The Catcher in the Rye Study Questions
The Catcher in the RyeOverview Questions Name: ______
English 9, Ms. Kanaday
Consider the following questions in the novel and answer; explain your thoughts using supporting details. You will turn these in to Turnitin.com on Wednesday, May 12 for a test grade.
GRADING:
“A” papers will use complete, well-constructed sentences, specific examples that demonstrate a strong understanding of the book, and thoughtful, well-connected insights.
“B” papers will have all questions addressed with complete sentences; answers will be more general than “A” level papers. Your own insights should be provided, as well. Sentences may have a few errors which are not distracting.
“C” papers may be less specific. Some questions may be framed in general concepts. The writing may be marred by mechanical or spelling errors, which are not distracting on the whole.
“D” and “F” papers may fail to address more than one question; Several answers may be generic or fail to adequately address the question(s) asked. The writing may be marred by distracting mechanical or spelling errors.
DIRECTIONS:
Please pledge at the end.
Late papers will lose a letter grade each day.
If you do not understand a question, you are responsible for coming in to ask me about it.
All of your work is on your honor that you have neither given nor received assistance.
1. Give your thoughts on the language and the writing style of the novel.
Chapters 1-8
2. What evidence do you see that Holden has difficulty “fitting in”? Is this actually a desire of his? Explain your answer.
3. Around the dorm, Holden constantly criticizes traits in others that he, himself, seems to have. What are some examples of these? Why might he find these traits so offensive?
Chapters 5 and 10:
4. What does Holden’s fascination with and attachment to Allie and Phoebe reveal about him? What qualities do they possess that he values greatly? Explain.
Chapter 9:
5. Who is Jane Gallagher? Why does she occupy so much space in Holden’s brain? Since she does, why can’t he manage to catch up with her?
Chapter 14
6. Based on the second paragraph of the chapter, explain what Holden finds so frustrating about religion. Does this fit his character?
7. Holden hates the movies, and any phony acting. Yet he is fascinated by theatricality,. Read his dying scene after the fight with Maurice (pp. 103-04), his comments on Hamlet (p. 117), or his remarks about movies (pp. 138-39). What can you say about the issues of authenticity and pretense as they relate to Holden Caulfield? That is, what can you say about his love/hate relationship with both reality and fantasy?
Chapters 9, 15, 17
8. These chapters all include Sally Hayes. Despite what he says about the difference between his priorities and hers, Holden seems to find a degree of comfort from being with her. Why is this? How is she similar to him? How is she different?
Chapter 22
9. One of Holden's classmates, James Castle, commits suicide by jumping from a dormitory window while wearing Holden's sweater. Why would Salinger include this detail about his clothing?
10. Instead of “If a body meet a body”, Holden thinks that the words of the Burns’ poem/song are “If a body catch a body.” What is the significance of this misunderstanding?
11. Explain the meaning of the title. Why is this image so appealing to him (think about where we have seen “catching” before, too) Is his desire to be a “catcher” realistic or even desirable to you? Explain.
Chapter 24
12. Mr. Antolini shares the William Stekel quote with Holden: “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” How does this quotation apply to Holden? Explain your answer using specific details from the book.
Chapter 25:
13. What could be the significance of the story taking place during Christmastime (see pages 196-98)?
14. Look closely at the passages where Holden talks about kids and the golden ring on the carousel. What does this mean? How does this apply to Holden?
15. When Holden describes himself as “so damn happy all of a sudden,” explain what you think has made him that way. How do we know it is more than just a rush of insanity overcoming him?
General:
16. Holden finds that many of his idols have feet of clay (ultimately do nothing) or that they are “phonies.” Give examples and explain. What pattern do you see here?
17. Of what is Holden most afraid?
18. How does humor factor into this story? What might this imply about Salinger’s view of the human condition?
19. Disappearance and erasure (the act of being erased by/erasing oneself from society) are two terms which crop up throughout the book. Trace a few of the incidents where these occur and explain their meanings.
20. Do you consider Holden an atheist? Explain, using specific examples from the text?
21. It has been suggested by some critics and readers that Holden is institutionalized because he has an underlying death wish? Do you agree with this reading? Why or why not?
22. Whom would you judge to be the least phony character in the novel? Explain your answer.
23. Whom would you judge to be the most phony character in the novel? Explain your answer.
PLEDGE YOUR WORK: