.)

3) In groups, ask students to come up with 5-10 slang words they use frequently and what those slang words mean. Students can consult one of the several online slang dictionaries if they need to obtain a precise translation. (slang dictionary1) (slang dictionary 2)

4) Students will share the slang words and terms. Ask students why they speak in slang. Where and/or how did they learn slang? Do adults have difficulty understanding what you are talking about at times?

5) Read "Flappers to Rappers" which discusses teen use of slang words all throughout the 20th Century. Ask students what slang origins surprised them. Where does the slang they use come from? Why do teenagers use slang?

6) Again in groups, have students go through the different words used by Holden in The Catcher in the Rye as seen on the matching quiz. [Teacher answer key on the bottom of that page.] On the left is the "Holden word" and on the right is a rough definition. Students may again consult a slang dictionary for assistance, or they can find the words used in the novel and determine what they mean by their usage. (slang dictionary1) (slang dictionary 2)

Homework: Students are to come up with their own slang dictionaries for their generation based on their group work and their own input.