The Catcher Of The Rye By F. Salinger - 1386 Words

As a â€Å"gateway drug for a generation of teenagers,† Jerome David Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is a world-renowned phenomenon (Teicholz). On the surface it highlights a teenager’s mentally challenging journey of painfully trying to transition into adulthood, while also wanting to reject the adult world and seek refuge in his idealistic childhood recollections. However, these ideas can be analyzed on a deeper level, not only to better understand the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, but also to acknowledge the repressed or latent feelings of the book’s reclusive author, J.D. Salinger. A fictitious character is more than a figment of the author’s imagination; the character is a â€Å"product of the author’s experiences† (Polukis 4-5). Since a character in a work of fiction is a cumulative representation of the author’s experiences, readers can use the pretentious character of Holden to scrutinize the unvented ideas of the author, J.D Salinger. In fact, Salinger mirrors many elements of his real life in The Catcher in the Rye and bases several characteristics of Holden off of himself. Similarities include that Salinger was born in New York City, had unstable school conditions, left one or more schools due to academic troubles, attended the McBurney School alluded to in The Catcher in the Rye, was atypical, valued innocence, and wished to be isolated from society (Ducharme). Furthermore, in an article recognizing Salinger’s death, it states, â€Å"Holden is dead. Long LiveShow MoreRelatedThe Catcher Of The Rye, By F. Salinger1635 Words   |  7 PagesIn the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield, our protagonist, makes a mental journey in relation to dealing and coping with the grief accompanied with the death of his brother, and we are able to see how his mental status changes and how he needs guidance from loved ones. In this journey, he learns about how to make co nnections and that staying close to the people he loves can improve his outlook on life and overall mood. During the book, he isolated himself from others andRead MoreF. D. Salinger s Catcher Of The Rye1721 Words   |  7 PagesJ. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye features a complex narrative surrounding a troubled young student, Holden Caulfield. Difficulties he faces throughout the story force Holden to confront his fears of adulthood and maturation and the responsibilities therein through the difficulties he faces throughout the story. Academic controversy surrounds whether Holden learns from these confrontations and adjust accordingly, maturing throughout the story. While initially this seems rather subjective, a thoroughRead MoreF. Salinger s The Catcher Of The Rye1121 Words   |  5 Pagesnovels in English-speaking countries, J.D Salinger’s Catcher In The Rye deals with Holden Caulfield’s past trauma which is the triggering factor in his depression, anxie ty and alienation. Holden tells an unnamed person what has happened in the three days prior to his mental breakdown. Through Holden’s relatable characteristics and Salinger’s narrative treatment, the book continues to engage audiences across generations. The way that Salinger writes gives the audience a very personal and insightfulRead MoreThe Catcher Of The Rye By F. D. Salinger1795 Words   |  8 Pagesunderwent a tremendous change in structure as well as philosophy. J. D. Salinger’s book The Catcher in the Rye helped contribute to this revolution by highlighting new philosophies in literature. This is evident in pre-1950 writing as well as the changes that persisted through the remaining part of the decade, especially in the writing style popularized during the Great Depression. The Catcher in the Rye also contributed to a change in conflict. This conflict started as an external object to overcomeRead MoreF. Salinger s The Catcher Of The Rye1343 Words   |  6 PagesOften, Authors use specific objects, ideas, or characters to express larger meanings in the book, or in real life. In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Salinger uses many symbols in his novel to show the difficulties of Holden’s life. By includi ng the symbols of Holden’s red hunting hat, death, windows, James Castle, and the ducks, Salinger explores many of Holden’s inner thoughts and difficulties of growing up, especially with the loss of loved ones. The Red Hunting Hat that Holden wearsRead MoreThe Catcher Of The Rye, By F. D. Salinger1795 Words   |  8 Pagesunderwent a tremendous change in structure as well as philosophy. J. D. Salinger’s book The Catcher in the Rye helped contribute to this revolution by highlighting new philosophies in literature. This is evident in pre-1950 writing as well as the changes that persisted through the remaining part of the decade, especially in the writing style popularized during the Great Depression. The Catcher in the Rye also contributed to a change in conflict. This conflict started as an external object to overcomeRead MoreF. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1614 Words   |  7 Pagesshelves, also the best novel read in class. