D.B., Holden's brother, is a Hollywood writer. Holden does not like this and thinks he is a phony.
He goes to a boarding school called PenceyPrep, where he struggles with academic pressures and social interactions, further intensifying his feelings of alienation and disconnection from those around him.
Holden is a “loner.”
Holden was the manager of the fencing team at Pencey.
He left the fencing equipment on a train while they were in New York, causing them to have to come home early.
Holden got kicked out of Pencey after flunking all of his classes except English.
Holden thinks old people are useless.
He likes the idea of the simple things in life.
Holden was raised to be very polite and had exceptional manners
A lot of things annoy Holden
Grippe means the flu
Holden complains a lot
Holden was sixteen during the time of the book and seventeen while writing the book.
Holden sometimes enjoys acting like a child.
Holden does not really care about school, it shows this when Holden leaves a note to Mr. Spencer on his history test saying that it is okay to flunk him.
Holden is very interested in where the ducks go in central park- only a kid would think about this.
Holden often points out others’ bad manners
Holden hates when people say, “Good Luck” because it sounds terrible.
Holden was a junior in Highschool
At Pencey he lived in the Old Ossenburger Memorial Wing.
His roommate’s name is Ward Stradlater
In his dorm, Holden was reading, Out of Africa, by Isak Dissan
His favorite author is his brother, DB
Holden’s neighbor Ackley, hated Stradlater, and would not go anywhere near him
Ackley hated almost everyone
Holden is sarcastic when he is in a mood
Holden horses around a lot when he is bored
Stradlater is very generous and friendly but Holden thought that he was phony
Stradlater is a Secret Slob while Ackley is just a Slob
Holden hates movies but enjoys imitating them.
Holden gets very upset when he find out that Stradlater was going out with Jane Gallagher, his old friend who he liked
They get steak on Saturday nights because they know that most parents come up on Sundays, so that they can impress them.
Holden was throwing Snow Balls out the window
Holden’s brother Allie died from Leukimia while they were in Maine on July 18, 1946. Allie was two years younger than Holden but incredibly intelligent and nice. The nicest one in his family.
Holden had a his first Mental Break when Allie died, he broke all the windows in his garage the night he died.
Allie had a baseball glove with a lot of poems written on it
Holden can be very worried about a lot of things.
He liked to annoy stradlater, he smoked in his dorm which was against the rules just to annoy him. Because stradlater was very big on following the rules.
Holden got very mad at stradlater about jane and initiated a fight between them
Holden was so mad he was practically bawling
Stradlater was a genius compared to Ackley
Holden goes into Ackleys room after his fight with Stradlater
Holden hung out in Ackleys roommate Ely’s bed for a little while
Holden said that most guys just talked about sexual intercouse ay Pencey but Stradlater really did it
Holden wakes up Ackley to ask what is like to join the Monastery
Packing depressed holden
He uses his red hunting hat with earlaps as a security blanket for comfort
Went on a train to get to NYC and thought that that train ride was different very late
he said usually a lot
He lies to his classmate Ernest Morrow’s mother and tells her how much he likes her son. He also tells her that his name is Rudolf Schmitt for no reason.
The lady had a lot of rings
He lies to her again about how he got hurt, saying he got hit from a snowball.
He really wanted company and asked her to join him for a drink but she respectfully declines.
He lies again saying he went home early because he needed an operation.
He over thinks calling a lot of people, including D.B, Sally Hayes, Phoebe, Carl Luce.
Holden lives in NYC
He asks his taxi driver if he knows what happens to the ducks in the winter.
Again, he is lonely and looking for company and asks his taxi driver to meet up for a drink.
He judges the bellboys job saying it was a terrible job and saying he must not be too inteligent
He was a little bit jealous of Stradlater, saying he would have been the king of the whole hotel
He still cannot stop thinking about Jane
He called this Princeton guy (Eddie Birdshell) who he met at a party’s friend, Faith Cavendish
He judges where she lived
He was scared by the way she was talking to him
He lies and says he was in princeton as well, so he was saying he was older and in college
He was very nervous talking to her
Regrets not saying to meet that day instead of the next day
Everyone said it was late (including faith) but the chapter starts off by saying “It was still pretty early.”
