qetuo 1 / - Sep 17, 2009 #1In catcher in the rye, Salinger uses the repetition of particular words and phrases to further express the confusion and frustration of Holden Caulfield. Three major examples of words and phrases that are used as motifs include,'phonies','that kills me' and 'if you want to know the truth'.this is my thesis statement. do you think is it okay?it has to bearguable: the reader can legitimately disagreespecific: name precise details, such as characters and literary techniquesclear: easily understandablesuccinct: se minimal words to state the point
Llamapoop123 7 / 442 Sep 17, 2009 #2'phonies''if you want to know the truth'In catcher in the rye, Salinger uses the repetition of particular words and phrases to further express the confusion and frustration of Holden Caulfield.Holden doesn't call people phonies out of frustration...
EF_Simone 2 / 1,986 Sep 17, 2009 #3I guess that means that the thesis statement fulfills the requirement of being "debatable"!I'm with Boxin, though. I do think that those three phrases function as motifs, but I think that they express the character and preoccupations of Holden rather than his confusion and frustration.
Llamapoop123 7 / 442 Sep 18, 2009 #4I guess that means that the thesis statement fulfills the requirement of being "debatable"!^Well yes haha...if the author can argue his point then it's all cool :]
rebeccasayshey 2 / 8 Sep 28, 2009 #5I was always taught that in the thesis you don't use examples? In my opinion, the last sentence should be taken out.
pulp 7 / 20 Oct 6, 2009 #6If you want to focus on Holden Caulfield's confusion and frustration, maybe reading J.D.Salinger's other stories about Holden, such as I'm crazy, can be helpful.