Episode 39 12/19/2022

“Plot analysis of ‘The Catcher in the Rye’”

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/plot-analysis/

veneer V-E-N-E-E-R

A thin layer of decorative wood or plastic used to cover a cheaper material; something that hides something else unpleasant or unwanted.

1. Lyrics of the famous Cantonese pop song “Eyes Wide Shut” talks about understandingly facing the not-so-beautiful underneath covered by an inadvertent veneer of a lover.
2. This Roman artifact was well veneered and gilded as if it were made of gold.

convalescence C-O-N-V-A-L-E-S-C-E-N-C-E

A period in which one convalesces or recovers.

1. Ruben’s reckless end of his own knee rehab unfortunately extended his convalescence.
2. Many people developed new interests and hobbies during long convalescence.

bemused B-E-M-U-S-E-D

Slightly confused

1. Holden Caulfield’s eccentric behaviors rendered people in his encounters bemused or agitated without himself even being aware of.
2. Despite an obviously bemused look, the students decided not to reconfirm the quest with the instructor before starting to work on the task.

incite I-N-C-I-T-E

To encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent.

1. The cult leader incited regional rebellions against law enforcement and central government.
2. Many innocent victims in the era of ‘the White Terror’ were accused of inciting crimes against the totalitarian government.

paragon P-A-R-A-G-O-N

A person or thing that is perfect or has an extremely large amount of a particular good characteristic.

1. Expecting others to be paragons of virtue and pan out the best possible scenario doesn’t seem to be the most reasonable hope to have.

Taiwanese should pride their country as the pioneer who established the paragon of democracy in Asia.