Summary:
As the story begins with a cold opening, we are immediately introduced to the narrator, and Tyler. Both are on the Parker-Morris Building as it's rigged with homemade bombs, which is Tyler's area of expertise. As the narrator counts down the minutes, he gives a . We are then transported to a meeting of Remaining Men Together, testicular cancer support group. The narrator suffers from severe insomnia, which causes himself to feel distant from reality. Believing that the only way to feel alive is to be in a room full of terminal patients, he starts visiting numerous support groups, to the point where he creates a schedule. All is well until one day, he notices a woman at the testicular cancer support group. At this point, he realizes she has been attending every support group as him. He the vows to tell her the next meeting to quit attending, as he feels threatened by her presence. The next chapter then starts as the narrator is describing Tyler's job as a movie projectionist. At the same time, the narrator reveals his job as a Product Recall Specialist. Due to the nature of his job, he constantly travels and lives in a routine. Coupled with his insomnia, he constantly hopes for a plane crash. The narrator then tells us how he met Tyler at a nude beach, and received his phone number. He then skips back to a support group meeting, whom Marla is also attending. He finally confronts her, and finds out she too uses the support group as a way to feel alive. They then agree to split the attendance of the support groups. The narrator then comes back to the present story, as his luggage is left behind, due to his electric razor going off. As he arrives home by taxi, he finds his condominium to have exploded during his leave. Not caring much, he calls up Tyler and asks him if he can stay over his house. They agree to meet at a bar, where Tyler asks the narrator for one favor: To hit him as hard as he can. The narrator skips forward to a meeting between his boss and him, as he has a bruised and swollen face. He talks about the rules of Fight Club, which is what he and Tyler started at the basement of a bar. It started out the night of the explosion, as the narrator and Tyler gathered up support from the crowd as they were fighting for their first time. The narrator then tells how Tyler came to know Marla. Marla calls the narrator as she's about to commit suicide, but Tyler calls the cops and rushes to her hotel room. Marla however exists her apartment and directs the cops to the wrong room, as she follows Tyler back home. The narrator is back at his job, as he is sent back for all the dried up blood in his pants. Back at home, Tyler shows the narrator how to make soap, using fat. After creating the soap, Tyler kisses the narrators hand, to have water on his hand. The purpose is to pour lye, a dangerous substance, on his hand. When he pours it on the narrators hand, he explains how one must go towards self-destruction and hit rock bottom first, to be saved. Afterward, the narrator is working at a famous hotel restaurant with Tyler, as they stop an elevator full of food in between floors. Tyler proceeds to piss in one of the soups, as the narrator tells of how often they ruin the wealthy people's food. Now, the narrator is at a abandon car lot with Tyler, as they eat chinese food. They discuss how profitable Tyler's soap and company, Paper Street Soap Company, is. However, they can't get back home because Marla is highly upset at the both of them, and they fear her dangerousness. The narrator explains how Marla asks her mom for her fat to use to enlarge her lips, and asks the narrator to use his freezer as a storage of her fat. As she opens the freezer, the narrator realizes Tyler has been disguising himself as Marla in the form of a telegram, and has been asking Marla's mother for her fat too.
Quotation:
"Tyler says I'm nowhere near hitting the bottom, yet. And if I don't fall all the way, I can't be saved. Jesus did it with his crucifixion thing. I shouldn't just abandon money and property and knowledge. This isn't just a weekend retreat. I should run from self-improvement, and I should be running toward disaster. I can't just play it safe anymore. This isn't a seminar. "If you lose your nerve before you hit the bottom, " Tyler says, "you'll never really succeed. " Only after disaster can we be resurrected. "It's only after you've lost everything, " Tyler says, "that you're free to do anything. "(Palahniuk 61)
Reaction:
This quote explains the whole theme of the narrator's journey of life, and Tyler's view of how to deal with life. This explains the purpose behind Fight Club, and Tyler's imprudent lifestyle. This quote also reveals how close the narrator pays attention to Tyler, as shown how he repeats "Tyler says".