He still really wanted company and almost called phoebe
Went to the Lavender Ball Room
Dances with a blonde girl named Bernice Crabs or Krebs
She had to other friends with her who Holden calls ugly named , Marty and Laverne they are from Seattle Washington
Holden tells them his name was Jim Steele
Still cannot stop thinking about Jane
He describes Jane and says how she is the only person who he ever showed Allies baseball mitt too
She friendzoned him kind of
Holden was happy when he was with Jane
Chapter generally gives more background on him with Jane
Wishes he could go home with Phoebe
Talks to his new cab driver Horowitz and asks about the ducks
Nobody else cares about the ducks except Holden
He is still lonely and asks Horowitz to go out for a drink with him
Everyone including Horowitz seems to notice how young Holden is
Holden does not appreciate showmanship
Everyone else thinks it is late but holden
He still does not want to be alone
Holden’s favorite drink is a frozen Daiquiris or a Scotch and Soda
Points out Lillian and her navy guy’s bad manners
Holden now does not want to be with anybody
his apartment (with his fam) is on a high floor
he puts on his hat (saftey blanket)
He does not really care when he looses something
Holden says he is “Yellow” meaning that he is very cowardly
Would rather kill a guy then get in a fist fight
He is still not tired
Starts to wish he was dead
He tells the elevator guy named Maurice he is 22
He is not ready for his right of passage
He stops when a girl tells him to stop even if he knows he will regret it later
Points out the prostitute, Sunny poor manners
Sunny asks Holden if he had a watch so she could charge him more if he did not
He wants to talk first
He starts thinking about her new dress and how the salesman probably just though she was a regular girl and not a prostitute and it made him sad.
He says he does not want to “do it” because he had just got an operation on his Clavicord
She made Holden nervous because she was on the younger side
She tries to convince holden to “do it”
Maurice said $5 but Sunny said $10 so Holden thinks it is $5, Sunny was trying to trick Holden
One of the first times holden does not use polite manners and say thank you or goodbye
It started to become light out showing how early/late it was
He started talking to Allie out loud (Ms. Schonhoff says physcotic break, but I don’t think so).
Thinks about Allie when he gets very depressed
He is sort of an atheist but likes jesus but does not care for other stuff in the bible
He likes Judas and believes that Jesus would have never sent Judas to hell
Opens the door to Maurice and Sunny in his PJS
He fights back when they ask for $5
He says, “Leave my wallet alone!” like a little kid
After getting punched in the stomach Holden thought he was dying
He started pretending that he had a bullet in his guts and Maurice “plugged” him, like a superhero.
He wanted to commit suicide but he did not want a lot of people looking at him all gory (reason later in the book)
Woke up relatively early at 10 am
He called Sally Hayes to set up a date
He hates the word Grand because he thinks it is phony
Holdens dad is a corporation lawyer
His mom has been very anxious since Allie died.
Holden hates when people had cheap suitcases
Meets two nuns at breakfast
Holden gave them $10 for a contribution
Holden thought it was weird that one of the nuns was reading romeo and juliet with her class because of some of the “sexy parts”
Mercutio was Holden’s favorite character in Romeo and Juliet
Holden has survivors gult from Allie
Holden accidentally blew smoke in their face and was very embarrassed because it was impolite and apologized perfusly
He wanted to get a record by Estelle Fletcher for Phoebe
He was judging a dad in the parks hat
Hearing a little boy sing made Holden feel less depressed
It depresses Holden when people go to the movies and walks fast to get there
He wanted to call Jane because he was happy
Jane=Happy, Holden=Happy, so Holden wants to call Jane
Holden hates actors because they never act like people
The weather matched Holdens mood, (Not too cold but the sun still wasnt out)
Holden talks to a little girl trying to look for Phoebe
Holden can talk kid
Holden’s Favorite thing about the muesem of art was that it never changed
Holden may have a fear of change
Holden wants to be stuck in time as a little kid
The muesem was special to Holden
Holden wonders what would happen to some of the girls he was seeing when they got out of college
When Holden first saw Sally he felt like marrying her even though he did not like her that much. He felt like he was in love with her
When Holden tells her that he loves her she responds by saying that crew cuts are getting corny
When sally saw one of her old friends and they said hello holden thought it was nauseating
He was jealous of the guy saying it was the phoniest conversation he ever heard.
