CITR Chapters 7-12

1. If I were Holden and had just gotten kicked out of school, I would probably go to a friends house or travel to a place that I had been wanting to go to. I don't think that I would want to go home, agreeing with the thoughts of Holden on this. I would go to a friend's house because it would be like starting vacation early instead of getting kicked out of school. Or I would go to a place I had been wanting to go to for a while, like NYC, because it would get my mind off why I wasn't in school, and all that other stuff.

2. I think that what the end of chapter 12 says is true. Especially when you're reading a book, and someone else has already read it and they tell you exactly what happens. Same with movies. When you're having fun and someone is just all bummed out about it, that also can ruin it for you. Or when they're not enjoying themselves but you are, and they think that it's all about them. People have definitely ruined things for me before, while I'm reading books or about to watch a movie. And when others are just down all the time, it has ruined it for me also.

3. Right now, Jane's character has just been introduced a little. There hasn't been any present interactions between Jane and Holden yet, so I can't really say how they interact together. But Jane is one of those people who is always fun to be around, likes just hanging out, and also doing random things that are fun. I think the fact that Holden remembers how Jane always kept her kings in the back row was a hint of a possible connection between the two. I have the feeling that Holden cares about Jane, even if he isn't willing to admit it. His thoughts always drift back to her, and he doesn't really mention any other girls, other than ones he "went around with", which leads me to believe that she was someone special.

CITR Chapters 1-6

1. To be unique means to stand out in the crowd. It is a good thing to be unique because everyone else is already taken, so there's no point in trying to be them. I think that in the teenage years, before you really figure out who you are, you try to fit in like everyone else. I'm not saying that this is how everyone is, but I have definitely noticed this, as I have done it too. You're not meant to be like your best friend. If you were, wow, this would be a boring place. In this context, being unique is like Ackley, or Allie. Ackley has a distinct personality that makes him him and Allie had the brightest red hair ever, making him unique from someone with just slightly red hair. They both stand out, and how you react to that is part of who you are. Holden is also a very unique character. He doesn't admire himself all day long and talk about how great he is like Stradlater. He likes to act like a little kid, which is very unusual for a 16 year old, especially since almost all the 16 year-olds that I know act like they're all grown up and everything. On some level, Holden is really independent. I think that while he was talking with Old Spencer, he was considerate of what he had to say, and respected that he was trying to help him, but he didn't want to listen. He is a very smart kid, just not book smart, if you know what I mean.

2. In an adult world,  individuality is kept by being different than everyone else. Doing what you love is the most important part to being a unique individual in an adult world. If you really love something, you'll really excel and be great at it.

3. Allie is similar to my favorite person in many ways. (First off, I wish not to tell my favorite person because I cannot choose between them.) One, my favorite person cares as much as Allie does for other people, as well as being extremely intelligent, funny, and great to be around. This person makes me smile, yet can be serious when necessary. Rereading the page where Allie is mentioned, my favorite person is very athletic, and always there for support.