Want to engage more with the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger? Check out our review from Annelise to find out more about the book, then participate in a new project relating to it!
In the novel, Holden mentions a keepsake from his brother, a mitt with poems written in green ink, described in Chapter 5:
“My brother Allie had this left-handed fielder's mitt. he was left-handed. The thing that was descriptive about it though, was that he had poems written all over the fingers and the pocket and everywhere. In green ink. He wrote them on it so that he'd have something to read when he was in the field and nobody was up to bat. He's dead now.”
- Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye
This token conveys Holden's love for his brother, now deceased, as well as how unique and full of promise Allie was as a person and what a terrible circumstance it is that ripped him from this world. With this project, you can make a testament to Catcher in the Rye, Allie, and all of the unique and wonderful people taken too early. You personalize this project, choose your favorite poem and imprint it on your skin, making it into something you live by and think of, as well as perhaps turn it into a conversation. This tattoo is, of course, temporary, but then again so is our state of mind so it is quite representative of us at the time when we do it, though it lasts for about a month.
Hand of Poems Tattoo
Experience Required: None
Project Difficulty: Easy
Time To Do: 15 minutes
Materials
Paper
Pencil and Eraser
Thin Green Sharpie (you can really use any color, but to make it more specific I recommend green)
Baby Powder
Hairspray
Step 1
Choose your favorite poem, or if your favorite is too long, a snippet or stanza of your favorite poem. Find inspiration at poetryfoundation.org if you don't already have one in mind. My favorite is "Good Bones" by Maggie Smith, shown above, although I'll be replacing "s**thole" for "wreck". The poem is a bit long, but my writing is extremely small and I really don't mind having a lot of writing on my arm, though this is just my preference.
Step 2
Practice writing it down in pencil on paper in the size you want it first before writing on your skin. Then write it on paper again in the Sharpie you want to use.
Step 3
Draw the tattoo onto your body (obviously using your dominant hand). Place it wherever you want, I recommend on the back of your hand, if it'll fit, or the inside of your arm.
Step 4
Rub the tattoo with baby powder. Apply the hairspray lightly onto the tattoo. Don't use too much, or your skin will feel extremely dry. If you spray too much by accident, get a cotton swab and dab the area around the tattoo with water. And you're done! Enjoy the tattoo until it wears off in about a month and remove it with rubbing alcohol when ready.
Let us know how it went in the comments or share a final photo! For more projects and book reviews, check out our blog and website. Follow us on Twitter @nookblogger and on Instagram @_booknookblog or contact us at thenookblogger@gmail.com for book or project recommendations!
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