Aim: How does Salinger utilize characterization to reveal the theme of adolescence?

Do Now: Please read the following lyrics and answer the questions that follow:

•Identify the theme of the song. What message does it try to deliver?

•Who is the target audience of this song?•What does this suggest about the mentality/

current state of the target audience?

Please take out your agenda

• Please finish reading chapter 3 and complete worksheet if not done so in class

Do Now Review • Identify the theme of the song. What message

does it work to deliver?

• Who is the target audience of this song? • What does this suggest about the

mentality/current state of the target audience?

Unfortunately, no one is this room is a stranger to obstacles of adolescence and the

challenges they bring. These obstacles and challenges are actually a major theme within the work Catcher in the Rye. Today, we are

going to examine how Salinger uses characterization to reveal the theme of

adolescence.

As we read, please answer the following questions:

• Describe Ackley’s physical appearance.

• How does he exemplify one of the major concerns of adolescence?

• Why does he irritate Holden?

• How does Holden treat Ackely?

He is very tall with lousy teeth. In addition he has pimples “all over his whole face.”

He exemplifies the adolescent concern of appearance, especially regarding hygiene (pimples, breath, etc.)

He irritates Holden all the time. Holden is especially bothered when he picks upThe picture of Sally Hayes and doesn’t put it back in the right spot and when he Interrupts his reading.

Holden doesn’t treat Ackely very well. He is sarcastic with him and comments that he should brush his teeth. On the other hand, he tries to joke around with Ackley and continues the conversation even though he says he doesn’t want him to be there.

• Identify the ways in which the characters are more similar than Holden thinks.

• Describe Holden’s attitude towards adolescence based on what we learn in this scene.

• Thus far in the novel, how is adolescence presented?

• How does Holden’s view of adolescence compare to your own view?

Both characters seem to have trouble relating to others. They are both the only Ones that didn’t go watch the game. In addition, they both detest Stradlater.

In this chapter we learn Holden views adolescence as a time whereAppearance is important. He comments on Ackley’s pimples and teethAnd also compliments his build.

Thus far, adolescence is presented as a stressful time. Holden has stress at school (even though in a way he doesn’t feel it), trouble relating to others and focuses (obsesses) over the physical changes (pimples) associated with this life stage.

Summary

Answer the Aim! How does Ackley’s characterization help the reader understand

the theme of adolescence in the novel?