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel commonly found on psychopaths’ shelves and no one has ever found out why. It is a remarkable novel that has been banned in the past but is also studied today in schools around the world. In Mr. Capilongo’s grade 9 AP English class, three novels were read following the theme of â€Å"The teen experience†: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham. The classRead MoreF. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1709 Words   |  7 Pagescertain thoughts or actions from the eyes of others. Society tends to look down towards others who doesn’t follow in the majority’s footsteps. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden struggles to make sense of his thoughts. Many times, he makes judgements or vocalizes his thoughts which leads to many judgments placed upon him. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses society’s reactions to Holden’s struggle t o place himself within the society, in a light that emphasizes his behavior as irrational or in madnessRead MoreEssay about The Catcher in the Rye Should be Included in the Curriculum1083 Words   |  5 Pagesabout the inclusion of The Cather in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger in the high school english curriculum. This is such due to the inappropriate and adult oriented themes within If considered, many times within the novel the main character will face situations in which that the negative and vulgar themes will blossom into something meaningful that the reader can benefit from as a person and as a student. While the vulgarity and adult themes in The Catcher in the Rye are indeed inappropriate for adolescentRead MoreJD Salinger Research Paper1671 Words   |  7 Pages Jerome David Salinger, also known as J. D. Salinger, is a fascinating author best known for his novel, Catcher in the Rye. Although Salinger only published one novel, he wrote several short stories for magazines like The New Yorker and Story. A large number of these stories went on to be compiled into books such as Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction. Despite the fact Salinger has not published any stories in over 45 years, his reputation

Strategic Plan SWOTT Analysis - 2129 Words

Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis BUS/475 – Integrated Business Topics February 10th, 2014 Ryan Simpson Destination Fitness is a health club designed for the transportation industry specifically over the road drivers. Destination Fitness provides its clientele with a unique variety of fitness options, tools, and techniques that will allow each customer to build a fitness plan that meets their needs. The services that Destination Fitness will provide are a wide variety of fitness equipment, personnel trainers on staff, 24 hour access, health food restaurant that provide a wide variety of food, dieticians that will assist customers in creating healthy meal plans, environment free of gym intimidation, and†¦show more content†¦Destination Fitness, like most new businesses, will face a variety of economic issues. Whether it’s from internal weaknesses of the organization or external threats to the company, the organization must be prepared to overcome these obstacles. One of the biggest external threats to the economic success of Destination Fitness it the economy itself. A lthough the economy is steadily recovering from the recession, disposable income still comes at a premium for many people. In order to convince customers to become members they must, first and foremost, make it financially attractive to them. Keeping membership costs low will entice new customers through the door. After that it is up to the staff to make customers realize that their biggest investment should be to invest in their own health and well being. Another threat that Destination Fitness faces is the time constraints many drivers have. In order to meet there deadlines drivers have little time other than to sleep. In order to combat this, programs that are offered must utilize time efficiently and be able to bring results within strict time limits. This will also allow the trainers to assist more people and really give the customers the sense that Destination Fitness truly cares about their health, happiness, and livelihood. Legal/Regulatory It will be essentia l for Destination Fitness to determine the legal structure ofShow MoreRelatedStrategic Plan, Part Ii: Swott Analysis1393 Words   |  6 PagesStrategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis Tahitia G. Brown BUS/475-Integrated Business Topics April 18, 2012 Virginia A. Carter Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis Manning Solutions opened their doors to customers in the fall of 2012, in Tampa Florida. Its purpose is to aid small companies, whose budgets do not allow them to obligate revenue to staff their own human resources department. Their services include hiring, maintaining personnel records, pay-roll, and complaintsRead MoreStrategic Plan Part Ii Swott Analysis1446 Words   |  6 PagesStrategic Plan Part II Swott Analysis BUS/475 Ed Miller Strategic Plan Part II Swott Analysis Big Wheel Brewing is a new and innovative craft beer brewing company. Big Wheel