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//Catcher in the Rye// Wiki Project
 * U-32 Contemporary Literature**

First of all, what is a wiki, and how do you use it? media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="390" width="480"

And now... for instructions on the //Catcher in the Rye// wiki....

Many people can relate to Holden: the loner, the sad, depressed rich kid from New York City that has everything yet can't seem to get it together.

One reason is because, although the book is relatively short, there are a number of things going on. Holden is not a one-dimensional character; he consists of layers that peel away as the novel progresses.

But how can we bring Holden into the modern era? Your job as a class is to create a wiki based upon Holden. The class will be responsible for compiling six pages--one each week. Each page should be comprehensive, well thought out, and researched. Cover the topic in full, but also try to be as concise as possible.

You will be places in groups which you will work with throughout the unit. Each group will gather information for one of the six pages, post their information to the wiki, and present the information to the class. You will be given class time, but you can also post from home if you have internet access.

At the end of the six weeks, you will have created a great resource that everyone in the class can benefit from.

group 1: Emily, Ryan B., Mallory C. group 2: Genevieve, Ryan C., Maranda group 3: Mallory D, Kaitlyn, Lindsi group 4: Chris, Shannon, Hunter group 5: Jessica, Shawn, Miranda group 6: Ashley, Kevin

__One: Historical Information__ You are responsible for finding all the information you can about life in 1949. Here are some things to think about: You can include recordings of popular songs, pictures, videos, links, etc, as long as it's connected to life in the 1940s.
 * Weekly Topics**
 * What was it like being a teenager in 1949?
 * Holden's use of language is very distinct--is this the way most teenagers spoke at the time?
 * How did people dress?
 * What was popular music?
 * What was the median income?
 * What was the median income for people like Holden's parents?

__Two: History of the Novel__ Why did this book have such an impact on Americans of the 20th century and today? Here are some suggestions:
 * Look for information on book reviews when it was published in 1951.
 * Link to interviews with current writers who were affected by Holden.
 * How did teenagers react to the book when it was first published?
 * Why was the book banned?
 * Are there any interesting letters to the author, or to Holden?

__Three: What's bothering Holden?__ What are some possible psychological reasons for Holden's madman days around Christmas? Some suggestions:
 * Find out about the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, the five stages of grieving and loss, the impact of death on a family, and any other reason you think Holden might be failing out of school and wandering New York City.
 * How might Holden be treated today?

__Four: Character analysis.__ Create a page describing most of the characters in the novel. Your webpage should include information about Holden, Phoebe, Stradlater, Allie, Ackley, and Mr. Antolini. It can also include information on Maurice, Sunny, Old Spencer, D.B., and Holden's parents. Write your own details about each character, add pictures if you think they capture a character's physical appearance (hair, height, weight), link descriptions that others have written about any of these characters, and include links that you think describe them. (For example, create a link on Phoebe's page to a website that has information about gifted children.)

__Five: Literary elements.__ Research all that you can about the literary elements used in the novel, and give examples of the following: You can use what we've discussed in class, cite quotations from the novel, and create links from other sources.
 * foreshadowing
 * imagery
 * Salinger's use of metaphor
 * symbolism
 * setting
 * irony
 * tone
 * point of view
 * conflict
 * theme

__Six: Outside elements.__ Salinger mentions a number of other authors and famous literary characters in //The Catcher in the Rye//. (Isak Dinesen's //Out of Africa//, Somerset Maughm's //Of Human Bondage//, Emily Dickinson//,// Ring Lardner, and Gatsby.) Write a brief summary of each author, character, or novel mentioned and provide a reason for why Salinger may have included them in the book. Consider:
 * Do these authors tell us something about Holden?
 * The title of the novel is taken from a poem. Why? What is the significance of the poem?