Catcher Analysis Ch. 1-16

Et tu Jay Z?

The never ending question 'Why do we have to read Shakespeare?' 'Miss Macdonald, who cares about Julius Caesar?' Well, cherubs, my answer is 'Jay Z does!' and if it hadn't been for our glorious unit on The Tragedy of Julius Caesar last quarter you would have no idea what Jay Z was talking about in his remix with Coldplay to their song 'Lost.' The song, to me, is about exactly how quickly someone can fall from success - 'just wait until the shine wears off.' If you climb the ladder of ambition (as Brutus tells us) you will be killed by those who oppose you or feel you are a threat. Look at the examples of historical figures and celebrities he uses to make his point:

With the same sword they knight you,
they gon' good night you with
that's only half if they like you
That ain't even the half what they might do
Don't believe me, ask Michael
See Martin, see Malcolm
See Biggie, see Pac,
see success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas
See Caesar, see Brutus,
see success is like suicide
Suicide, it's a suicide
If you succeed, prepare to be crucified

He is rapping about the very theme of Shakespeare's play. If you succeed in life, prepare to be crucified either metaphorically or actually. When you consider Shakespeare's own experience in the theatre business he was an overnight sensation. He flew up the ladder of success and was ostracized (Holden's word) by rival playwrights. They despised him solely for how talented he was. It wasn't until just now that I realize, perhaps Shakespeare could identify with Caesar - the alienation - the suspicion - the inability to be content with what you had acheived for fear of what others might do.

Here's the video for the song 'Lost' - Jay Z starts rapping at about 2:25.

Metaphors are awesome!

A student of mine mentioned a favorite author of hers whom she YouTubed and found videos of him talking about The Catcher in the Rye. [insert Miss Macdonald being really excited here] So, this is the first installment of three videos I'll be adding to illuminate some of the details of this novel. The author is John Green and this first video is on what is important to notice at the beginning of the novel. Green is VERY funny. Watch it all the way through.

What Good Fortune!

While growing up instead of getting pizza my family ordered chinese takeout instead. Often. Ok, all the time. We ordered from Chang An a fancy chinese resturaunt in Concord Center.
Now the English connection: When I try to teach my students about themes (the author's message or purpose for writing a text) I ask them to think of a fortune cookie. Have you ever cracked open a fortune cookie and it just says 'Racism' ? or 'Friendship'? or 'Lying'? I certainly haven't heard of anyone who has. My guess is the reason why no one has, is what good is a topic? That doesn't help you at all BUT fortune cookies do have helpful phrases or reminders on them that either are themes or can easily be turned into them.

After a PuPu platter, fried peking raviolis and white rice, I cracked open my fortune cookie (always eating the cookie before reading the fortune) and it read: Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude.

IT WAS A THEME!!!

I got pretty excited - as you can assume - and instantly stole my friends fortune cookie and read: If one desires recognition, one will find it.

IT WAS A THEME!!!

So, I have come up with a plan to decorate the cork board at the top of one of my blackboards with fortunes from fortune cookies. This will help further remind my students to never ever write in their essays "A major theme of Julius Caesar is lying."

FAVOR: When you get chinese food please, please save your fortunes, steal your friends fortunes, and bring them in! I want to cover the cork board with fortunes!