Brewing is dedicated to bringing their customers craft brews of the highest quality. Big wheel beers are made for people who prefer quality over quantity. Taste is the most important thing when it comes to brewing fine craft ales. An internal and external analysis will be conducted to determine the factors that have anRead MoreStrategic Plan: Part Ii: Swott Analysis972 Words   |  4 PagesStrategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis BUS/475 August 1, 2013 Dr. Lenny Washington Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis Kohl’s is a U.S. department store chain that sells a mix of items including men s and women s apparel, home decor, and accessories. The department store appeals to middle-class consumers by selling discounted branded and  private label  clothing and home goods. Kohl s is in the same category of national department store competitors such as  J.C. Penney and  MacyRead MoreStrategic Plan, Part Ii: Swott Analysis1373 Words   |  6 PagesStrategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis BUS/475 SWOTT Analysis Today’s business world is one of many challenges; challenges with our Federal Government encroaching upon the business world with regulatory changes and restrictions, challenges with an ever-changing economic climate that seems to swing in either direction and challenges with both political parties that engage in meaningless finger-pointing, rather than looking for solutionsRead MoreStrategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis2637 Words   |  11 Pagesï » ¿ Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis BUS/ 475 SR Creative Design Inc. is a design and marketing corporation based in California that focuses on customer care as well as privacy in providing solutions of improving business activity. The mission statement, † SR Creative Design Inc. is coupled with creative minds that are devoted in delivering clients with comprehensive designs and or marketing solutionsRead MoreStrategic Plan, Part Ii: Swott Analysis Essay1403 Words   |  6 PagesStrategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis Neltresia McLellan Bus 475/ Integrated Business Topics Fritz Hibbler SWOTT Analysis Figure A provides the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats and Trends for Intelligent Resources Unlimited. The external and internal factors outlined in the table provide information necessary to identify the progression of the company. The factors will guide the strategic direction that upper management must consider for the good of the company. The internalRead MoreStrategic Plan, Part Ii: Swott Analysis1131 Words   |  5 PagesHeading: Strategic Plan, Part I: Conceptualizing a Business * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Strategic Plan, Part I: Conceptualizing a Business * * University of Phoenix * * Courtney Authement * * September 20, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Strategic Plan, PartRead MoreEssay on Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis BUS/4752354 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿ Strategic Plan, Part II: SWOTT Analysis Eduardo Arellano BUS/475 Dr. Tugtekin Gokaydin Octuber 2nd, 2013 SWOTT examination is a crucial systematic device used for evaluating both the external and internal elements, which have an influence over the company. In existing business conditions a corporation uses SWOTT analysis to assess it market standing regarding share of the market, competitive edge, and complete feasibility. SWOTT examination offers a company upgradedRead MoreEnvironmental Scan Paper1539 Words   |  7 Pagesan organization measures success to identify the effectiveness of a strategy. The author will identify the strategies of various companies and identify tactics that make the company successful. Competitive Advantage An organization that has a strategic advantage over its competitors that enables the organization to have greater sales and retain more customers is believed to have a competitive advantage. Many organizations have a competitive advantage within technological industries to include:Read MoreBUS 4751272 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ BUS/475 Strategic Plan Larry Myers October 21, 2012 Strategic planning is an important and vital part in running an organization for a variety of reasons. Strategic planning provides structure for all of the benefiting parties, whether it is the shareholders, executives, upper management or part time employees. Strategic planning allows everyone to be on the same page as far as where the organization is headed, it also helps employees understand the overall direction

Essay about Descartes´ Mental and Physical Substances

