Catcher in the Rye

digression

straying from main point

Gladstones

suitcase (deeper in proportion to its length)

T.B.

tuberculosis

qualms

uneasy feeling or doubt

Compare and contrast Allie and Holden, based on Holden's description of his younger brother.

Allie was very nice and intelligent. Holden could be smart, but he doesn't apply himself. Allie would write poems all over the fingers of his glove so he could read it while he wasn't up to bat. The two boys also played different sports.

Who is David Copperfield? What literary technique is used here?

David Copperfield was a book about a life story and it started with his birth. This literary technique is foreshadowing that our narrator will be similar to the David Copperfield story

Charles Dickens

English writer whose novels depicted and criticized social injustice

What is Holden thinking aboutwhile he is "shooting the bull" (17) with Spencer, and why is he thinking about it?

He started to think about how he lived in New York, and he was wondering where the ducks went if the lagoon was all iced over. He was thinking about this because he said it was easy to think about other things while talking to teachers.

Describe the point of view. (chapter 1)

Holden

What does the fact that Holden invites Ackley to the movies show about Holden's personality?

It shows that even though he isn't very fond of Ackley, he still will make an effort to include him, especially because Ackley doesn't have anything else to do.

Why does the dining hall at Pencey serve steak on Saturday nights? Why is this reason typical of Pencey in general, at least at Holden perceives it?

It was said to be a big deal, but Holden perceives it as a lot of parents come on Sundays and the parents probably ask their sons what they had for dinner, and they say steak. But Holden describes the meal not to impressive. He thinks it is because it is showing a fake impression of the school.

Does it surprise you that Holden writes the composition for Stradlater? Why do you think he does it?

No, I think he writes it mainly to get Ackley out of the room, and also it is something for him to do.

What words and phrases in the opening paragraph give you a sense of Holden's personality and state of mind? List at least three words or phrases.

These phrases give me a sense that Holden is an ungrateful teenage boy. It is perceived that he is not thankful for everything that he has, nor does he try in school. -kind of crap -lousy childhood -madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas

Scraggy looking

bad/poor/broken looking

can

bathroom or showering area

bunk

bed

Incognito

identity concealed

grippe

influenza

Rockettes

professional dance group

pedagogical

relating to teaching

What words and actions demonstrate how Holden feels about Allie? List at least two examples.

-"People with red hair are supposed to get mad easily, but Allie never did, and he had very red hair" -->I think in a way, Holden admired his younger brother for being so pleasant and kind to others -"He was the most intelligent member in the family... and the nicest" -->Holden really cared about his younger brother and admired how smart he was --Holden misses his brother's funeral because he was in the hospital because of his broken and from breaking the windows.

Why does Ackley ask so many questions? What does this habit show about his personality?

Ackley askes so many questions because he is bored and has no friends. He is most likely trying to be nice to Holden, but in reality, he is just being a petty brat. He picks everything up to examine it, then throws it somewhere. He also demands to have his needs met and he does not brush his teeth. His actions and habits show that he is a disorganized person and it shows that he does not have any source of manners unless you yell at him to do something.

Why is Holden "not too crazy about describing rooms and houses" (49)?

He couldn't imagine what Stradlater had said to describe. This could be because he changes schools so much, he never has a consecutive home or place to describe.

Why doesn't Holden throw the snowball

He didn't want to mess up the nice pretty snow. It is like loosing his innocence, he doesn't want to grow up and loose that irresponsibility.

How does Holden feel about Jane Gallagher? What actions or remarks demonstrate his attitude toward her?

He gets very excited when Stradlader mentions her name. He says that he should go down and say hi, and he wonders if she remembers him.

How does Holden feel about his brother B.D.'s having become a screenwriter? What words or phrases show his attitude?

He is impressed that his brother has a lot of money. He says his brother was a regular writer until he went to Hollywood, and he is not very fond of his brothers work. -he didn't use to -i hate the movies -being a prostitute

How does Holden react to Spencer's wishing him "Good Luck!" ? (21)

He said he hoped that he didn't yell good luck, because he thinks it sounds terrible when he thinks about it.

Why does Holden feel "lucky" when he remembers throwing the football around with Robert Tichener and Paul Campbell?

Holden explains that when he is leaving a place he likes getting a good bye, and knowing that he is leaving (especially if it is a place he likes).

Based on how he describes "Old Spencer," how do you think Holden feels about old people and aging?

Holden most likely does not like older people or aging. He expresses how their bumpy chests and pale legs bother him when they are in their robes or on the beach.

Describe the relationship between Holden and Stradlater. Are they friends? Why or why not? Refer to specific actions the characters take or things they say to one another in the text.

They are like brothers. "What are you doing tonight... can I borrow your jacket?" They both also keep tabs on each other and what each other are doing. "Where's your date?" "In the annex" Holden also states that Stradlater constantly walks around without a shirt and that he has a nice body.

What metaphor is used by both Dr. Thurmer and Spencer in order to try to convince Holden that he needs to change his outlook on school and life in general? How does Holden react to this metaphor?

They explain that life is a game. Holden feels that if he is on the other side of the hot shots, then what is the point of the game.

Benedict Arnold

United States general and traitor in the American Revolution

Canasta

a card game

pimpy-looking

a man who is an agent for a prostitute and lives off their earnings

bourgeois

a member of the middle class

falsetto

a method of singing higher than their normal range

sadist

a person who derives pleasure

matinee

afternoon performance

glider

an aircraft

cockeyed

askew

halitosis

bad breath

ratty

bad-tempered and irritable

affected

changed because of a certain event

suave

charming, confident, and elegant

nonchalant

cool and confident, unconcerned

oiled up

drunk

inferiority complex

exaggerated feelings of weakness and inadequacy

ostracized

exclude from a society or group

backasswards

foolish or wrong

flitty

gay

rye

grain

unscrupulous

having or showing no moral principles; honest and fair

What is the reason Holden gives for not going downstairs and saying hello to Jane? In your opinion, is this the real reason? Why or why not?

he says you have to be in the mood for those things (lazy). No, I think he is nervous about seeing her again, maybe they used to like each other and it ended awkwardly

windbreaker

jacket

necking

kissing

louse

lice

falsies

padding in a bra

rubbernecks

people who stare and gape