Catcher in the Rye chapters 2-7 study guide
What did both Dr. Thurmer and Mr. Spencer compare life to? (Chapter 2)
A game.
What did Holden declare Robert Ackley and Ward Stradlater on behalf of their hygiene? (Chapter 4)
Ackley was an obvious slob while Stradlater was a secret slob.
Who was Allie? How did Holden describe Allie? (Chapter 5)
Allie was Holden's younger brother. Holden described his brother as intelligent, nice and good student.
Why did Holden say his hat was a "people shooting hat" when Ackley told him it was a deer shooting hat (chapter 3 page 22)
Because he hated everyone. He did not like society and wanted to be different.
What advice did Dr. Thurmer give to Holden? (Chapter 2)
Dr. Thurmer said that life was a game and should be played according to the rules.
What was Stradlater's reputation at Pencey Prep? (Chapter 4)
For being one of those few experienced boys.
Why did Holden call Stradlater a secret slob (page 27 Chapter 4) What did Stradlater look like?
He called Stradlater a secret slob because Stradlater was well groomed and very handsome. His razor was rusty and dirty.
What did Holden find contrast in while he spoke to Stradlater? (Chapter 4)
He failed to keep his razor and toiletries clean.
Why did Holden yell at the end of the chapter as he was leaving Pencey Prep? (Chapter 7)
He said "sleep tight ya morons" because he was angry at everyone and everyone did not treat him nicely.
Who was Stradlater? So far, he was the only person in the book whom Holden described positively. Why do you think that is? (Chapter 3)
He was Holden's roommate and they were friends. Holden said he was good looking but conceited. Stradlater had been nice to Holden.
Who was Robert Ackley? How did Holden Caulfield feel about him? (Chapter 3)
He was a roommate next door. Holden felt that he was nasty, gross and peculiar.
Why do you think Holden did not like it when people said "good luck"? (Chapter 2)
He was speaking for everyone. Not ready to focus on his future. People thought he couldn't accomplish things on his own and needed help.
How did Holden plan to pay for his trip back to New York City? (Chapter 7)
His grandmother gave him birthday money.
What made Holden depressed while he was packing? (Chapter 7)
His mom gave him brand new ice skates few days ago. Holden was sad every time he received his present.
What do the ice skates tell us about Holden's relationships with his parents? (Chapter 7)
His parents were nice and generous to give gifts to Holden. They wanted to make him happy.
Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed? (Chapter 5)
Holden broke all the garage windows. He slept in the garage. He was stressed, upset and emotional.
What did Holden decide when he left Robert Ackley's room? (Chapter 7)
Holden decided to leave Pencey Prep right away. Find a cheap hotel in New York until Wednesday.
Holden earlier said he didn't like Robert Ackley, but he invited Robert Ackley out to the movies on Saturday night. What does that say about Holden? (Chapter 5)
Holden was a nice boy. Felt sorry for Robert Ackley.
Why was Holden worried at the beginning of this chapter? (Chapter 6)
It was Saturday night. Holden was awake and worrying about Jane and the possibility of roomie Stradlater.
What did Holden decide to do at the end of the chapter? (Chapter 7)
Leave Pencey Prep and instead of waiting till Wednesday. He planned to stay in New York City for a few days while his parents digest the fact that he got kicked out of school and then he'll go home once they've settled down.
What did Holden mean when he said "I'm quite illiterate, but I read alot" (Chapter 3 Page 18)
Maybe he had been told he was not good at reading. Or he had self esteem.
What had Mr. Spencer bought and shown the boys when they were visiting him one Sunday? (Chapter 2)
Mr. Spencer had bought a Navajo blanket from an Indian in Yellowstone Park.
What did Mr. Spencer do that annoyed Holden? (Chapter 2)
Mr. Spencer read Holden's final exam essay out loud and lectured him about failing out of Pencey.
Who was Mr. Spencer and why did Holden visit him? (Chapter 2)
Mr. Spencer was Holden's History teacher. Holden visited him because Mr. Spencer sent him a note asking him to stop by after school.
What did Mr. Spencer do that annoyed Holden? (Chapter 2)
Mr. Spencer yelled at Holden and read Holden's essay out loud.
Had Holden told his parents that he was kicked out of Pencey Prep? (Chapter 2)
No because he knew they would be angry.
Holden said he was a "pacifist". What does that mean? Was he really a pacifist? (Chapter 6 page 46)
Pacifist means someone who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable. Holden was not a pacifist because as soon as he began to get angry, he threw the first blow.
Who returned to Holden's dorm before dinner time? (Chapter 4)
Robert Ackley
Where was Holden trying to fall asleep? (Chapter 7)
Robert Ackley's roommate's bed.
In Holden's opinion, why did Pencey Prep serve steak on Saturday night? (Chapter 5)
So that when parents who visit on Sunday ask what was served last night, the boys would answer, "steak".
What did Stradlater ask Holden to do for him? (Chapter 4)
Stradlater asked Holden to type his English essay or composition for him.
Why did Holden tear up the composition he wrote for Stradlater? (Chapter 6)
Stradlater complained that it was about a baseball glove instead of a room or some more typical composition topic. Stradlater insulted Holden.
Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills? (Chapter 2)
The school was filled with phonies.
When and where was Holden planning to go? (Chapter 7)
To venture to New York that night instead of waiting until Wednesday.
Did Holden pack his red hunting hat before leaving to New York? (Chapter 7)
Yes. He did.
