Holden would appear to associate children with both candor and sexual innocence. He would appear to associate adults with both hypocrisy and sexual sophistication. If he does indeed make these associations, where does that leave him—a sixteen year old?
What is his attitude toward his own sexual activity? and that of others?
C.
Vernacular
Students often have a unique vocabulary. Review some of their favorite expressions first and then compare some of Holden’s speech with their own. Are the 1940’s and the 1980’s really that different?
How do you reconcile Holden’s love of literature and reading in general with his statement that he has a “lousy” vocabulary and with his use of the vernacular? (p.20)
Step
5—Define each of these words and use them in a sentence.
1. headmdaster
2. phony
3. philanthropist
4. sexuality
5. sustained
6. contradiction
7. vernacular
8. candor
9. hypocrisy
10. sophistication
11. reconcile
12. attitude
13. innocence
14. associations
15. bastard
