English Language and
Literature
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
• Unit 2 - ELLB2
Themes in Language and Literature
40% of AS, 20% of A-level
Coursework Unit
64 marks
Two-part assignment on chosen pair of texts:
discussion of a set theme in relation to the texts
(Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger and The Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain); a piece of creative
writing, demonstrating understanding of texts as a
whole
English Language and
Literature
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
• Once we have read the opening chapter,
answer the questions in pairs.
• Feedback.
• Once you have read chapter 2, answer the
questions on Holden’s language.
English Language and
Literature
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
• How does Salinger establish Holden’s voice in
the opening chapters of ‘Catcher in the Rye’?
- Remember to use quotes and analyse specific
language features.
You need to show perceptive interpretation and skilful
analysis of a good range of linguistic and literary features
English Language and
Literature: Word classes
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
Word classes:
• Noun
• Adjective
• Adverb
• Verb
Give me an example of each of the above from
the ‘Catcher in the Rye’ extract you used last
lesson.
English Language and
Literature: Word classes
Key Terms:
• Narrative voice
• Idiosyncrasy
• Colloquialism
• Slang
• Vague expression
• Intensifier
• Lexis
• Specific adjectives
• Expletives
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
English Language and
Literature
L.O. To explore narrative voice in
the novel’Catcher in the Rye’
• Look for examples of short sentences.
• Look for examples of Holden’s idiosyncrasies such
as ‘and all’ etc
• Consider the use of first person narrative in
‘Catcher…’.
• Once you have highlighted examples explain their
effect on the reader.
• Now write at least two paragraphs on how
Salinger’s uses language to present Holden
Caulfield.
English Language and
L.O. To comment on a range of
and literary features and analyse
Literature linguistic
their effects.
• Look for examples of short sentences.
• Look for examples of Holden’s idiosyncrasies such
as ‘and all’ etc
• Consider the use of first person narrative in
‘Catcher…’.
• Once you have highlighted examples explain their
effect on the reader.
• Now write at least two paragraphs on how
Salinger’s uses linguistic and literary features to
present Holden Caulfield. Link this to the theme
You need to show confident interpretation and detailed
of escape.
analysis of a good range of linguistic and literary features
English Language and
L.O. To comment on a range of
and literary features and analyse
Literature linguistic
their effects.
• Read the last few pages of chapter 7 again and
annotate linguistic features and consider their
effect in relation to the theme of escape.
You need to show confident interpretation and detailed
analysis of a good range of linguistic and literary features
(AO2)
You need to show the ability to structure a focused
discussion on the set theme, making generally
sound use of appropriately
chosen extracts (AO4)
English Language and
L.O. To comment on a range of
and literary features and analyse
Literature linguistic
their effects.
• Read the last few pages of chapter 7 again and
annotate linguistic features and consider their effect
in relation to the theme of escape.
In The Catcher in the Rye when Holden Caulfield escapes
Pencey, the lexis “rapid” suggests his desperation and his
desire to leave in a hurry. However, his repetition of the verb
‘depressed’ gives his escape a less urgent feel and suggests his
internal struggle and resistance to growing up.
You need to show the ability to structure a focused
discussion onand
thedetailed
set theme, making generally
You need to show confident interpretation
sound use
appropriately
analysis of a good range of linguistic
andofliterary
features
chosen extracts (AO4)
English Language and
L.O. To comment on a range of
and literary features and analyse
Literature linguistic
their effects.
• Read the extracts and analyse thoroughly.
You need to show confident interpretation and detailed
analysis of a good range of linguistic and literary features
(AO2)
You need to show the ability to structure a focused
discussion on the set theme, making generally
sound use of appropriately
chosen extracts (AO4)
L.O. To comment
on a range of
English Language and
Literature
linguistic and literary features and analyse
their effects.
• In ‘The Catcher in the Rye’, the first person narrative portrays
Holden Caulfield as cynical about life and in particular about those
around him, “I didn’t even bother to listen to him.” This highlights
his arrogance and dismissive nature; he ignores Ackley and
throughout
novelconfident
shows distain
for others.
However, it also
You needthe
to show
interpretation
and detailed
reveals
Holden
berange
an unreliable
narrator
andfeatures
vulnerable; at the
analysis
of a to
good
of linguistic
and literary
end(AO2)
of the novel he says how he misses Ackley. While Huckleberry
Finn’s escape is planned, Holden Caulfield’s is impulsive. Whereas
Huckleberry Finn’s narrative can be seen to merely describe the
details ofYou
hisneed
escape,
‘I beat
and to
hacked
it considerable...’
to show
the it
ability
structure
a focused
Caulfield’s
disclosesonhis
thoughts
andgenerally
feelings, ‘I just didn’t
discussion
theinner
set theme,
making
want to hang
anymore. It made me too sad...’ leaving the
soundaround
use of appropriately
reader tochosen
determine
the(AO4)
truth behind his words.
extracts
L.O. To comment
on a range of
English Language and
Literature
linguistic and literary features and analyse
their effects.
• However, The Catcher in the Rye is set in Post-War 20thCentury
urban society, mainly in New York. Caulfield feels alienated from his
world and his character can be seen to represent Salinger’s criticism
of modern society. In the chosen extract, the setting is a private
boarding
school
called
Pencey.
When Holden
decides to escape
You need
to show
confident
interpretation
and detailed
fromanalysis
Penceyofand
leave
early,
his planand
is not
veryfeatures
convincing or well
a good
range
of linguistic
literary
thought
(AO2)out, “But all of a sudden, I changed my mind” shows how
rushed the decision is and the reader is aware that whether he
escapes or not, he cannot escape his overwhelming feeling of
alienation.
finds
independence
a certain
amount of
YouFinn
need
to show
the ability to and
structure
a focused
freedomdiscussion
in the natural
he escapes
to, whilst Caulfield’s
on thesetting
set theme,
making generally
escape from
one
setting to another, simply leaves him feeling
sound
useurban
of appropriately
more alone.
chosen extracts (AO4)