The Catcher in the Rye

According to Stradlater, what constitutes a good composition?

A good composition is one which has all the punctuation in the right places

Why is Holden glad to see Ackley return to his room?

Ackley's presence distracts Holden from Jane Gallagher

Who is D.B., and why is Holden somewhat contemptuous of him?

D. B. is Holden's older brother and is a screen writer in Hollywood. Holden hates that D. B. has "sold out" to the Hollywood establishment for money and a fancy Jaguar. Holden calls his brother a "prostitute" because he takes money for his writing talent.

What had Mr.Spencer bought and shown the boys when they were visiting him one Sunday?

He brought an old Navajo blanket from an Indian at Yellowstone Park

According to Ackley, what was it about Howie Coyle which made him a good basketball player?

He has the perfect build for basketball

What excuse did Holden give Mr.Spencer for having to end the visit?

He left his equipment at the gym and had to pack it so he can take it home with him

Holden told Mr.Spencer not to worry about him. What reason did he give for not worrying?

He said he is just going through a phase

What does Holden say in defense of Stradlater?

He said that Stradlater was a good guy and generous. Also he said that he didn't say the thing about brushing his teeth to insult him.

According to Holden, Ackley and Stradlater are both slobs. In what way are they different as slobs?

He say that Stradlater doesn't look like a slob because he hides it. While Ackley is a slob and looks like it too

What does Holden think about the other students who attend Pencey?

He thinks that despite Pencey Prep's logo no one is splendid or clear-thinking. He also says that they are phony wealthy crooks

What does Ackley usually do when he comes to visit Holden?

He touches everything without permission

Why was Holden trying to feel some kind of good-bye?

He wanted to feel like he was really leaving. He left many places without knowing and those were hard. He wanted Pencey Prep to be easy.

Who is Ossenburger?

He was a student who went to Pencey. He gave Pencey a pile of dough, and the dorm was named as Ossenburger.

Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills School?

He was surrounded by phonies

What was Holden thinking about while he said the following: " I told him I was a real moron, and all that stuff. I told him how I would've done exactly the same thing if I'd been in his place, and how most people didn't appreciate how tough it is being a teacher."

He was thinking about where the ducks go when the lake freezes over in Central Park

Why did Holden write Mr.Spencer a note at the end of his examination paper?

He wrote that note so Mr.Spencer wouldn't feel bad for failing him

Who are Holden's favorite authors?

His brother D.B. and Ring Lardner

Who is Holden Caulfield?

Holden Caulfield is the narrator and the main character in the novel The Catcher in the Rye

What is the reality of Pencey Prep in contrast to advertisements seen by Holden?

Holden feels that Pencey has high academic standards, but he is skeptical about it's claim to mold boys into "splendid, clear-thinking young men". He thinks that those boys who were splendid and clear thinkers were probably such before they were enrolled into the school.

What did Holden think about Mr.Spencer's description of his parents as "grand people"?

Holden gets upset and believes that grand is a phony word

What does Holden say about Jane Gallagher's home life that piqued Stradlater's curiosity?

Holden says that Jane's stepfather used to run around the house naked in front of her.

What does Holden have to say about Stradlater's sense of humor?

Holden says that Stradlater does not have too bad a sense of humor since he laughed at Holden's tap dancing.

What was the substance of Ossenburger's speech?

Holden thought that the only good part of his speech was in the middle of it. He was talking about what a swell and hot-shot guy he was.

Did Holden agree with Dr. Thurmer's description of life as a game? Explain your answer.

Holden was thinking that life was a game when you are on the side where all the hot-shots are. But if you are on the side where there aren't any hot-shots, then it is not a game. He means that when there are hot-shots on your side, it is a game between you and them. Without hot-shots life is nothing.

Why does Holden watch the game from the hill?

Holden watches from the hill because he doesn't want to go down and see the students. Just got back from New York with fencing team and because he was on his way to say goodbye to Mr.Spencer.

What did Stradlater want to borrow from Holden?

Hound tooth jacket

Give an example of something which Ackley considered very funny.

If someone gets hit on the head by something

Who is Mr.Spencer, and why was Holden going to visit him?

Mr.Spencer is Holden's history teacher. Mr.Spencer asked him to stop by and when he went over he got scolded for flunking out of school.

Does Holden blame others for his flunking out of school?

No he blames himself

How popular was the sport of polo at Pencey Prep?

No one played polo at Pencey Prep

Who is Selma Thurmer, and why did Holden like her?

Selma is the Headmaster's daughter. He likes her because she is not stuck up like most people and because she is nice. He also says that Selma isn't that pretty.

What favor does Stradlater ask of Holden?

Stradlater asks Holden to write his English essay

How does Holden know that Stradlater would not tell Jane Gallagher that he had been kicked out of Pencey Prep?

Stradlater does not care enough about Holden's predicament to even bother to mention it to Jane Gallagher.

Why does Ackley not like Stradlater?

Stradlater said something about brushing his teeth once in a while.

When Stradlater asks Holden to write the composition for him, what does he say regarding the level of quality he wants?

Stradlater tells Holden not to work too hard on the composition or make it too good. It is necessary only that it be very descriptive.

What advice did Dr. Thurmer give to Holden?

That life has rules that everyone needs to follow and live by. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.

What was unique about the way in which Jane Gallagher played checkers?

When Jane Gallagher played checkers, she never moved any of her kings. She kept them all in the back row.

How does Holden determine whether a book is outstanding?

When it's funny at least once in a while

Was Pencey Prep really the fourth school from which Holden was asked to leave? Explain the answer.

Yes it was but he said that Elkton Hills School he quit because he was surrounded by phonies