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The Catcher in the Rye – Study Guide

Chapters 1 – 2

  1. Where is Holden at the VERY beginning of the story?
  1. Who is Selma Thurmer? What does Holden think about her?
  1. Why was Holden kicked out of Pencey Prep?
  1. In the conversation between Holden and Mr. Spencer, who appears to be comforting whom? How is this ironic?
  1. Why does Holden think about the ducks in Central Park while he is with Mr. Spencer?
  1. Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills?
  1. Who was Mr. Haas? What was he like?
  1. Why wouldn’t Holden be going back to Pencey after Christmas break?
  1. What advice does Mr. Spencer give Holden? How does he react to his teacher’s advice?

Chapters 3 – 6

  1. What is Holden’s opinion of Mr. Ossenburger? On what does he base that opinion?
  1. What kind of hat does Holden wear? Why does he wear it?
  1. Describe Ackley. Why does he hate Stradlater?
  1. What does Holden mean when he calls Stradlater a "secret slob?"
  1. How does Holden react to Jane Gallagher’s name? What especially does he remember about her?
  1. Why does Holden decide to write about Allie?
  1. How did Allie die? What did Holden do after he died?
  1. How does Holden react to Stradlater taking Jane out?
  1. What does Stradlater ask Holden to do for him? About what?
  1. How old was Holden when Allie died? How old was Allie?
  1. What are two details Holden offers about Jane?
  1. Why does Holden tear up the composition he wrote for Stradlater?
  1. How does Holden meet Jane? Other than play checkers, what is something they do?
  1. Why is Holden so upset about Stradlater’s date with Jane Gallagher? Why did Stradlater hit Holden?

Chapter 7, 8, 9

  1. What does Holden think about doing with his life? What does he actually do?
  1. What does Holden get depressed about before he leaves school?
  1. What is Holden’s final gesture before leaving the school?
  1. What happens to him as he’s about to leave?
  1. What are two details Holden offers about Phoebe?
  1. What happens on the train ride from Pencey? Give two specific details.
  1. Who is Ernest Morrow?
  1. What does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow about her son? Why does he tell her that?
  1. Since Holden lies so much in Chapter 8, would you say that he, too, is a phony? Why/why not?
  1. How do Holden’s lies differ from those of other people?
  1. Who is Sally Hayes and why doesn’t Holden call her?
  1. What does Holden ask the cab driver?
  1. What are two things he sees from his window at the hotel?

Chapter10, 11

  1. What are details he offers about Phoebe? Give at least 3.
  1. Why does he like her (besides the fact that she is his sister?)?
  1. What is it that Holden likes about Jane Gallagher? (She’s the only person to whom he shows Allie’s glove.)
  1. Why does Holden kiss Jane? Is it a sexual gesture? Why/why not?
  1. Why does he stop telling us about Jane? (p.80)
  1. What sorts of things/people does Holden seem to like?
  1. What sorts of things/people does Holden seem to dislike?
  1. What do his likes and dislikes reveal about his character?
  1. What does Holden do at the Lavendar Room? What does he say about the people there?

Chapters 12 – 14

  1. In what way does Lillian Simmons represent the shallowness of society?
  1. Why does Holden hate fist fights?
  1. Why does he get depressed with Sunny?What is ironic about this?
  1. Why does Holden, a self-admitted coward, fight Maurice over a measly $5.00?

Chapters 15-16

  1. In what context does Holden finally mention his father?
  1. Who is Holden's favorite character in Romeo and Juliet?Why?
  1. Why does he give the nuns $10?
  1. What does Holden find attractive about the family he follows down the street? (Note the song that the child is singing.)
  1. What scene in Hamlet does Holden like best? Why?
  1. How is his decision not to enter the Museum of Natural History important to the novel?
  1. Why do you think Salinger refers to Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet?

Chapters 17-19

  1. List three specific things that happen during Holden and Sally’s date.
  1. Why does Holden comment that "She wouldn't have been anybody to go with" after he fights with Sally?
  1. What are Holden's feelings about war?
  1. Compare and contrast Holden and Luce.
  1. What happens at the Wicker Bar?
  1. Why is Holden obsessed with phoniness? Is his attitude justified (right or wrong)? Why ?

Chapters 20-23

  1. Where does Holden go after he calls Sally from the Wicker Bar? What does he look for?
  1. Holden dons his hunting cap as he leaves the bar and goes out into the night. How is this a symbolic gesture?
  1. How does Holden's mood change when he see Phoebe sleeping?
  1. What is Phoebe's reaction to Holden?
  1. Who is James Castle? Why is he important?
  1. What are two things Phoebe chastises Holden about?
  1. What does Phoebe give Holden at the end of the chapter?Why does Holden cry? What does he give her in return? What can that gesture be symbolic of?

Chapters 24-26

  1. What kind of a relationship do Mr. and Mrs. Antolini have?
  1. Basically, what does Mr. Antolini tell Holden?
  1. Summarize the advice that Mr. Antolini gives Holden. How does that relate to the title, and main idea, of the novel?
  1. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini's house?
  1. What signs indicate Holden's impending breakdown?
  1. What is the importance of the foul language Holden discovers when he is about to deliver a note to his sister?
  1. What happens to Holden in the museum?
  1. Where does Holden take Phoebe at the end of the story? What happens there?
  1. What does Holden learn about his desire to be the protector of all children as he watches Phoebe on the carousel?
  1. What is happening to Holden at the end of chapter 25?
  1. Where does Holden end up?
  1. What is Holden's answer when the psychoanalyst asks him if he will apply himself when he goes back to school?” (213).What do you think this indicates about Holden?