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Pg.66-135)
Summary:
After leaving Pencey, Holden boards on a train to New York. While on board, the mother of one of his fellow classmates, Ernest Morrow, notices the Pencey sticker on his suitcase, and proceeds to sit next to him. Being his devious self, he introduces himself as Rudolf Shmidt, which is actually the school's janitor. He continues lying to her by telling her a false description of her son, until she got off at another stop. Finally arriving at his stop, Holden contemplates on who to call, but fails to think of anyone. He then hops on a cab, and asks the cab driver about the fate of ducks when it's winter, but doesn't know anything about it. Holden then checks in into the hotel, and enters his room. Before unpacking, he looks out his window, and observes a man trying on woman's clothing, and a couple squirting water into each others faces. He considers lying through the phone to talk to Jane, but decides he's not in the mood to lie. Remembering a phone number he received from a guy he knew, Holden decides to call it. The number belonged to a woman who wasn't exactly a prostitute, but occasionally was. When she picks up, Holden introduces himself with his real name, and tries to convince her to come over. However, she feels like it's too late, and they both hang up. Holden then decides to hit the hotel's nightclub, but starts thinking about his younger sister, Phoebe. He remembers how smart and curious she is, similar to Allie. After arriving at the nightclub and being denied Scotch due to his age, he notices three ladies sitting near him. Thinking the other two look ugly, he asks the blonde for a dance. Turns out she's a pretty good dancer, but not a good conversationalist, which annoys Holden. After continuing on to dance with all three ladies and leaving, he has Jane once again in his mind. He reflects on how close they were, how special she is, and how mad he gets whenever he thinks of her with Stradlater. He then decides to go to Ernie's, a nightclub his brother, D.B., used to go to. On the cab ride, Holden once again asks the question about the ducks, which nearly leads to an argument between him and the cab driver. Once he arrives and gets seated, Holden criticizes how phony people can be, before Lillian Simmons, one of his brother's old flings, notices him. She's obviously more interested in hearing about D.B. than Holden, so Holden makes up an excuse to leave. Tired of cab drives, he decides to walk to the hotel instead. On the way, he reflects on how he tends to act tough, but doesn't actually get into fights. Once he arrives, the elevator guy asks him if he want's a "throw" with a prostitute, which Holden embarrassingly agrees to. While waiting for the prostitute, he confesses to being a virgin, albeit being close not to. Once the prostitute arrives, whose name is Sunny, Holden gets nervous, and decides he really just wants company. Obviously annoyed, Sunny demands $10, but Holden only pays up $5. After she leaves, he starts talking to Allie, which he often does when he's depressed. He then gets in bed and reflects on the Bible, Jesus, and Religion. Interrupting his thoughts, someone starts to loudly knock on his door. Nervously, Holden opens the door and it reveals to be Maurice, the elevator guy, and Sunny. Maurice wants the extra $5 that Holden "owes" Sunny, and resorts to punching him, until Sunny grabs it from his wallet. After they both leave, Holden imagines himself having a gun, and killing Maurice, and afterward, Jane recovering him. He then blames the movies for imagining this.
"No, but--"
"You're goddam right they don't," Horwitz said" (Salinger 101)
Reaction:
This conversation represents how despite Holden is going through depression, he still has a future laid out for him. Horwitz means that everyone has a fate, no matter who they are.
After leaving Pencey, Holden boards on a train to New York. While on board, the mother of one of his fellow classmates, Ernest Morrow, notices the Pencey sticker on his suitcase, and proceeds to sit next to him. Being his devious self, he introduces himself as Rudolf Shmidt, which is actually the school's janitor. He continues lying to her by telling her a false description of her son, until she got off at another stop. Finally arriving at his stop, Holden contemplates on who to call, but fails to think of anyone. He then hops on a cab, and asks the cab driver about the fate of ducks when it's winter, but doesn't know anything about it. Holden then checks in into the hotel, and enters his room. Before unpacking, he looks out his window, and observes a man trying on woman's clothing, and a couple squirting water into each others faces. He considers lying through the phone to talk to Jane, but decides he's not in the mood to lie. Remembering a phone number he received from a guy he knew, Holden decides to call it. The number belonged to a woman who wasn't exactly a prostitute, but occasionally was. When she picks up, Holden introduces himself with his real name, and tries to convince her to come over. However, she feels like it's too late, and they both hang up. Holden then decides to hit the hotel's nightclub, but starts thinking about his younger sister, Phoebe. He remembers how smart and curious she is, similar to Allie. After arriving at the nightclub and being denied Scotch due to his age, he notices three ladies sitting near him. Thinking the other two look ugly, he asks the blonde for a dance. Turns out she's a pretty good dancer, but not a good conversationalist, which annoys Holden. After continuing on to dance with all three ladies and leaving, he has Jane once again in his mind. He reflects on how close they were, how special she is, and how mad he gets whenever he thinks of her with Stradlater. He then decides to go to Ernie's, a nightclub his brother, D.B., used to go to. On the cab ride, Holden once again asks the question about the ducks, which nearly leads to an argument between him and the cab driver. Once he arrives and gets seated, Holden criticizes how phony people can be, before Lillian Simmons, one of his brother's old flings, notices him. She's obviously more interested in hearing about D.B. than Holden, so Holden makes up an excuse to leave. Tired of cab drives, he decides to walk to the hotel instead. On the way, he reflects on how he tends to act tough, but doesn't actually get into fights. Once he arrives, the elevator guy asks him if he want's a "throw" with a prostitute, which Holden embarrassingly agrees to. While waiting for the prostitute, he confesses to being a virgin, albeit being close not to. Once the prostitute arrives, whose name is Sunny, Holden gets nervous, and decides he really just wants company. Obviously annoyed, Sunny demands $10, but Holden only pays up $5. After she leaves, he starts talking to Allie, which he often does when he's depressed. He then gets in bed and reflects on the Bible, Jesus, and Religion. Interrupting his thoughts, someone starts to loudly knock on his door. Nervously, Holden opens the door and it reveals to be Maurice, the elevator guy, and Sunny. Maurice wants the extra $5 that Holden "owes" Sunny, and resorts to punching him, until Sunny grabs it from his wallet. After they both leave, Holden imagines himself having a gun, and killing Maurice, and afterward, Jane recovering him. He then blames the movies for imagining this.
