Answer the following questions.

1. What was Teddy’s time-table that day?

2. The end of the story is tragic. Why did Salinger make the protagonist (the most important character in a play, film, or story = main character) die at the end of the story?

8. Find all the words and expressions with the help of which both characters swear to the truthfulness of their words. Who says that and why?

9. Focus on the central character the story — Teddy. One of the means of characterization is a page from his diary. A diary is something personal where a person can be himself. What new traits of the boy`s personality does his diary reveal? Every detail is important (handwriting, notes, language, plans, thoughts).

10. Let us focus on style. Analyze just one example of Teddy’s conversation. What sort of impression does the reader get reading this? Prove your point of view.

“Don’t you want your pillow?” Teddy asked him.

“I want that camera, young man.”

“You can’t be very comfortable in that position. It isn’t possible,” Teddy said. “I’ll leave it right here.” He placed the pillow on the foot of the bed, clear of his father’s feet. He started out of the cabin.

“Teddy,” his mother said, without turning over. “Tell Booper I want to see her before her swimming lesson.”

“Why don’t you leave the kid alone?” Mr. McArdle asked. “You seem to resent her having a few lousy minutes’ freedom. You know how you treat her? I’ll tell you exactly how you treat her. You treat her like
a bloomin’ criminal.”

“Bloomin’! Oh, that’s cute! You’re getting so Eng­lish, lover.”

Teddy lingered for a moment at the door, reflec­tively experimenting with the door handle, turning it slowly left and right. “After I go out this door, I may only exist in the minds of all my acquaintances,” he said. “I may be an orange peel.”

“What, darling?” Mrs. McArdle asked from across the cabin, still lying on her right side.

“Let’s get on the ball, buddy. Let’s get that Leica down here.”

“Come give Mother a kiss. A nice, big one.”

“Not right now,” Teddy said absently. “I’m tired.” He closed the door behind him.

11. One of the last questions Teddy was asked was: “What would you change in the system of education if you were able to?” What would be your answer to the same question? Put your suggestions in writing and be ready to share them with your group mates.

12. Definitely we shouldn’t think twice to understand that Teddy is the author’s mouthpiece (a character that expresses the opinion of the author himself). Describe Teddy’s (that is, Salinger’s) attitude to

1. Family.

2. Religion.

3. Poetry.

4. Logic.

5. Science.

6. Material world.

7. Education.

REFLECTIVE WRITING

13. Find the names of the events and places mentioned in the story. What do you know about them? What are they known for? Reflect on their meaning for the story. Choose one to characterize the author’s message in writing (50 + words).

14. Reread this entry from Teddy’s notebook. Reflect on the message in writing (100+ words).

Answer Professor Mandell’s letter when you get a chance and the patience. Ask him not to send me any more poetry books. I already have enough for 1 year anyway. I am quite sick of it anyway. A man walks along the beach and unfortunately gets hit in the head by a coconut. His head unfortunately cracks open in two halves. Then his wife comes along the beach singing a song and sees the 2 halves and recognizes them and picks them up. She gets very sad of course and cries heart breakingly. That is exactly where I am tired of poetry. Supposing the lady just picks up the 2 halves and shouts into them very angrily “Stop that!” Do not mention this when you answer his letter, however. It is quite controversial and Mrs. Mandell is a poet besides.

15. Write a diary entry (300+ words) in which you describe reading Salinger’s story as a spiritual experience.

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