When Descartes published his ideas in his Meditations on First Philosophy, his ideas were not new, but nonetheless groundbreaking. He proposed there were two separate types of matter or stuff that can exist independent of each other. These are physical substances and mental substances. The physical can only occupy space in the real world, and cannot do any of the things we attribute to mental faculties, such as thinking and reasoning. Though the mental cannot be present in the material world, it can surely have an effect on what the physical body does. Substance dualism, therefore, gives way to the idea of an immortal soul that occupies a different realm than our physical bodies. The question then is how do the mental substances affect†¦show more content†¦Obviously this goes against common thinking, because one can easily see that mental states do matter and affect physical and brain states. The question then is how do they do so? 2. Functionalism and the Chinese Room Functionalism is the idea that brain states are equivalent to their functional roles within the brain itself. That is, functionalists are concerned with how these mental states are related to their causal role and how the functions are organized, much like software programs on a computer. Searle poses an argument against functionalism that he published himself, called the Chinese Room argument. Let’s say I was placed in a room full of boxes of Chinese characters, and I have a book that enables me to answer questions posed in Chinese. There is a computer on which I receive Chinese symbols, and unknowing to me, are questions. All I have to do is refer to the rule book and pick out the appropriate symbols from the boxes in the room and enter them back into the computer. It can be assumed that I can pass the Turing test for understanding Chinese while at the same time not understand a single word of Chinese. Therefore, although I have an under standing of Chinese syntax due to the rule book, I do not have a true understanding of the language because I cannot attach meaning to the symbols. Thus, the idea that mental states and thought can be equated with following a set of syntactic rules isShow MoreRelatedPhilosophy: Descartes Views on the Differentiation Between the Mind and the Body 897 Words   |  4 PagesDescartes views on the differentiation between the mind and the body has given rise to much thought regarding the interaction between these supposedly distinct substances. Through examining correlations between Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia it is evident that Descartes himself struggled to plausibly identify the interaction among the mental and material in relation to causation. This essay will investigate Elizabeth’s quires into the causational relationship between the mind and body by explainingRead MoreThe Mind-Body Problem Essay957 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween the mind and the body. Theorists, such as R enà © Descartes and Thomas Nagel, have written extensively on the problem but they have many dissenting beliefs. Descartes, a dualist, contends that the mind and body are two different substances that can exist separately. Conversely, Nagel, a dual aspect theorist, contends that the mind and body are not substances but different properties. However, although Nagel illustrates the problems with Descartes= theory, Nagel=s theory runs into the problem of panpsychismRead MoreAnalysis Of Elisabeth s Criticism Of Descartes Mind Body Dualism1398 Words   |  6 PagesPrincess Elisabeth’s Criticism of Descartes’ Mind-Body Dualism Renà © Descartes’ seventeenth century philosophy receives much of the credit for the basis of modern philosophy, specifically his argument that the body and the mind are completely separate substances, each with its own independence from the other, also known as dualism. Descartes was educated in the Aristotelian and Greek tradition, and those ideas influenced his dualist thought. In Meditations, Descartes focused on dualism in the contextRead MoreThe Mind Body Problem And Substance Dualism869 Words   |  4 Pagesbody separate substances of elements of the same substance? In this paper I wish to propose, and try to provide support for Descartes notion of the immaterial mind, by critically discussing the view of substance dualism, pertaining to the relationship between the mind and body. The two arguments of which I will provide in this paper to support this view are divisibility and disembodied existence. There are two fundamentally different substances in this universe, ph ysical and mental properties, thisRead MoreThe Mind / Brain Identity Theory1718 Words   |  7 Pagesthrough different mental and corporeal experiences. The former is associated with one having a (non-physical) mind, which contains beliefs, desires, feelings and so on, while the latter involves having a (physical) brain. The Mind/Body problem questions whether the mind and brain are the same or different objects. For a long time, the interpretation of these experiences has been much debated by philosophers and scientists. One influential interpretation is Descartes’s Dualism of substances, which becameRead MoreA Brief Biography of Rene Descartes1580 Words   |  6 Pagesof philosopher Rene Descartes, who had endorsed the mechanistic conception of the world and the human body by coining notions such as mind, substance, and the knowledge argument; although his notions were not always accepted, he managed to provide valid support. Born in France, Rene Descartes, dubbed The Father of Modern Philosophy was, in a way, a Renaissance man having contributed influence amongst subjects such science, mathematics, psychology, and philosophy. Descartes