In the book, The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger, a boy named Holden Caulfield is struggling in school, however he seems to be doing so intentionally. In the first two chapters that I have read of the book, Holden explains that he has either flunked out of or "quit" multiple boarding schools in the past. He seems to not care what kind of effect that this behavior could have on his future. He finds the prestigious boarding schools that his parents send him to "full of phonies." He doesn't like the way that the teachers and administrators act around the parents, or the way some of the schools promise to "mold boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men."
Towards the end of the first chapter, Holden is headed to his history teacher's house to say good-bye before he is sent home. His teacher, Mr. Spencer, seems to be upset with Holden's attitude towards school, and his education. At one point during the visit, Mr. Spencer asks Holden if he even cares, and if he realizes that flunking out of so many schools will damage his future. To these questions, Holden seems to be almost offended. It seems as though he doesn't want anybody's opinion on the matter, even if they are trying to help. He is focused on the present and has yet to start thinking about the future.
In some cases, kids that have this attitude towards school don't have a good support system of people who care about them and whether or not they succeed. This, however, may not be Holden's case. His parents have yet to make an appearance in the book, but they care enough to send him to good schools despite his track record. This could be for their own benefit, but it might be for his as well. Holden also has teachers like Mr. Spencer, who seem to care if he does well in school or not. Mr. Spencer was worried about him, and how his actions could seriously damage his future.
I have never had to struggle with not having people support me in school. I believe that the support of my parents and all of the amazing teachers that I have had over the years has really encouraged my to love learning, and helped me to succeed in school. Holden, in the book, doesn't love learning, he often finds things to be "boring," and hardly tries to find a way to make learning entertaining. This may be part of his problem, he is too focused on not caring and how "boring" learning is that he is letting the opportunities that he is presented with pass him by.
This book connects with my inquiry through Holden's unique experience with school. As I continue to read the book, I hope to figure out why it is that Holden has the attitude he does towards school, and what or who might have influenced his thinking.
Towards the end of the first chapter, Holden is headed to his history teacher's house to say good-bye before he is sent home. His teacher, Mr. Spencer, seems to be upset with Holden's attitude towards school, and his education. At one point during the visit, Mr. Spencer asks Holden if he even cares, and if he realizes that flunking out of so many schools will damage his future. To these questions, Holden seems to be almost offended. It seems as though he doesn't want anybody's opinion on the matter, even if they are trying to help. He is focused on the present and has yet to start thinking about the future.
In some cases, kids that have this attitude towards school don't have a good support system of people who care about them and whether or not they succeed. This, however, may not be Holden's case. His parents have yet to make an appearance in the book, but they care enough to send him to good schools despite his track record. This could be for their own benefit, but it might be for his as well. Holden also has teachers like Mr. Spencer, who seem to care if he does well in school or not. Mr. Spencer was worried about him, and how his actions could seriously damage his future.
I have never had to struggle with not having people support me in school. I believe that the support of my parents and all of the amazing teachers that I have had over the years has really encouraged my to love learning, and helped me to succeed in school. Holden, in the book, doesn't love learning, he often finds things to be "boring," and hardly tries to find a way to make learning entertaining. This may be part of his problem, he is too focused on not caring and how "boring" learning is that he is letting the opportunities that he is presented with pass him by.
This book connects with my inquiry through Holden's unique experience with school. As I continue to read the book, I hope to figure out why it is that Holden has the attitude he does towards school, and what or who might have influenced his thinking.