The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide

What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood "being a prostitute"?

He's using his talent for meaningless things, like TV Shows and movies when he could be writing some great novel.

Where is Holden as the story begins?

Sanitarium- a place where the wealthy go for the "rest cure" from "hysteria". (His story begins in Pencey Prep)

Where and what is Pencey Prep?

Agerstown, Pennsylvania. (close to NYC) An exclusive and expensive all boys boarding school.

How did Holden let the fencing team down?

He left their gear, foils, masks, helmets, etc. on a Subway train.

Why was Holden kicked out of Pencey Prep?

He was failing every class except for English.

What kind of health does Holden appear to be in?

He's a bad smoker, pale, physically and mentally weak, recovering from a breakdown.

Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him?

Holden's old history teacher; tells him to visit because he knew Holden wouldn't be coming back.

What did Mr. Spencer do that particularly annoyed Holden?

Reading Holden's failing history exam essay out loud and lecturing him about his poor academic performance and future.

What does Holden give us as a reason for "leaving" Elkton Hills?

He was surrounded by "phonies"

Give one example from the text that shows conformity:

Mr. Spencer tells Holden that life is a game with rules that need to be abided (agreed). Holden pretends to agree to be polite, but really rejects the idea.

Define "phony" (according to Holden):

"Anyone who is inauthentic, hypocritical, or acts like a cliché to fit into society"

What does Holden mean, "I'm illiterate, but I read a lot? Give examples of what he reads.

Holden does not read the academic books he is supposed to read, but rather the ones he wants to read by D.B. or the Ring Lardner.

Who is Ackley?

The guy who lives right next to Holden.

What does Ackley do that annoys Holden?

Ackley lacks good hygiene, personal awareness, and severe intrusive habits.

Who is Stradlater? Why does Holden refer to him as a "secret slob"? What does he look like?

Stradlater is Holden's roommate. A man the same height as Holden, yet twice the size, large shoulders, good build, with a heavy beard. He used the same crusty razor to shave, and always made sure he looked good first.

What point does Holden try to say about people when he talks about Stradlater and the "commas" and Ackley's description of the basketball player?

Holden tries to make the point that people will make excuses to hide their own talent of doing something, or avoiding ever being good at it.

Why did it make Holden nervous that Stradlater was going out with Jane Gallagher?J

ane used to be Holden's old next-door neighbor. He had some type of feelings from the time they spent together one summer. He believes that Stradlater is just interested in her for her looks.

Who is Allie, and why is his baseball mitt so special to Holden?

Allie is Holden's younger brother who died of leukemia at age 11. The left-handed mitt has poems written on the fingers in green ink that he read on the field. It shows his creative spirit, and is an emotional anchor Holden carries with him.

Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed?

On the night that Allie died, Holden punched out every single window in the garage with his bare fists. He is a disaster emotionally and mentally.

What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?

Holden and Stradlater fight over their differences with Jane. Holden knows her on a personal level from their past which Stradlater seems to only be interest in her for her appearance and intentions.

Holden says he is a "pacifist". What is that, and is he?

A pacifist is someone who steers away from all types of violence. Holden is not directly a pacifist due to the fact that he is aggressive and often initiates most of the conflicts he is in (2 fights).

Why does Holden suddenly decide to visit Ackley's room?

Holden wants to sleep in Ackley's roommate's bed, Ely, since he knows Ely wont be back until Sunday night.

Where does Holden then decide to go? (after Ackley's room)

Holden gets a room in a hotel in NYC.

What is his (Holden's) final good-bye to Pencey Prep?

Holden screams "Sleep tight, you morons!" before he leaves Pencey Prep.

Why do you think Holden was crying as he left?

Pencey Prep held lots of memories (good and bad) for Holden along with his overwhelming feelings of loneliness, depression, and fear.

What does Holden mean when he says, "Mothers are slightly insane"?

Mothers are blindly devoted to their children and incapable of seeing their flaws or problems.

What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow? Do you think he's as sorry for them as he stated?

Holden gives her a fake name, his reason for leaving Pencey Prep, and claiming he needs a brain tumor operation.

Holden calls other people phony. In what way is he one?

Holden lies about his past while on the subway with Mrs. Morrow, and then pretends to be an adult male while checking into and booking his hotel.

Who is Phoebe, and what is Holden's opinion of her?

Phoebe is Holden's little sister, and he thinks that she is a very smart and a good kid, but emotional. He would've called her up in the hotel but it was extremely late and he knew it was irresponsible for him to do so.