Sally wanted to go ice skating to rent out a skating skirt
Holden plays with matches when he is nervous
Holden wants to leave NYC and go somewhere with Sally
Sally points out how Holden did not think the plan through
Holden was getting excited and talking loud and Sally kept telling him to quiet down but he did not
Holden started to apologize just to say sorry but then he later meant it
Holden said the sally was a “royal pain in the ass” and she started crying and she left not letting Holden apologize or drive her home
Holden is jealous of the other people who Jane dated
Calls Carl Luce to meet for a drink at the Wicker Bar because he is still lonely
Holden constantly complain about the movies yet he went to one
The Wicker Bar is at this Hotel called the Seton Hotel and it is very sophisticated and filled with phonies
Flit=Gay Man
Holden keeps asking about Luce’s sex life
Luce is with an older chineese woman from Shanghai
Holden has been childish for a while
Holden wants to call Jane again
He got very drunk and called Sally
Holden got very depressed when leaving and started to cry
Holden went to the lake to see for himself where the ducks go
Holden broke phoebes record
Pictures his own funeral, talking about Allies
Holden did not go to Allies funeral because he was in the hospital
Holden felt like he was getting pnemonia
Holden was picturing what would happen if he died, he really thought he was going to die
Holden does not like seeing Allie in the cemetary maybe because he did not want to believe that it was real and the Allie actually died
Holden does not want to leave Allie and wishes Allie was still there with him
He starts to picture what would happen to phoebe if he died
Holden went back to his apartment to visit phoebe and lies and says he is going to the Dicksteins to get up to his floor
He went very quietly to Phoebes room
Phoebe sleeps in D.B’s room
Phoebes middle name is Josephine but says it is Weatherfield
Holden asks phoebe when his parents would be home, worrying if they would cath him or not.
Phoebe went ballistic when she find out Holden was kicked out saying that their dad will kill Holden
Holden does not care about his punishment for getting kicked out of school because he knows the routine since it happened so many times
Phoebe was dissapointed/sad that Holden was kicked out
Holden was apart of a secret fraternity
He complains about not being apart of anything yet he was apart of a secret fraternity
Phoebe parents Holden telling him not to swear as much
Holden says everything that happened for the first time outloud, like a therapy session
Phoebe called him out about not liking anything
Holden started to believe phoebe that he did not like anything
Seeing James Castle after he jumped out of the window in Holdens turtle neck must have been pretty traumatic for him
Holden thinks the boys who bullied James Castle into suicide should have had more punishment then expulshion because he gets expelled all the time, he thought they should have gone to jail.
Holden talks about James Castle as if he were living
Holden may suffer from PTSD
Holden says, “I damn near dropped dead when he asked me,” which is ironic because James Castle literally dropped dead
Holden was almost offended when Phoebe said that Allie was dead
Holden talks about his dream job, being the catcher in the rye, the field of rye represents life, the cliff represents adulthood, and he wanted to save people from going off the cliff, meaning that he wanted to save kids from adulthood- Childhood innosence
Mr.Antoloni was Holdens favorite teacher
Mr. Antoloni is selfless and caring
Holden may not have wanted to jump out the window so people were not looking at him all gory like they were looking at James castle all gory
His parents come home from the party out of town
His mom is religous
Holden feels guilty for taking phoebes christmas dough
Phoebe did not want Holden to leave
Holden gave Phoebe his hunting hat
Holden was tired of lying and hiding and wished he could go back
Holden goes to Mr. Antolinnis house
Holden starts to feel dizzy
Talks about digression
Holden’s dad is concerned for him and cares about him
Mr. Antolini was also concerned for Holden
He hated Ackley and Stradlater once in a while but it did not last too long, Holden missed them
Mr. Antolini has hope for Holden
Mr. Antolini lectures Holden
While Holden was sleeping Mr. Antolini started to pet him.