was the medium of theRead MoreEssay about Descartes Theory of Substance Dualism791 Words   |  4 PagesDescartes Theory of Substance Dualism Throughout the history of man, philosophers have tried to come up with an explanation of where our minds, or consciousness, came from and how we are able to have a nonphysical characteristic of ourselves. Does our physical brain automatically give us nonphysical characteristics like feelings, thoughts, and desires or is there something else there, the mind, that interacts with our bodies and makes us feel, think, and desire? Also, is the mind theRead MoreThe Common Notion Of Minds Essay1705 Words   |  7 PagesThe common notion about minds is that they are incredibly simple things that we should easily have the full extent of knowledge on since after all we are constantly using one. It seems completely self-evident as Descartes put it â€Å"I think there for, I am†, that we are a mind and that there is nothing strange going on up there but there is much more to the story here. It’s taken for granted far too much that we have any idea of what a mind is and is not. There are quite a numerous amount of differentRead MoreDescartes s Theory Of Mental And Physical Components Essay1438 Words   |  6 PagesDescartes, a well known philosopher, proposed that the mental and physical components are different things. Considering they are casual connections between the mind and body and the mind and body are two independent substances. I will argue that these premises proposed by Descart es are not reasonable and the theory which best accounts for the â€Å"problem of interaction† is the identity theory. Rene Descartes opposed that the mind was a separate substance from the body which then created the mind-bodyRead MoreEssay Socrates And Descartes On Dual693 Words   |  3 PagesSocrates and Descartes on Dualism Dualism means the complete separation of the mental world and the physical world. In philosophy, it is the theory that the universe is explicable only as a whole composed of two distinct and mutually exclusive factors: the mind and the body. Socrates and Plato are called dualists because they think that mind and body are separate and distinct substances. Mind is conscious and non-spatial and body is spatial but not conscious. While separate, these two substances interact

Poetry Paper Essay Example For Students

Poetry Paper Essay Poetry, dessert or the nasty veggies on your plate? As I opened up Billy Collins Sailing Alone Around the Room, I groaned aloud when I realized that it was a collection of his poetry. Poetry is a topic you either love or hate. Personally, I hate poetry, but I rather enjoyed reading this collection. With topics such as a cigarettes, books, and nightlife, there is a poem everyone can relate to on a personal level. Poetry in general is open to interpretation; Billy Collins specifically has a gift for relating to each Individual In his audience. He could reach me through poem about coffee and someone else with one about a dark nightclub. In Billy Collins Sailing Alone Around the Room he takes every objects and makes them memorable, or in his own words reader-friendly, hospitable, congenial, welcoming (Welch, par. 28). While his main aim is to ensure the reader enjoyment if they want it, deeper issues await them in between the lines. One of the poems that sticks out in my mind is Collins Introduction to Poetry. This poem Is an easy read that brings a smile to the readers face. While it is entertaining, If one digs deeper there is a bigger Issue waiting to be uncovered. We will write a custom essay on Poetry Paper specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The surface of the poem is pretty simple. It brings to life a poem and what it is supposed to be doing versus what the reader tends to do with it. The statement behind this poem is that some works are just meant to be taken as is. He wants to see them to water-ski across the surface of a poem waving at the authors name on the shore (Collins 16). The picture he paints with that Image reminds me off vacation. Normally one ones on vacation to escape all work, It Is a time to Just let the sun and day, or In this case, the poem, wash over you. He then switches too Blvd picture of ordure and pain, words some people, myself included, would use to describe poetry. The reader beings beating it with a hose to find out what it really means (Collins 16). More often then not, we are so concerned about what the hidden message is within the lines of the poem, most of us miss the simple pleasure of the words floating over us, we miss the feeling. The Image of the mouse and the light switch speak to the Idea that we need to Just feel our own way around the poem and find the interpretation that works for us so we reach the end of the puzzle or the light bulb turns on. He starts the poem off with the senses. This may be to invoke the attention of the reader. Personally, I think the reason behind the use of the senses is to get emotionally involved with the poem. A poem is a pleasure to the senses. The picture it creates, the smells, tastes, and sounds it causes the reader to recall all take place in the poem about poetry. Collins starts with sight (the slide) the sound (the hive). Then he moves back to sight (the mouse) and then feeling (the light switch). The water-skiing can depend on your memories. If you have been, maybe it recalls the smell of salt water. Then we are left with the sense of the feeling of the torturing of he poem. The last image almost provokes the reader to feel sympathy for the poem, making them want to give reading it another try. The other poem that has vivid Imagery and a powerful message for the advanced childhood with the picture of dolls and a huge dollhouse, where most children spent the majority of their free time. He then uses his imagination and puts himself in the dollhouse with the dolls. Again, something most people have done before. .