Quotation:
"Listen," he said. "If you was a fish, Mother Nature'd take care of you, wouldn't she? Right? You don't think them fish just die when it gets to be winter, do ya?""No, but--"
"You're goddam right they don't," Horwitz said" (Salinger 101)
Reaction:
This conversation represents how despite Holden is going through depression, he still has a future laid out for him. Horwitz means that everyone has a fate, no matter who they are.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Pg.22-66)
Summary:
After Stradler arrives home and shaves, he ironically asks Holden to write for him his history paper. It is then revealed Holden is actually good in writing papers, but is discouraged to do so, to avoid suspicion of cheating. After horsing around, Holden asks Stradler who his date is. When he tells him it's Jane Gallagher, Holden nearly drops dead. Holden knows her because she used to live next to him, and they used to play checkers together. After Holden asks Stradler to send Jane his regards (which he probably won't), Ackley comes in and has dinnertime with Holden. After finishing, both Holden and Ackley go to town with Mal Brossard to eat hamburgers and play pinball. After returning to his room, Holden starts on Stradler's paper. He writes it about his younger brother, Allie, who died of leukemia. After Stradler comes back from his date with Jane, he takes a look at the paper. Dissatisfied with the fact it's not about a room or house, Holden rips it up. He then proceeds to ask about his date with Jane, which he explains went well. Holden isn't too happy with this, causing him to take a swing at Stradler, but misses. Stradler manages to get Holden on the floor, and holds him down with his knees. After arguing, and getting punched by Stradler, Holden goes to Ackley's room. There, he repeatedly prevents Ackley from sleeping, and nearly goes crazy thinking about Stradler's date with Jane. "Fearing" he's overstaying his welcome, Holden leaves Ackley's room, and decides to finally leave Pencey. He goes back to his room, packs, and screams out "Sleep tight, ya morons!" before leaving.
Quotation:
"That's just the trouble with all you morons. You never want to discuss anything. That's the way you can always tell a moron. They never want to discuss anything intellig--" (Salinger 44-45)
Reaction:
In this quote, Holden expresses his long-time hate of morons, and basically what makes him angry. Throughout the novel, Holden has shown resent on showoffs, morons, etc. Salinger uses this to support Holden's loathing feelings, commonly referred as teenage angst. I predict that later, Holden will at least get past hating nearly everyone.
After Stradler arrives home and shaves, he ironically asks Holden to write for him his history paper. It is then revealed Holden is actually good in writing papers, but is discouraged to do so, to avoid suspicion of cheating. After horsing around, Holden asks Stradler who his date is. When he tells him it's Jane Gallagher, Holden nearly drops dead. Holden knows her because she used to live next to him, and they used to play checkers together. After Holden asks Stradler to send Jane his regards (which he probably won't), Ackley comes in and has dinnertime with Holden. After finishing, both Holden and Ackley go to town with Mal Brossard to eat hamburgers and play pinball. After returning to his room, Holden starts on Stradler's paper. He writes it about his younger brother, Allie, who died of leukemia. After Stradler comes back from his date with Jane, he takes a look at the paper. Dissatisfied with the fact it's not about a room or house, Holden rips it up. He then proceeds to ask about his date with Jane, which he explains went well. Holden isn't too happy with this, causing him to take a swing at Stradler, but misses. Stradler manages to get Holden on the floor, and holds him down with his knees. After arguing, and getting punched by Stradler, Holden goes to Ackley's room. There, he repeatedly prevents Ackley from sleeping, and nearly goes crazy thinking about Stradler's date with Jane. "Fearing" he's overstaying his welcome, Holden leaves Ackley's room, and decides to finally leave Pencey. He goes back to his room, packs, and screams out "Sleep tight, ya morons!" before leaving.
