The Catcher in the Rye

Chapters 13 – 18 Questions

Chapter 13

1. What does Holden mean when he says that he is a “very yellow guy”?

2. What does Holden describe would have happened if he knew who had stolen his gloves at Pencey?

3. What does Holden say about being “yellow” afterward?

4. What does the man in the elevator offer Holden?

5. What does Holden reveal about his virginity? What explanation does he give?

6. As Holden hangs up the prostitute’s dress, what does he tell us about himself and his feelings about her?

7. Is Holden agitated or glad that the prostitute is sitting in his lap?

Chapter 14

1. How is Holden feeling at the beginning of chapter 14?

2. What does Holden tell us about his religious beliefs?

3. What does Holden tell us about the usefulness of Jesus’s apostles?

4. Who is Old Childs? What does Holden tell us about him?

5. Who was at the door and what did they demand Holden give them?

6. What did Holden do when Sunny took five dollars from his wallet?

7. What does Holden imagine he is going to do?

8. What does Holden tell us he feels like doing at the end of chapter 14?

Chapter 15

1.Who does Holden decide to call at the beginning of chapter 15? How does he feel about her?

2. Sally uses a word that Holden hates. What is it?

3. Sally discusses something with Holden. What does she discuss?

4. As Holden is eating breakfast, who sits down next to him? What does he give them?

5. What does Holden discuss with the two nuns?

6. What does Holden say Catholics are always trying to do?

Chapter 16

1. What does Holden want to buy Phoebe? Why does he buy this specifically?

2. Holden hears something that makes him feel better – what is it?

3. In the pharmacy, who does Holden call?

4. What does Holden say about Sally and being phony?

5. Why didn’t Holden enjoy seeing “Hamlet” with DB and Phoebe?

6. What does Holden say happens every time you visit a museum?

Chapter 17

1. How does Holden feel when he sees Sally Hayes at the theater?

2. How does Holden explain his saying “I love you” to Sally Hayes?

3. Based on what Holden tells us about Sally, how does he feel about her?

4. What bothers Holden about Sally when they are outside with everybody smoking?

5. How does Holden describe the conversation Sally and George are having?

6. Why does Holden nearly hate Sally by the time they get into the cab?

7. What does Holden ask Sally while they are inside the restaurant?

8. What does Holden say to Sally about the shape he is in? Is he being honest, or he is lying? How do we know?

9. What is Holden’s idea and how does Sally respond? Does she seem to agree or disagree?

10. How do Holden and Sally feel about one another by the end of their date?

11. What mistake does Holden make and how does Sally respond?

12. What does Holden reveal at the very end of chapter 17?

Chapter 18

1. Who does Holden want to call in the beginning of chapter 18?

2. What did Holden think of the show at Radio City?

3. Why did Holden call Carl Luce although he didn’t like him very much?

4. What do we learn about D.B?

5. Holden tells us about a few more books that he likes. What are they?

6. Which book does Holden tell us he is crazy about?