Catcher in the Rye Questions- Mr. Cline English 10
What is his final good-bye to Pencey Prep?
"Sleep tight, ya morons"
What does Ackley do that annoys Holden? (22)
Ackley never sits down in a chair, he comes into rooms when he's not invited, he cuts his nails on the floor, he doesn't brush his teeth, etc.
Who is Allie, and why is his baseball mitt so special to Holden? (38)
Allie is Holden's brother who died recently of leukemia, so the baseball mitt is a very special memory of him.
Why does Holden stop when girls tell him to?
Because he didn't want to be rude.
Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?
Because he has no religion
Why do you think he tells her these things?
Because he likes her and want to impress her.
Why does Holden leave Ernie's?
Because he sees Lillian, an ex-girlfriend of D.B.'s whom everyone hates. she invites him to sit with her and her date, so he makes up an excuse to leave. also, he thinks that Ernie is a "phony"
Why is Holden so concerned about what happened with Jane Gallagher and Stradlater? What does this possibly reveal about Holden? (42)
Because they used to be friends and neighbors when they were younger and this reveals that Holden has a crush on Jane.
What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood "being a prostitute" (2)?
DB is Holden's brother who started out as a small writer and became a Hollywood screenplay writer. Holden says his brother "sold out" to Hollywood. He felt that his brother's stories were better before he sold them to Hollywood. Holden is the ultimate hipster in this scenario and that's why he calls him a prostitute.
What evidence is there that shows us that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?
Everyone that Holden tries to make an advance on by acting older shuts him down and even laughs at him.
What does Stradlater criticize Holden for? (41)
He criticizes him for doing everything backwards and not doing anything the way he is supposed to.
Why doesn't Holden want to stay at Pencey anymore? (50-51)
He didn't want to hang around anymore, it made him too sad and lonesome.
How did Holden let the fencing team down? (3)
He forgot the fencing gear on the subway, so they could not compete.
Jane Gallagher is a large part of this chapter. Why is Holden so interested in her? What things does he say about their relationship? What was her family life like when Holden knew her?
He grew up next door to her. He says Stradlater doesn't know anything about Jane.
Why was Holden being kicked out of Pencey Prep? (4)
He had 4 F's in his five classes, and he wasn't putting forth any effort.
Why do you think he doesn't have sex with the prostitute?
He is scared, and he does not want to lose his virginity to a prostitute.
What is he wondering about in terms of the ducks? (13)
He is wondering where do the ducks go when the pond freezes in winter. He wonders this because he likes the ducks.
What is he worried about in terms of Jane and Stradlater? Why? What does this reveal about his Holden's character?
He is worried because Stradlater is a playboy. Holden likes her and cares about her because he was friends with her in the past.
What does Holden put on after the fight? Have we seen him put this on before (45)?
He put on his hunting hat, which he was wearing when Ackley visited him at his room.
What does Spencer do that particularly annoyed Holden?
He repeats himself and keeps throwing papers over to the bed, but misses and Holden has to pick them up.
What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow?
He tells her his name is Rudolf Schmidt, that he still goes to Pencey, he said some lies about Ernest. Also he lies about the reason blood is coming out of his nose.
What does Holden think of Mrs. Morrow?
He thinks she's a nice person and has a lot of sex appeal.
How does Holden treat the nuns?
He treats them kindly and respectfully and gives them money.
Why do you think Holden was crying as he left?
He was sad and disappointed because he was leaving behind an important part of his life. Even though he said he didn't like Pencey, he really did because he was sad to leave.
"But I wouldn't visit...Morrow if for all the dough in the world, even if I was desperate" (58). Desperate for what? Is Holden desperate?
He's desperate because he feels lonely and doesn't have a lot of friends.
Holden decides to go visit Ackley. How is he received by Ackley?
He's lying on his bed in the dark with white stuff on his face and "trying" to sleep.
What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?
Holden asks the cab driver where the ducks go during the winter when their lake freezes over
What can you infer about Holden's character through his note to Mr. Spencer?
Holden did not want Mr. Spencer to feel bad about having to fail him. He likes Mr. Spencer.
What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?
Holden got jealous because Stradlater had a date with Jane.
What evidence shows us that Holden might have made a good actor?
Holden imagines a descriptive scene where Maurice shoots him in the guts and he walks all over the hotel
What kind of health does Holden appear to be in? (5)
Holden is not in great health because he is a heavy smoker and "practically" got t.b.
What does Holden mean when he says, "I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot?" Give examples of what he reads. (18)
Holden means that even though his grammar and reading skills aren't very good, he still reads a lot of books. He reads advanced classics like Ring Laudner.
What is he thinking about while lying in bed? (49)
Holden was thinking about Jane and the fight he had with Stradlater because of the date he had with Jane and what could have possibly happen in the car between them.
Describe how Holden would deal with the "glove thief."
I think he would find the thief and beat him up.
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"?
It did not support his statement he seems yellow. he lies a lot.
Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him? (8)
Mr. Spencer is his history teacher. Mr. Spencer had sent him a note to come by, and Holden wanted to say good bye to him.
What is Pencey Prep, and why does Holden dislike it? (2)
Pencey is a school for boys. He dislikes it because he feels that the people are fake and that the whole place is fake.
What is the point that Holden tries to make about people when he elaborates about the suitcases of the nuns and of his former roommate?
People judge success or status by the nice things that you have. They are embarrassed if they don't have as nice things as you do.
Who is Phoebe, and what is Holden's opinion of her?
Phoebe is Holden's sister, he completely respects her and believes she is mature beyond her years.
Who is Ackley? Describe him. (19)
Robert Ackley is a student living in the room next to Holden at school. He has lousy personal hygiene and a terrible personality.
What kind of person is Faith Cavendish? (66)
She wasn't a wh0re but didn't mind to do it once in a while. She used to be a burlesque stripper.
Where is Holden as the story begins? (1)
Somewhere in California
What does Stradlater do that Holden would think is "Phony"? (27)
Stradlater is Holden's roommate. He always looks alright but is a slob in the way he gets clean, like how his razor was extremely rusty. He has a good amount of facial hair.
What's so terrible about the bellboy? (61) What does this reveal about Holden's character?
The bellboy was around 65 years old and he was bold. Holden says that even though if he wasn't intelligent it was terrible to carry people's suitcases and wait for a tip. It reveals that he is afraid to end up like that and that he criticizes a lot.
What made Holden cry?
The elevator operator came to his door with the prostitute and demanded five dollars. Holden felt cheated and it made him cry.
Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed? (39)
The night that Allie died, Holden broke all the windows in the garage with his fist.
Why is Jane so special to Holden? Describe their past relationship
They dated, but they cared about each other feelings and not about physical things (checkers, holding hands, going to movies)
Where does Holden then decide to go? (51)
To New York and then to his home.
What does Stradlater ask Holden to do for him? Why might Holden be best suited for this particular job? (28)
To write up his English composition. Holden is really good at English and it was the only subject he didn't fail at Pencey
Sally Hayes' mother says that Holden "was wild and that [he] had no direction in life" (59). Would you agree? Why?
We do agree because he has been expelled from different schools and doesn't take anything seriously.
Holden calls other people phony. Does he count as one sometimes as well?
Yes, he is phony because sometimes he pretends to be someone he isn't.
Does Holden have any guilty feelings about Allie? Do you feel this is abnormal in any way, or normal?
Yes, he wouldn't let Allie go and shoot the BB gun with him. I think it is normal to fell feel bad or guilty about things after a person dies.
What does Holden give us as the reason for "leaving" Elkton Hills? (13)
because at Elkton Hills, Holden was surrounded by phonies