Quotation:
"That's just the trouble with all you morons. You never want to discuss anything. That's the way you can always tell a moron. They never want to discuss anything intellig--" (Salinger 44-45)
Reaction:
In this quote, Holden expresses his long-time hate of morons, and basically what makes him angry. Throughout the novel, Holden has shown resent on showoffs, morons, etc. Salinger uses this to support Holden's loathing feelings, commonly referred as teenage angst. I predict that later, Holden will at least get past hating nearly everyone.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Pg.22-47)
Summary:
Holden starts off by stating how his dorm wing was named after a guy named, Ossenburger, after he donated some money to Pencey Prep. Holden is clearly irritated by him, and finds it hilarious when Edgar Marsalla, farts in the middle of a speech he is giving out. He arrives at his room, sits down on a chair, and starts to read a book. He states that despite being illiterate, he enjoys reading books by Ring Lardner and his brother D.B., and likes a book where you can call the author up. However, before he gets too into it, he hears Robert Ackley coming out from the showers. Holden viewed him as gross, and not too bright of a person. After trying to focus on his book with Ackley distracting him, Stradlater walks in. Ackley despises Stradlater, causing him to leave.
Quote:
"I got bored sitting on that washbowl after a while, so I backed up a few feet and started doing this tap dance, just for the hell of it. I was just amusing myself." (Salinger 29)
Reaction:
Holden starts off by stating how his dorm wing was named after a guy named, Ossenburger, after he donated some money to Pencey Prep. Holden is clearly irritated by him, and finds it hilarious when Edgar Marsalla, farts in the middle of a speech he is giving out. He arrives at his room, sits down on a chair, and starts to read a book. He states that despite being illiterate, he enjoys reading books by Ring Lardner and his brother D.B., and likes a book where you can call the author up. However, before he gets too into it, he hears Robert Ackley coming out from the showers. Holden viewed him as gross, and not too bright of a person. After trying to focus on his book with Ackley distracting him, Stradlater walks in. Ackley despises Stradlater, causing him to leave.
Quote:
"I got bored sitting on that washbowl after a while, so I backed up a few feet and started doing this tap dance, just for the hell of it. I was just amusing myself." (Salinger 29)
Reaction:
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Pg. 1-22)
Summary:
Right from the beginning of the story, we are told by the main character, Holden Caulfield, not to expect a clichéd, detailed, background of his life. He just mentions his parents and how his brother, D.B., is in Hollywood. He then starts off the story by stating that he's getting kicked off his school, Pencey Prep., in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. At the same time, there's a football game going on against Saxon Hall, which he wasn't attending. Instead, he's on his way to meet his Mr. Spencer, his former history teacher. Now, he explains that he's getting kicked out of Pencey because he's failing four subjects. Holden then goes on to run to Mr.Spencer's house. After arriving and greeted by Mrs. Spencer, he finds Mr. Spencer in his room. Holden engages in a few conversations with him about being kicked out, his parents, and his horrible History exam paper. Before he could go on any further, Holden makes up an excuse to leave Mr. Spencer, after being uncomfortable both physically, and emotionally.
Quotation:
I'm lucky, though. I mean I could shoot the old bull to old Spencer and think about those ducks at the same time. It's funny. You don't have to think too hard when you talk to a teacher.
Reaction:
I find the narration style Salinger writes in to be more realistic. It does seem like Holden is telling the story, due to the unconventional storytelling, and his opinions.
Right from the beginning of the story, we are told by the main character, Holden Caulfield, not to expect a clichéd, detailed, background of his life. He just mentions his parents and how his brother, D.B., is in Hollywood. He then starts off the story by stating that he's getting kicked off his school, Pencey Prep., in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. At the same time, there's a football game going on against Saxon Hall, which he wasn't attending. Instead, he's on his way to meet his Mr. Spencer, his former history teacher. Now, he explains that he's getting kicked out of Pencey because he's failing four subjects. Holden then goes on to run to Mr.Spencer's house. After arriving and greeted by Mrs. Spencer, he finds Mr. Spencer in his room. Holden engages in a few conversations with him about being kicked out, his parents, and his horrible History exam paper. Before he could go on any further, Holden makes up an excuse to leave Mr. Spencer, after being uncomfortable both physically, and emotionally.
Quotation:
I'm lucky, though. I mean I could shoot the old bull to old Spencer and think about those ducks at the same time. It's funny. You don't have to think too hard when you talk to a teacher.
