a. identify climax, major conflict, resolution or denoument, what type of plot (see page of literary terms)
The climax of the story is when Holden's sister, Phoebe is riding the carousal. Until that moment, he planned to run away from everything and live as a recluse in a small cottage, but after spending some time with his sister at the zoo and watching her ride the carousal, he feels the happiness that he has longed for. He suddenly becomes filled with joy that he has been longing for. The major conflict is between Holden and himself. He is a very opinionated boy who frequently jumps into conclusions about people without really taking the time to get to know them. Due to his over keenness, he is unable to find the satisfaction that he desires in spite of his efforts (including sex, alcohol, getting expelled from school and etc). It is basically a fight between him and his inner self.
b. comment about setting
The story takes place in New York. The places that Holden visit can be described as noisy, dirty and crowded. He goes to many bars and restaurants where he almost always drinks alcohol despite his young age. The setting almost describes the character himself because you can tell that Holden is going through an overwhelming mix of emotions.
c. identify one major symbol and one minor.
Major symbol: The red hunting hat
Holden is always alone and feels lonely throughout the book; hence, he wears the red hunting hat whenever he feels gloomy and depressed. The red hat symbolizes the protection and the warmth that he desires.
Minor symbol: New York
The city itself is a symbol of Holden's inner mind. He is going through a turbulence of emotions and the chaos that exists in New York represents such emotions. The city also emphasizes on his loneliness because in spite of all the actions that happen in one of the busiest cities in the world, Holden's feeling of seclusion just exacerbates.
d. discuss two characters. Label as round or flat, dynamic or static. Are they archetypal or foils?
Holden: Round character
Holden is a round character because when the reader (like myself as a teenager) reads this book, I can almost feel this connection that exists between us. He is going through the stage where he wants to try some spontaneous things and every teenager can relate to such desire. Sometimes, we want to try something new and Holden truly represents the inner minds of a typical teenager.
Phoebe: Flat character
Phoebe is a flat character because she is the same throughout the story. Her love for her brother maintains throughout the whole story and she herself as a character does not go through a significant change.
e. Open to the exact middle. What page? Write one paragraph about how this one page relates thematically, symbolically,
or other (just not all plot) to the rest of the book.
Page 119
This page is when Holden meets a guy in the elevator and decides to have a "throw" for five dollars. His acceptance of the "throw" represents Holden's desire to find happiness. He wants to escape from the hectic reality and want to feel some sort of emotion besides stress and anxiety. In other words, it expresses his true feeling of loneliness in spite of his attempt to look tough and strong.
f. Tell me one thing other that really only someone who has read the book will get.
The language is very interesting. "Dough" - money, "damn" "sexy" "throw"
Heart of Darkness Setting and Motif
Motifs & Symbols
Darkness
The title itself contains the word “Darkness”, but the story itself also makes many references to darkness. “"A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence…” (73). When Marlow walks into the Company’s head quarters, he describes the place as being gloomy and depressing. Then he suddenly spots a map with different colored labels on it, which can refer to imperialism and its chaos.
The Sepulcher
The sepulcher refers to the dead room where dead person is laid or buried. When he enters the company’s city, he mentions how he feels like he is in a sepulcher. This may foreshadow the upcoming peril and destruction in his journey to Africa. Such conjecture can be clearly made when Marlow encounters the Doctor who tells him that no one has ever returned from his/her trip to Africa.
Setting
The Town
Marlow describes the town as being dark and gloomy as if he is in a sepulcher. The ladies who are knitting also give a creepy ambience.
The Thames River
The Thames River conveys the feeling of nostalgia because the river reminds men of imperialism, and how the Romans survived the harsh conditions and difficulties. It is also a little bit paradoxical because even though the river itself looks very tranquil and calm, many horrible incidents occurred at the river. It’s not what it seems.
French Steamer
He describes the black people working on the ship (refers to the “Reality”). “They were a great comfort to look at”. This almost sounds as if he is looking down at them. The adjectives that he uses also convey Marlow’s inner feeling. There is not much going on while he is on the French steamer yet the reader can feel the suspense and darkness.
