ME with Eric Roberts at the comic con my friend invited me too. He rules. “WHat makes you think I wanna hear you talk?” - Salvatore Maroni

Ah Rise Against. You tell me too much about myself. I’m looking for a job and finishing my pointless stats class and this excellent opener reminds me of myself sadly. I’m just kinding going through the days right now. Well, music, movies, and my friends keep me going at least. I hope to get over this stale feeling. Tumlr is I guess my new way to blog. Thanks Paul.

I’ve finished The Great Gatsby and am still a bit puzzled by my own experience. I understand why it’s so well regarded in all literary circles. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a master writer who knew what he wanted to say. However, I didn’t personally relate to this book all that much and don’t see how many other high schoolers in particular would either. It’s a strong read, but still a bit confusing and has so much going on. The presmise is ok but still its about snooty rich people in the 1920s with one man who is writing of the experience from the outside looking in and another who is mysterious and may not have acquired his wealth honestly. That]’s an okay story and Fitzgerald penned it extraordinarily, yet I may agree with my friend Ben Patton on the fact that the copyright and the cheap cost may be a primary reason this is so popular in schools. There are many other great books for adolescents and even adults that may be a much better read for them. I am still happy to have read this classic and now need to come up with an assignment or two. I think a paper on the one aspect of life these people’s lives that affects them the most and why. I believe it would be money and/or class. Write 3-5 pages with textual examples as well as your own reasons why you believe your interpretation is right. Another would be a more creative one along those same lines, what would the story be like if these people were in a lower socioeconomic class? Would there still be a story? Is there a story already like this? Give examples and/or write a new synopsis or what would change in the story.

I’ll figure it out.

 I have completed Catcher in the Rye and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I see what the big deal for this book is and have even done some researcxh on the book and the author. I see that there has never really been a film adaptation and that ties directly into the fact tat J.D. Salinger is well known for his reclusive nature and his strange habits after Catcher gained the reputation it still retains today.

  As for assignments for my final project and for future students are concerned, I believe that either something involving this kind of research would be a hopeful assignment, such as why someone thinks Salinger is the way he is portrayed or a favorite of mine would be what would a film adaptation look like? What actors would play who if you had the choice? Who would adapt the screenplay? In terms of a voice assignment, I would think that an assignment regarding Holden’s voice and adapting your own would be excellent. An example- Notice many peculiarities in Holden’s speech, how he narrates the story as he goes along, speaking to YOU. Write 2-3 pages in the same way, to an audience either as Holden using his speech patterns and voice, or creating your own. dapt your own voice or an interesting fictional character that an audience could recognize in just the few pages. I believe these asignments could be huge leaps for students in identifying with a novel, as well as being creative and writing voice, dialogue and exposition.

After reading about half of the book, I have come to a conclusion. This story is one great account of a character with a unique voice that is honest, different, and intriguing. I can see what the fuss for this book is. Holden Caulfield is a prime example for establishing a character with the use of voice. I beieve a great potential assignment for a student with this book would be to note the ways Holden is presenting his character throughout the book. What are his habits? His language? His opinions? Perhaps why you think he talks and acts tis way? Who are the most important people in his life? I will definitely have more ideas the more I read.