The Catcher in the Rye
PART 4 Chapters 21 to 26
useful vocabulary
p. 142 break (of luck / lucky break): coup de chance; smack into = right into; p. 146 it stinks (sl): c’est nul; p. 150 he’ll give me hell(sl)= he’ll tell me off; p.151 pimply: boutonneux; p.154 a turtleneck sweater: un pull à col roulé; p.164 oiled up(sl):drunk; p.166 stick to one’s guns(inf): ne pas en démordre; p.168 what I’m driving at: où je veux en venir; p.172 holler(sl):gueuler; petting and patting: caresser et tapoter; p. 176 a sore: une blessure; p.177: scraggy: décharné; p.178 giggle: rigoler; bum a ride(inf)= hitch-hike; p.180 take a leak(inf)=pee;p.183 have a yellow streak(inf): be a coward; p.184 hit the road:prendre la route
These last six chapters revolve very much around Holden’s relationship to two characters: Phoebe and Mr Antolini. In their conversations, we are given a deeper insight into Holden’s views, disillusions and aspirations, what troubles him and what he fantasizes about.
· First, draw a list of what appeals to Holden, what makes him happy, as opposed to what sickens him.
· Even though Mr Antolini sees very clearly through Holden’s depression, he himself contributes to worsening the boy’s state. Why?
· Is it the same with Phoebe when she makes Holden mad at her (chapter 25 p. 185-186)? Why? Draw a conclusion.
· On several occasions, Holden tells about his encounters with children. Study the meeting at the museum of art (p. 182-183). Can you see any metaphorical meaning in the place? the exhibit? the unnerving thoughts about his tombstone?
· Why does Holden want to save kids from falling off the edge of a cliff? What does it stand for?
· Compare his vision of himself as “the catcher in the rye” (chapter 22 p. 156), his ideal of a lawyer “saving innocent guys’ lives all the time” (p. 153), and his picture of himself as a “poor deaf-mute bastard” living alone in his cabin out West (chapter 25 p. 179): what does the change reveal?
· What could account for Holden’s sudden experience of happiness at the end of the novel (chapter 25 p. 190)?
· Chapter 26, the epilogue is also bringing us back to where the novel began. One might say it is rounding off the novel. Where would you say he is then? Why? What were your impressions when you read this? In what way does it justify or account for the very original narrative form? (the spoken language features; Holden’s voice and his silent interlocutor’s…)
More thoughts on your reading? write them down…