What evidence is there that shows us that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?

When Holden goes into the "Lavander Room", the bartender refuses to give him a drink unless he shows some form of ID which Holden will not do because of his age.

What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?

Holden and Jane were great friends before he moved to Pencey Prep. They would always hang out together almost every day, play checkers, go to movies, etc. They also had more romantic moments every once in a while, but nothing in a relationship way.

What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?

Holden and the cab driver bicker about what the ducks and the fish do when the lagoon in Central Park freezes over in the winter.

Why does Holden leave Ernie's?H

olden left Ernie's because he couldn't stand to listen to Ernie play another song, and he did not want to go sit with Lilliam Simmons and her Navy boyfriend.

Previously, Holden stated he was a "pacifist". Does his description of how he would deal with the "glove thief" support this, or is he just "yellow" (cowardly and fearful).

In this scenario, Holden is rather yellow due to the fact that he imagines such a vivid and specific scenario for this fight that he believes would occur, yet he is too much for a coward to have actually done something if this were to happen in his real life.

Does Holden have any guilty feelings about Allie? Do you feel this is abnormal in any way, or normal?

Holden feels guilty for not always inviting Allie to come hang out with him and Bobby at the pond. I don't think this is very abnormal as this may be Holden's way of recovering from his little brother's death, and not a weird dream of it.

What made Holden cry?

Maurice and the prostitute breaking into Holden's room to get the $5 he "owed" them made him cry since they destroyed his room, stole his wallet, and took money directly from it.

What evidence shows us that Holden might have made a good actor?

After Holden is knocked to the ground, he explains that he imagines his walk to the bathroom as if he was shot or stabbed and had his guts pouring out. It's his way of staying not only creative, but also generally young.

What is the point that Holden tries to make about people when he elaborates about the suitcases of the nuns and of his former roommates?

Holden tries to make the point that people are often quick to judge one another based on their physical possessions, like a suitcase that is not "pure leather".

How does Holden treat the nuns?

Holden is very nice to the nuns, giving them a $10 gift, and helping them with their luggage, baskets, etc.

Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?

Holden believes that most religions (specifically Catholics) always try to "convert" you to their religion by simply bringing it up. They like to prove how they are the superior religion.

Who does Holden make a date with? Why does he call her up if he thinks she's a phony?H

olden Caulfield makes a date with Sally Hayes because he is profoundly lonely and desperate for human connection after his isolating experiences in New York. Even though he considers her a "phony," her physical beauty and availability make her an easy fallback option when he lacks the courage to call Jane Gallagher.

How does Holden treat little kids? Give an example for the text.

Holden is very nice and approachable when he is speaking to little kids. On page 132 and 133, Holden treats a little girl, who knows Phoebe, to tie and adjust her ice skate, even offering to go get hot chocolate, or find a way to warm up.

Does Holden know his way around the city? What does this tell us about him?

Holden holds memories of the city close to his heart. He knows a lot about the Museum of Natural History, all the ins and outs and details of it. He also knew little shortcuts around the city, it meant a lot to him.

How does Holden's feelings for women compare to his feelings for men?

Holdens idoliszes and seeks to protect women as innocent and pure, while he views most men with suspicion, annoyance, or disgust as "phonis"

How does Holden feel about actors? How does he feel about the Lunts?

Holden dislikes actors because he views them as the ultimate example of artificiality and "phniness" he thinks that when performers are too aware of their own skills, they show off, which ruins their talent and makes them act like celebrities rather than real people.

What is Holden's point about the difference between men owning a car and men owning a horse?

When men own a car they are always talking about miles per gallon, cleaning it and polishing it, so why would they care so much for their car when its not a living thing, its just a machine?

How does Holden describe a boy's school when talking to Sally?

A place full of phonies where students only study to get rich, pretend to care about footbal, talk constantly and sex and liquor, and stick together in tight, sirty cliques.

Why does Holden want to take off with Sally now instead of after college? What's the difference in his eyes?

Holden wants to run off and become a lumberjack in a cabin in New England. He wants to do it now because he does not have a big chance to get to college because he can't pass high school. He has a fear of growing up so he wants to just move past and run away from everything. (growing up and adult responsibilities)

What is Holden's opinion of the Christmas show at Radio City?

It's phony, ridiculous, and lack in any real meaning. Look for quote on page 152.

Why did Holden think the woman who cried through the movie was a phony?

She wept over fictional sentiment while ignoring the real discomfort of her own young son.

Why did Holden get mad at Luce for calling his (Luce's) old girlfriend the "* of New Hampshire"?

