Catcher in the Rye
Who is Sally Hayes?
A beautiful girl whom Holden has dated in the past. Sally is an example of women to whom Holden is attracted, but does not respect.
Who is Ernest Morrow?
A classmate of Holden's. Although Holden tells his mother that he is popular but sensitive, in actuality he is "doubtless the biggest bastard that ever went to Pencey" and "about as sensitive as a goddam toilet seat".
Who is Mal Brossard?
A friend of Holden's at Pencey.; he is involved in the snowball fight and goes to the movies with Holden.
Who is Bernice Krebs?
A girl Holden dances with at the Edmont Hotel's nightclub, in the Lavender room.
Who is James Castle?
A student at Elkton Hills (Holden's former school) who committed suicide by jumping out of his window after an argument with another student.
Who is Jane Gallagher?
A summer girlfriend of Holden's. Jane is one of the few people of whom Holden speaks fondly. In fact, he idealizes her so much that he makes her sound perfect.
Who is Sunny?
A teenage prostitute who Holden sees at the Edmont Hotel.
Who is Ely?
Ackley's roommate
Who is Lillian Simmons?
An obnoxious girl that D.B. once dated. Holden avoids her at Ernie's.
What are the four themes of the book?
Authenticity Childhood vs. Adulthood Sexual Anxiety Social Status
Who is Maurice?
Edmont elevator operator; Sends a prostitute; asks for more money, gets in fist-fight with Holden. The elevator operator at the Edmont Hotel, who makes extra money by being a pimp.
Who is Faith Cavendish?
Former burlesque dancer; Holden calls her from the Edmont to try to set up a shortly after he arrives in New York but it's too late. she lives at the Stanford arms Hotel on six
What color dress was Sunny wearing?
Green
Who is Ernie?
He is the owner of the bar Holden goes to, Ernie's; he plays the piano; according to Holden, he only talks to people who are "big shots".
Who is Carl Luce?
He is three years older than Holden and now a student at Columbia University. At Whooton, Luce used to tell the younger boys about sex, effeminate and phony; refuses to be drawn into the kind of sex discussion like before, father is a psychoanalyst
Who is Dr. Thurmer?
Headmaster of Pencey Prep; phony
Chapter 1 Summary
Holden Caulfield, the novel's narrator and protagonist, says he wants to tell the story of some "madman stuff" that happened to him around last Christmas. It's now a few months into 1950 and Holden is recuperating at an unspecified location after becoming "run-down." Holden refuses to talk about his childhood, though he comments that his parents are "touchy as hell" and that his brother, D.B., who visits him weekly, writes for Hollywood. Holden compares D.B.'s new job to prostitution. Holden begins his story at Pencey Prep, an exclusive private school for boys in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, on the day that Pencey has its annual football game against arch rival Saxon Hall. Even the Pencey headmaster, Dr. Thurmer, is at the game. Holden calls him a "phony slob." Holden isn't even supposed to be at Pencey. He was supposed to be in New York City with the fencing team, of which he was manager. But he accidentally left the team's foils (swords) on the subway and the team had to come back early. Holden finds the whole mix-up amusing. Holden also mentions that he's failed four of his five classes—everything but English—and been expelled. So instead of going to the game, he goes to visit his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, to say goodbye.
What does Holden give to Phoebe?
Holden gives Phoebe his red hunting hat and pieces of the broken record
Chapter 4 Summary
Holden keeps Stradlater company as he shaves to prepare for his date. Holden comments that Stradlater is a "secret" slob, who is handsome but has personal habits as dirty as Ackley's. Stradlater asks Holden to do his English homework for him. Holden asks Stradlater who he's dating. When Stradlater doesn't immediately tell Holden, Holden puts him in a half nelson. Though annoyed, Stradlater says that his date is Jane Gallagher, whom he mistakenly calls "Jean." Holden knows her, and goes on for a while about playing checkers with her one summer, but Stradlater doesn't seem to care. Eventually, he borrows Holden's hound's-tooth jacket, and leaves. Holden remains in the bathroom, uncomfortable with thoughts of Jane and the sexually experienced Stradlater together. When he returns to his room, Ackley again barges in. This time Holden's happy to see him.
What does the natural history museum represent?
Holden loves the permanence of the exhibits at the Museum of Natural History because, unlike people, the displays never change. This constancy satisfies Holden's desire to stop time and remain in childhood.
