In a message dated 10/10/1999 5:22:19 PM Central Daylight Time, lost_hopes@hotmail.com writes: << The teacher I have, however, seems discredit and devalue a lot of the ideas I bring up in her class because I like Salinger yet not all of Vonnegut. >> I'm also in high school and involved in the (argh) AP program. My English AP teacher last year got really annoyed every time we would do an open prompt essay, mainly because every time we would have to cite a literary work for support, I'd pick a Salinger work. And then she really got annoyed when I was one of the many who strongly voiced their disliking of The Scarlet Letter. I'm a firm believer that there is no set repertoire of good literature. Therefore, any deviation from someone else's likings/dislikings shouldn't be scrutinized. I have, however, found refuge in my Creative Writing class. The teacher there is completely open minded and welcomes my Salinger inclination. She also lets me break free of the AP style of writing (concrete detail, commentary, commentary), and let's me write what sounds good to me, not what I think would sound good to someone else. The end product has been quite wonderful, if I may say so myself. The entire glass is refreshing after an hour of timed writing in AP. Also, could you tell me which of Vonnegut's books you didn't like? I just finished Slaughterhouse Five and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd be open to any discussion... ...andrew