- a. identify climax, major conflict, resolution or denoument, what type of plot (see page of literary terms)
The climax of the story is when Holden's sister, Phoebe is riding the carousal. Until that moment, he planned to run away from everything and live as a recluse in a small cottage, but after spending some time with his sister at the zoo and watching her ride the carousal, he feels the happiness that he has longed for. He suddenly becomes filled with joy that he has been longing for. The major conflict is between Holden and himself. He is a very opinionated boy who frequently jumps into conclusions about people without really taking the time to get to know them. Due to his over keenness, he is unable to find the satisfaction that he desires in spite of his efforts (including sex, alcohol, getting expelled from school and etc). It is basically a fight between him and his inner self.- b. comment about setting
The story takes place in New York. The places that Holden visit can be described as noisy, dirty and crowded. He goes to many bars and restaurants where he almost always drinks alcohol despite his young age. The setting almost describes the character himself because you can tell that Holden is going through an overwhelming mix of emotions.- c. identify one major symbol and one minor.
Major symbol: The red hunting hatHolden is always alone and feels lonely throughout the book; hence, he wears the red hunting hat whenever he feels gloomy and depressed. The red hat symbolizes the protection and the warmth that he desires.
Minor symbol: New York
The city itself is a symbol of Holden's inner mind. He is going through a turbulence of emotions and the chaos that exists in New York represents such emotions. The city also emphasizes on his loneliness because in spite of all the actions that happen in one of the busiest cities in the world, Holden's feeling of seclusion just exacerbates.
- d. discuss two characters. Label as round or flat, dynamic or static. Are they archetypal or foils?
Holden: Round characterHolden is a round character because when the reader (like myself as a teenager) reads this book, I can almost feel this connection that exists between us. He is going through the stage where he wants to try some spontaneous things and every teenager can relate to such desire. Sometimes, we want to try something new and Holden truly represents the inner minds of a typical teenager.
Phoebe: Flat character
Phoebe is a flat character because she is the same throughout the story. Her love for her brother maintains throughout the whole story and she herself as a character does not go through a significant change.
- e. Open to the exact middle. What page? Write one paragraph about how this one page relates thematically, symbolically,
or other (just not all plot) to the rest of the book.Page 119
This page is when Holden meets a guy in the elevator and decides to have a "throw" for five dollars. His acceptance of the "throw" represents Holden's desire to find happiness. He wants to escape from the hectic reality and want to feel some sort of emotion besides stress and anxiety. In other words, it expresses his true feeling of loneliness in spite of his attempt to look tough and strong.
- f. Tell me one thing other that really only someone who has read the book will get.
The language is very interesting. "Dough" - money, "damn" "sexy" "throw"Heart of Darkness Setting and Motif
Motifs & Symbols
Darkness
The title itself contains the word “Darkness”, but the story itself also makes many references to darkness. “"A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence…” (73). When Marlow walks into the Company’s head quarters, he describes the place as being gloomy and depressing. Then he suddenly spots a map with different colored labels on it, which can refer to imperialism and its chaos.
The Sepulcher
The sepulcher refers to the dead room where dead person is laid or buried. When he enters the company’s city, he mentions how he feels like he is in a sepulcher. This may foreshadow the upcoming peril and destruction in his journey to Africa. Such conjecture can be clearly made when Marlow encounters the Doctor who tells him that no one has ever returned from his/her trip to Africa.
Setting
The Town
Marlow describes the town as being dark and gloomy as if he is in a sepulcher. The ladies who are knitting also give a creepy ambience.
The Thames River
The Thames River conveys the feeling of nostalgia because the river reminds men of imperialism, and how the Romans survived the harsh conditions and difficulties. It is also a little bit paradoxical because even though the river itself looks very tranquil and calm, many horrible incidents occurred at the river. It’s not what it seems.
French Steamer
He describes the black people working on the ship (refers to the “Reality”). “They were a great comfort to look at”. This almost sounds as if he is looking down at them. The adjectives that he uses also convey Marlow’s inner feeling. There is not much going on while he is on the French steamer yet the reader can feel the suspense and darkness.