Chapter 3 Summary
Holden returns to his dorm in Ossenburger Hall, which is named after a Pencey alum who got rich from owning funeral homes. Alone in his room, Holden reads Isaac Dinesen's Out of Africa while wearing his new red hunting cap. But Robert Ackley, Holden's neighbor, barges in. Ackley is repulsive, with bad skin and hygiene, and acts as if you're lucky to spend time with him even though he's disliked by almost everyone. When Ackley comments on Holden's hunting hat, Holden tells him it's a "people shooting hat." Eventually, Ward Stradlater, Holden's big, strong, handsome roommate enters. Ackley hates Stradlater, and leaves. Stradlater says he has a date.
Who is Allie?
Holden's deceased younger brother. Allie died of leukemia on July 18, 1946, when Holden was thirteen. Holden describes Allie as intelligent, calm, and friendly.
What does the ducks in Central Park represent?
Holden's fixation on the ducks is also a symbol of his struggle with change and growing up. He wants things to stay the same, but the ducks prove that one must adapt to the environment, that one has to change in order to survive. At the same time, the ducks offer hope: though they disappear each winter, they always reappear.
Who is Mr. Spencer?
Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep who tries unsuccessfully to motivate Holden to "play by the rules," and take more responsibility for himself and his academic performance.
Who is Pheobe?
Holden's little sister
Who is D. B.?
Holden's older brother. Holden looks up to D.B., but is disappointed in his decision to go to Hollywood to write for the movies, which Holden thinks is an act similar to prostitution.
What does Holden's Red Hunting Hat represent
Holden's red hunting hat is a symbol of his alienation. It protects him, and makes him feel unique, but also singles him out as strange, which in turn reinforces his alienation. The hat is also a symbol of Holden's attachment to childhood—it's the kind of goofy accessory that a proper adult wouldn't wear.
Who is Stradlater?
Holden's roommate at Pencey Prep. Though Stradlater is attractive and popular, Holden despises him for his arrogance and his "secret" dirty hygiene.
Who is Mr. Antolini?
Mr. Antolini is Holden's old teacher from Elkton Hills. He was Holden's favorite teacher. He told Holden to get his life together
Chapter 2 Summary
Mr. Spencer's house makes Holden depressed. It's smell and appearance reminds him of old age. Mr. Spencer greets him warmly, and they start to talk. At one point, Mr. Spencer tells Holden to heed Dr. Thurmer's advice that life is a game that must be played by the rules. Holden agrees, but privately comments that life is really only a game for people on the winning side. Mr. Spencer next comments that he once met with Holden's parents, who are "grand" people, which strikes Holden as a "phony" word. Mr. Spencer continues to lecture him, reminding Holden that he failed history because he knew nothing and wrote an atrocious essay on the Egyptians. He even reads the essay to Holden. Eventually, Holden begins to tune out, and wonders to himself where the ducks in the Central Park lagoon go during winter. Mr. Spencer asks why Holden failed out of two other prep schools (Whooton and Elkton Hills). Thinking Spencer wouldn't understand, Holden tells him only that it's a long story. But privately he says he wanted out of Elkton Hills because he was "surrounded by phonies," especially the headmaster who only gave his time to the wealthier, better-looking parents. When Mr. Spencer encourages Holden to plan for the future, Holden has had enough. He assures Spencer he's just going through a phase, and stands to leave. On his way out, Mr. Spencer wishes him "good luck," an expression Holden hates.
Who is Rudolph Schmidt?
The Pencey Prep janitor. Holden uses his name when he introduces himself to Ernest Morrow's mother on the train to New York.
Who is Mr. Haas?
The headmaster of Elkton Hills, Holden's former school.
Who is Mrs. Morrow?
The mother of Holden's contemptible classmate, Ernest, she shares a train ride and creative conversation with "Rudolf Schmidt," the alias used by Holden.
Who is Ackley?
The peculiar and annoying student who lives in the room next to Holden's. Ackley's bad skin and teeth make him physically repulsive to Holden.
Who is Holden Caulfield?
The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Holden is a sixteen-year-old junior who has just been expelled for academic failure from a school called Pencey Prep. Although he is intelligent and sensitive, Holden narrates in a cynical and jaded voice
Who is Horwitz?
The taxi driver who explains to Holden about the ducks in the Central Park lagoon.
