Class:

READING

Observations from Holdens Therapist: Dr. ________________________

The entire time you read Catcher in the Rye, you are to take on the perspective of Holdens therapist. He is telling YOU the story. Your therapy sessions with Holden are split into 5 chapter groupings: 1. Session 1: Chapters 1-7 4. Session 4: Chapters 21-23 2. Session 2: Chapters 8-14 5. Session 5: Chapters 24-26 3. Session 3: Chapters 15-20

For each therapy session, you will be writing a Therapists Journal. Heres what youll do: Write in 3rd person, talking about Holden in objective1 terms as your patient. (He loses his lax sticks) Turn in 2 pages on each due date: o 1st page: OBSERVATION NOTES. This is where you will take notes (in bullet points) of your observations of Holden during this therapy session. Include citations! Your observation notes should cover what you see fitting in these 4 categories: 1. His actions (or inactions) and what they exhibit (Losing his lax sticks shows he is irresponsible-- (6).) 2. His major thought/feeling patterns and what you think they might suggest (He believes everyone is phonymaybe hes nervous about his own inconsistencies? (9)) 3. His journeywhere does he go, who does he meet, and what happens? (He eats breakfast with the nuns, talk about religion (87-90); he takes a trip to the pond, sees its frozen (110)) 4. Significant symbols, images he talks about (pond (15), ducks (22), mitt (12), hunting hat (12)) o 2nd page: ANALYSIS. This is where you will choose Holdens key problem in this therapy session. Think about: What is causing this problem? What is happening as a result of this problem? o Write a THESIS that explains the key problem, and what is happening to Holden as a result. (Because Holden is distracted by the loss of his brother Allie, he is irresponsible towards school and his other obligations.) o Bullet point explanations for 3-4 SPECIFIC EXAMPLES with quotes and citations as your evidence. (He loses his lax sticksQUOTE (6). Losing his lax sticks shows Holden flunks out of every schoolQUOTE (8). Flunking out of every boarding school suggests Holden)
See back for grading rubric. See Reading Calendar & Class blog for due dates.
1

neutral, based on facts

Grading Rubric for Therapist Journals Observation Notes: o Accurate & through notes on Holdens journey: ______ / 1 pts o Accurate & thorough account of symbols: _______ / 1 pts o Accurate & thorough notes on Holdens actions/inactions and what they exhibit: _____ / 1 pts o Accurate & thorough notes on Holdens major thought patters: _______ / 1 pts o Quotations/Citations Included: _____ / 1 pts Analysis: o Thesis for key problem is clear, insightful, and logical: ______ / 4 pts o 3-4 Specific examples: o Relevant Quotes included: _______ / 3 pts o Explanations for quotes connect to the idea presented in the thesis to prove the writers claim: _____ / 3 pts TOTAL for each Therapist Journal: _________ / 15 Reading Points