Reaction:
I find the narration style Salinger writes in to be more realistic. It does seem like Holden is telling the story, due to the unconventional storytelling, and his opinions.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Way I Am by Eminem (Pg. 75-110)
Summary
Eminem begins with another story from his childhood. One day, he was bleeding from the brain, after being beaten up in his school's bathroom. After recovering from the days of losing conscienceless, he picked up the ability to react quickly, verbally or physically. Along with comebacks, Eminem learned how to incorporate humor into his music, which eventually leads to the creation of Slim Shady. He imitates a lot of people, and includes them in his songs/skits. Eminem then describes how he tries to visually show his humor on his music videos. He then credits his sense of humor to D12.
Quotation
"I like to do skits like these because some of my songs, well, they're dark. I don't want to record 13 or 14 tracks like that in a row-I'd probably flip out and kill someone. Also, you don't want to just keep hitting people over the head with dark songs. Sometimes you can get people's attention and hold it longer if you put in lighter things like little skits and interludes." (Eminem 82)
Reaction
This quotations explains why humor is important for his music. Since Eminem frequently raps about serious issues, he finds relief for both himself and his fans, when he jokes in between songs. His skits usually include prank calls, mimicking, or a parody of someone else, to lighten up the mood of the album.
Eminem begins with another story from his childhood. One day, he was bleeding from the brain, after being beaten up in his school's bathroom. After recovering from the days of losing conscienceless, he picked up the ability to react quickly, verbally or physically. Along with comebacks, Eminem learned how to incorporate humor into his music, which eventually leads to the creation of Slim Shady. He imitates a lot of people, and includes them in his songs/skits. Eminem then describes how he tries to visually show his humor on his music videos. He then credits his sense of humor to D12.
Quotation
"I like to do skits like these because some of my songs, well, they're dark. I don't want to record 13 or 14 tracks like that in a row-I'd probably flip out and kill someone. Also, you don't want to just keep hitting people over the head with dark songs. Sometimes you can get people's attention and hold it longer if you put in lighter things like little skits and interludes." (Eminem 82)
Reaction
This quotations explains why humor is important for his music. Since Eminem frequently raps about serious issues, he finds relief for both himself and his fans, when he jokes in between songs. His skits usually include prank calls, mimicking, or a parody of someone else, to lighten up the mood of the album.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Way I Am by Eminem (Pg. 31-75)
Summary
Eminem is now explaining how his new persona, Slim Shady, impacted his musical style. Slim Shady is the rapper who rapped about the most ridiculous things, as Eminem describes it. He viewed it as refreshing, because it gave him a new approach to his music. Eminem then ponders on how to balance between performing as Eminem, Marshall Mathers, and Slim Shady. He wondered about where to draw the line. He then starts describing is rise to fame, and dealing with crazy fans and the media. For example, Eminem tells a story of how two girls were staring at him once, when he was flying coach in an airplane. He uses this example to wonder if he's ever going to be able to do normal things once again. Eminem then has a flashback to when it all started. His first single, "My Name Is", is known to be the song that launched his career, but it went through several lyric changes. His producers were considering dropping it, because of its controversial lyrics.
Quotation
"I want to bring people together. I feel like that can be my biggest contribution to Hip-Hop." (Eminem 75)
Reaction
Once again, Eminem showcases his literary skills, apart from lyrics. He's able to make his autobiography flow well, and make it interesting. He's able to easily do this, because of his passion for music, according to this quote. The reader is able to understand how this quote ultimately relates to his whole life.
Eminem is now explaining how his new persona, Slim Shady, impacted his musical style. Slim Shady is the rapper who rapped about the most ridiculous things, as Eminem describes it. He viewed it as refreshing, because it gave him a new approach to his music. Eminem then ponders on how to balance between performing as Eminem, Marshall Mathers, and Slim Shady. He wondered about where to draw the line. He then starts describing is rise to fame, and dealing with crazy fans and the media. For example, Eminem tells a story of how two girls were staring at him once, when he was flying coach in an airplane. He uses this example to wonder if he's ever going to be able to do normal things once again. Eminem then has a flashback to when it all started. His first single, "My Name Is", is known to be the song that launched his career, but it went through several lyric changes. His producers were considering dropping it, because of its controversial lyrics.
Quotation
"I want to bring people together. I feel like that can be my biggest contribution to Hip-Hop." (Eminem 75)
Reaction
Once again, Eminem showcases his literary skills, apart from lyrics. He's able to make his autobiography flow well, and make it interesting. He's able to easily do this, because of his passion for music, according to this quote. The reader is able to understand how this quote ultimately relates to his whole life.
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