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Catcher in the Rye: empathic task

A. THINKING ABOUT CHARACTER

In order to be able to do an empathic task you must be able to adopt the “voice” of one of the characters. This means really knowing that character well. Can you describe your character in detail?

-his physical appearance

-his background

-his environment

-his feelings towards those around him

-What does he want?

-What are his main actions?

-How is he different at the end from at the beginning?

B. SOUND KNOWLEDGE

When you are writing your empathic task, you must show SOUND KNOWLEDGE of the work studied. What does this mean?

It means that you should really understand how your character functions – how would he / she react in a certain situation.

You also need to refer to key moments and incidents in the story. This will show that you know the novel well.

You MUST NOT just retell the story. An empathic task must not give a linear account of what happens.

Look at the two examples below and then comment on them.

Question: You are Holden thinking about the moment when Phoebe met you at the Met museum. Imagine your thoughts.

Example A

Phoebe came trundling up the steps of the Met carrying that huge suitcase. I checked the suitcase at the Met checkroom and tried to walk her back to school but she wouldn't talk to me. She kept turning her back on me! So I thought if I offered to take her for a walk to the zoo she might come around but she just ran right out into the street with out even looking to see if any cars were coming. Anyway, I started walking towards the zoo, and Phoebe followed me walking on the other side of the street.

Example B

I feel so guilty when I think about how I yelled at old Phoebe when she thought she could come and live out west with me. She would've given up her friends and being Benedict Arnold in that crazy school pageant just to what? Just keep me company or something? She must be the only person in the whole universe who even came close to understanding just how lonely and damned depressed I was feeling. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. She sure was right to be sore at me and turn her back and all after I checked my crazy old suitcase at the Met. She nearly killed herself dragging it up Fifth Avenue for chrissake. I was swearing and yelling at her like a madman. I felt so angry I even thought I was going to smack her. I don't know why I felt so mad at her but I really did. She should have just let me leave and forgotten all about her crazy madman brother. But not Old Phoebe, she followed me to the zoo, tears running down her cheeks and all from crying. When a double-decker bus came by and I couldn't see where the hell she was, I got so scared she'd disappear. I felt as if I needed her more than the air I was breathing.

Q. Answer the questions about the two empathic tasks:

a. What knowledge of the story do they show?

b. Which one is too linear and does not offer enough reflection on what has happened?

c. Which one makes reference to the character’s background?

d. Which one even uses colloquial language just like Holden's in the novel?

Other comments??

C. ADOPTING A VOICE

It is hard to adopt someone else’s voice but try to think about HOW you could show elements of that character’s personality. For example, we know that Holden feels frustrated because he can't take on the responsibility for Phoebe. How can you show that in your writing?

Holden: Couldn't Phoebe understand that there was no way I could take her with me?

You also need to study the typical vocabulary and expression of your character. What evidence is shown of this in example A? Example B?

D. SUMMING UP: Remember the following points when doing your empathic task.

- If you choose an empathic task you will be asked to consider a particular moment in the text through one of the character’s eyes.

- To complete this task successfully you will need to show knowledge of the incident concerned, what has led up to it, what happens to the character later and detailed knowledge of the text and the character.

- You will need to fully understand and be able to interpret a character, use the character’s usual responses and show an overall understanding of how the character behaves in the text as a whole.

- The style adopted must be suitable to the character. For example, an aristocratic character would not use colloquial language. Try and think of any phrases a particular character might use.

- You must write as the character, therefore using the first person narrative – not ‘If I were Fiona, I would....’ but ‘I feel homesick and want to return to my family in Brighton...’

Key points for a good answer:

  • First person narrative
  • Show comprehensive knowledge of the text
  • Show knowledge of a particular character’s role
  • Show a character’s likely reactions
  • Use a suitable style.

Now choose one of the following topics and plan an emphatic task for Catcher in the Rye. Try to adopt an appropriate voice. Aim for an A grade! Remember that coursework is worth 30% of your final grade in the IGCSE so it is worth making an effort to do a really good price of work.

1.You are Holden watching Phoebe on the carrousel. Imagine your thoughts.

2.You are Holden walking to the movies just after the fight with Sally Hayes. Imagine your thoughts.