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .postImageUrl , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:hover , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:visited , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:active { border:0!important; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:active , .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46 .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .udb2cbe2b391bfb00ee88fa3149536c46:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Non Conformity in "The Wave" by Morton Rhue EssayIt is something familiar. Underneath, the poem talks about being in control and being controlled. I thought that the poem sent an important subliminal message to the reader. While on the surface, it is obvious that Collins is talking about dolls and how the person they belong to controls their movements, on a less obvious level, the readers have to ask themselves who is controlling him by the end of the poem. Is he making a statement about society or our government? Maybe on a less depressing note he is talking about his writing. Some writers say their writing has a life of its own. They do not know where it takes them until they are there. I hesitate to say that is what he means because Collins does not make it sound like something he views as a positive event or something he even enjoys. The line Nerdy funny, but how would you like it if you never knew from one day to the next if you were going to spend it striding around like a vivid god (Collins 97) and the rest of the sentence makes it sound like he thinks it is a bad way to spend the day. The last line with your little plastic face (Collins 97) I feel has some significance. The plastic faces on Barbies are fixed expressions. They do not change and you cannot read their faces because of this. Maybe Collins is trying to express the idea that when you are being controlled by something, even your emotions, you put up a fade to protect yourself room your surroundings. You cannot often tell if someone is depressed or have personal issues from how they look. To take that a step further, the reason behind the secrecy of issues like that are society driven, which brings me back to the idea that he is making a statement about the role of society in our everyday lives. Again, the unique thing about poetry is that is could mean different things to different people. The interpretations that I came up with are not right, wrong, or the only way to read the poems. With Introduction to Poetry ironically enough, someone may not interpret the poem at all but take it for what it is. Some people may even be led to believe that Collins was making a statement about how people are taught to read poetry, not so much how they read it. Rather he may be focusing on the teaching methods for teaching poetry. The we in the poem may be the educational authority figures as a single body. With Some Days, some readers may interpret the poem as talking about a feeling of anonymity within society. He feels like he is Just another plastic face with a fixed expression in a brown suite. The last two stanzas may even indicate to someone that while you might be anonymous sometimes it is a good thing If you were going to Penn it striding around like a vivid god, your shoulders in the clouds (Collins 97). Even the idea that he had to include the line Nerdy Funny (Collins 97) indicates that he finds some humor or even lightheartedness in the situation. When all is said and done, Billy Collins Sailing Alone Around the Room is a good book to pick up no matter what your preference is in reading material. Coming from someone who does not find any enjoyment in poetry at all, it was a nice change of pace. Collins can take an everyday object such as a pencil holder or a pencil sharpener and make it into a two page long issue on society. If you have any poems that stood out to me might have some themes hidden below the surface of the words on the page, I strongly urge the reader to Just let the words be for the first few times you read the works. Then if you are really interested in digging for deeper meanings then knock yourself out. If nothing else, this collection has brought back the early days of reading where you Just enjoyed the sound and the meanings of the words, and not wondering what the author was really thinking when he/she wrote it. Take a vacation and read the book for what it is, words on a page.