Perverty things have happened to Holden 20 times since he was a kid
It starts to get light out
Holden slept on a bench at Grand Central
Holden said this was the most depressed he had ever been
The more he thought about James Castle the more depressed he got
Holden thought something was wrong with his hormones or he had cancer based on a magazine he saw
Holden starts talking to Allie again, maybe thinking of him as his guardian angel, asking him not to let him disappear
Holden went to Phoebes school to deliver a note telling her to meet him at a muesem, to say goodbye, telling her about his plan
Hates how the school has curse words written on the wall
Holden passed out
Phoebe was wearing Holden’s hunting hat
Phoebe had a suitcase with her, she wanted to go with Holden
Holden was mean to her because he did not feel well, yelling at her telling her to shut up, saying how he almost wanted to smack
He decided not to leave to get phoebe to stop crying
Phoebe was really mad at Holden and walked on the opposite side of the street and gave him back his hat, until they got to the zoo
Phoebe went on the carousel and wanted Holden to go with her
All the kids reaching for the gold ring may symbolize them reaching for their dreams
Watching phoebe on the carosel was the happiest holden had been in a long time
Holden, D.B, Allie, and Phoebe used to go on the carousel when they were younger
Holden went home
He took time off school and went to a mental place in California and goes back in December
Holden misses everybody he talks about
Holden says when you talk about someone or something it makes you miss it
Childhood innocence- Ducks
Muesem is a metaphor, for Holden’s childhood innocence wishing he would never change
Manners is Genuine or Phony, good manners is genuine, bad manners is phony
Children are genuine and Adults are phony
Holden Caulfield - The protagonist and narrator, a teenager struggling with feelings of alienation, depression, and a desire to protect childhood innocence.
D.B. Caulfield - Holden's older brother working in Hollywood; Holden views him as a phony for choosing film over literature.
Mr. Spencer - Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep, who attempts to connect with him and share wisdom, representing the adult world's failure.
Ward Stradlater - Holden's charismatic roommate at Pencey, seen as handsome but also shallow; he dates Jane Gallagher, whom Holden secretly admires.
Ackley - Holden's annoying dorm neighbor at Pencey, marked by poor hygiene and social skills, but tolerated by Holden out of pity.
Jane Gallagher - A girl from Holden's past; he admires her but feels protective and unrequited affection towards her.
Phoebe Caulfield - Holden's younger sister, representing childhood innocence; she is one of the few characters he feels a genuine connection to.
Mr. Antolini - Holden's former English teacher who offers him guidance but creates confusion with ambiguous behavior at a critical moment.
Sally Hayes - A girl Holden dates; she embodies the phoniness of teenage relationships that Holden despises.
Allie Caulfield - Holden's deceased younger brother, whose death greatly impacts Holden's views on adulthood and innocence.
Carl Luce - A student at Columbia University and Holden's former student advisor; they meet for drinks, and Holden seeks adult guidance from him.
Eddie Birdshell - A Princeton student who Holden met at a party; he becomes a point of reference when Holden calls to get in touch with Faith Cavendish.
Faith Cavendish - A woman Holden calls in hopes of setting up a date; she represents the adult world Holden feels both drawn to and repulsed by.
Bernice - A pretty girl Holden meets at the Lavender Room who dances with him; he perceives her as attractive but shallow.
Marty - One of Bernice's friends; Holden describes her as unattractive and part of the group that comes to the Lavender Room.
Laverne - Another friend of Bernice's from Seattle; she is mentioned as part of the unattractive group accompanying Bernice.
Horowitz - Holden's cab driver who he asks about the ducks in Central Park; their conversation highlights Holden’s loneliness.
Sunny - A young prostitute who is sent to Holden's hotel room; their interaction underlines Holden's discomfort with sexual situations.
Maurice - The elevator operator at Holden's hotel; he is associated with Sunny and later confronts Holden for payment after Sunny's visit.
James Castle - A student at Pencey who committed suicide; Holden reflects on him, indicating the severe consequences of bullying and isolation.
The Nuns - Two nuns whom Holden meets at breakfast; he admires their simplicity and kindness, offering them a donation despite his own financial struggles.
Rudolf Schmitt
Holden uses this name when he lies to Ernest Morrow's mother on the train. He adopts a false identity to craft a more appealing version of himself and lie about his connection with her son.
Jim Steele
This name is used when Holden meets Bernice and her friends at the Lavender Room. He adopts this name to create a persona that he feels is more charming and appealing in social situations.