theduckthief’s Comments (group member since Apr 10, 2008)

theduckthief’s comments from the The Classics group.

Anne's family is awful in general as well as to Anne. Did you love them or hate them? Mary was fascinating as she turned every situation around to make her seem like the victim.

Anne makes a comment about how men write women. What does Jane say about men in this book now that the pen is in her hand?

There are various women with varying personalities throughout the book. For example, Mary Musgrove could very well be described as a bit of a "nutter". Mrs. Russell acts as if she's a true friend to Anne but is not. Was Jane saying anything about women through these various characters and if so, what?

How does the title relate to the story and the characters in it?

If you've read any other books by Austen, do you think Anne Elliot is the Mary Sue of the lot or is she simply Austen's ideal woman?

I felt the same way at first. His voice is somewhat grating but I think that's how we're supposed to feel. It's true to a teenager.

No, but your selections showed up in the list so I assumed you had. No worries. Voting for our March book is up so feel free to head to the poll section.

It's that time again. The random number generator gave me these numbers, 13, 23, 18, 4.

This corresponds with:

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" - Truman Capote
"The Mill on the Floss" - George Eliot
"The Woman in White" - Wilkie Collins
"Persuasion" - Jane Austen.

Here's the poll to place your vote.

Thank you for the suggestions Boof. Did you by any chance edit the Master List to add your books?

After first finishing the book I thought, well nothing much happens. But upon a second look and thanks to author John Green's vlog on the book, I was able to see the deeper meaning in the book.

There are actually two Holden's in this book. The one whom the story is about and the one who is telling the story.

As well, Caufield's red hunter's hat is extremely important in understanding his character and his motivation.

I felt sympathetic towards his character but at the same time, he's not someone I'd want to befriend.

While some words and phrases are definitely archaic to me I loved the various pop culture references. I'm familiar with personalities like Peter Lorre and Gary Cooper but I'm not sure the average person, or teenager would fully grasp everything because the book is so old.

There is an authenticity to Caufield's voice. I'm always impressed with authors who can effectively write in the voice of a child or teenager when they're so far removed from the experience. It's also interesting to see how little has changed in terms of the woes of being a teenager.

Holden Caufield is a walking contradiction. He hates phonies, managing to name quite a few that he knows or knows of and yet he lies constantly to everybody.

As well, he claims to be illiterate and from his dialogue and diction you might come to the same conclusion but he's read a variety of classics. From Thomas Hardy's "Return of the Native" to Dickens' "David Copperfield".

Normally I'm not a big fan of first person narrative because it can make the story itself stale but here it works. Salinger has given Caufield such a distinct and original voice that we don't mind when he goes on about what he sees. We're given a clear view of the setting without getting bogged down in awkward description from the protagonist.

For discussion on Ch 20-25.

For discussion on Ch 14-19.

For discussion on Ch 8-13

Huzzah! After a long and frustrating 3 week search I have finally obtained a copy. Chapters are divided in four parts for the four weeks of February.

So, I was about to get the book today from the Curriculum Library on campus but was told that I couldn't get the only copy in the whole city that's available because I'm no longer a student. I was about ready to tear my hair out as the copy I'd requested was overdue.

If someone else wants to set up chapters while I wait for my copy then go right ahead.

Hi Marelis.

We're going to be reading "Catcher in the Rye" for February.

I went to the library today and in our whole system there isn't one copy of it. How disappointing. I might be forced to buy it if I can't find a copy from the campus library.

You guys are funny!

I'm glad everyone feels so strongly about the variety of choices for next month.