Holden thinks that if a girl is nice enough to be intimate with a guy, he has no right to badmouth or degrade her later.

Who was Luce to Holden?

Luce was a very academically smart student advisor to Holden at the Whooton School and is three years older than Holden.

How does Holden "act" again in this chapter?

In the beginning, Holden drinks a lot while he is at the bar, an unsafe amount. He pretends like hes been shot and he walks arounds with a jacket on his stomach like when Maurice beat him.

What happens to Holden at the Wicker Bar?

Holden gets very drunk, and gets rejected by Valencia and has a nervous breakdown and cries. He calls Sally before this and tells her he would help her trim the tree on Christmas Eve.

What happens to Phoebe's record?

Holden drops her record and it shatters into a bunch of little pieces. He takes all of the pieces and puts them in his coat pocket.

Where does Holden go right after he leaves the bar?

Holden goes straight to Central park since he claims he knows it so well. He is glad that he doesn't see a single person walking around when he does. He goes to the duck lake and sits on a bench nearby.

What information does Holden finally tell us about Allie's funeral?

He did not attend because he was in the hospital after breaking all the garage windows.

What does Holden say about Allie that contradicts all his other statements about being an atheist?

Allie's body may be in the ground but his soul is in heaven.

After he leaves the park, where does Holden go?

Holden walks all the way home since it is not far, to visit Phoebe.

What does Holden find so intriguing about Phoebe's notebook?

Her notebook is full of her innocent, creative, and funny thoughts.

Why did it depress Holden when an "old guy" told him that his days at Pencey were the happiest days of his life?

Holden was miserable and lonely during his time at Pencey, so his days being compared to his "happiest days" makes a future that seems to have no hope.

What does it tell us about Holden when Phoebe states, "You don't like anything that's happening"?

Holden is deeply depressed and almost completely disassociated with the world around him.

Why does Holden think about James Castle when Phoebe asks him to name one thing that he likes a lot? Why does he deny really knowing James? What does it tell us about Holden when he says, "Just because somebody's dead, you don't stop liking them, for God's sake--especially if they were a thousand times nicer than the people you know that're alive and all"?

Holden thinks of James Castle because James represents pure, uncompromised honesty and a refusal to bow to the cruelty of the phony adult world. The tragedy really pains Holden since James worse his turtleneck sweater when he passed. The quote shows that Holden stays loyal to those he cares about even if they have passed away or are not with him physically anymore.

Who is Mr Antolini?

Mr. Antolini was Holden's English teacher at Elton Hills who took another job at NYU.

How does Phoebe cover for Holden when their parents come home?

Phoebe covers for Holden by claiming that she was the one smoking the cigarette that their mother smells in the room

In talking with her parents, how does Phoebe "sound like Holden"?

She uses his characteristic vocabulary and adopting a similar tone of cynical and "lousy" disgust

What does Phoebe do that makes Holden cry?

Phoebe gives Holden all of her Christmas savings (eight dollars and sixty-five cents) to help him after he tells her he is running low on money

What does Holden give to Phoebe?

Holden gives Phoebe the broken record "Little Shirley Beans" and his signature red hunting hat.

Why does Holden fail his speech class?

He actually likes when students move away from their assigned topics, and write different topics.

How does Holden feel physically while he talks to Mr. Antolini?

Holden feels lousy, dizzy, and sick, suffering from a bad stomachache, a headache, and great exhaustion.

What does Holden say about him hating people, such as Ackley and Stradlater?

Holden explains to Mr. Antolini that his frustration with people like Ackley and Stradlater is only temporary.

What does Antolini's quote mean, "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one"?

This quote means that true maturity is found in quietly and persistently sustaining your values through everyday life, rather than seeking dramatic, attention-grabbing self-sacrifice.

How does Antolini upset and scare Holden?

Antolini scares him by waking him up in the middle of the night and stroking or petting his head while he is sleeping on the couch.

Later, after he has had time to think about it, what does Holden think about Antolini?

Holden eventually realizes that his judgment might have been a bit off and starts questioning whether he jumped to conclusions about Mr. Antolini's intentions.

Why does the article on hormones upset Holden?

Holden concludes that he looks exactly like the person described as having "lousy hormones" and poor health.

What strange feeling does Holden start to have when he steps off of curbs?

He feels like he will never make it to the other side of the street and will just go down, down, down, and disappear where nobody will ever see him again

Why does he keep repeating, "Allie don't let me disappear"?

As a desperate plea for safety and connection while suffering a severe psychological breakdown