Catcher in the Rye Study guide

Why does Holden consider the Andover acquaintance Sally meets in the lobby a "phony"?

Because whenever he answered a question he would step back and give himself room and step on a lady's toes. The Andover had a lot of expression whenever he talked, but the conversations between him and Sally were dull.

What does Carl think Holden needs? Do you think Carl is right?

Carl thinks that Holden needs to go to a psychoanalyst, which is Carl's to get him on his feet, and stop fooling around with his life. I don't think Carl is right because it's Holden's choice on how he wants to live his life and if he wants to fool around and live life as an adventure, then that's what he's going to do. Holden doesn't want to be like everyone else, and be different; therefore, he shouldn't be told on how to live his life because that's the type of life he chose to live.

Who was Harris Mackim and what does this anecdote reveal about Holden?

Harris Mackim was Holden's old roommate at Elkton Hills for two months. The anecdote reveals that Holden has the patience to see more than the one side a person shows. He began to stop being so judgemental of Harris because of his beautiful whistling.

How does Holden describe the recording of "Little Shirley Beans"? What is significant about the record?

He describes it as a "very old, terrific record", something significant about the record that Holden points out is that the record wasn't sung by a white chick, but a colored girl that gives it makes the record more than just a "mushy" song, Estelle Fletcher (Singer) knew what the hell she was doing (128). Another reason why it is significant is because the thought of giving Phoebe the record, gives Holden joy.

Does Holden like the movie? Why or why not?

He doesn't like the movie because he thought that "old Jesus probably would've puked if he could see it." He believes that it was the worst thing he could've seen because it was taking the goodness of christmas with all the fancy costumes and extra stuff.

What about adult life in the '40s seems to confound and frustrate Holden's, based on his outburst with Sally?

He doesn't want to live a routined life like how every guy attends a "phony" school and then be "smart enough to buy a Cadillac." Holden wants to escape from the ordinary and invite Sally to come with, but of course she declined the offer.

How does Holden know Carl Luce? What sorts of talks has he had with Carl in the past?

He knows Carl Luce because he had met him while he was at the school, Whooton. The only sorts of talks that he's had with Carl in the past is sex talks late at night in the dorms. He would always talk about creepy guys having affairs with sheep, and guys that go around with girls pants sewed in the lining of their hats and all.

What does Holden pretend while sitting at the bar?

He pretended that he had a bullet in his gut. He would place his hand on his stomach to prevent the blood from spilling all over the ground. He would pretend he was not wounded, so that other people did not know of it.

What does Holden think of the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall?

He thinks it's very pretty, but it doesn't have anything to do with the movie's main topic, which is religion. He thinks that it's too flashy and fancy that doesn't have anything to to with religion or Christmas.

How does Holden feel about going to war? Why do you suppose this is on his mind?

He wouldn't be able to stand the fact of going to war, he thinks it would be torture and would rather just be killed. He was walking through the streets, while he was going to meet Carl Luce and was thinking about war movies, since the movie that he had watched had a bit of war in it. He just started thinking about war, and how his brother D.B. was in the war.

Where does Holden decide to go? Why is he hiding from his parents until Wednesday?

Holden decided to go stay at Mr. Antolini's place. He's hiding from his parents until Wednesday because Wednesday is the day that he's supposed to be back at home, (Penceys actual Winter break) but he came back earlier because he was kicked out of Pencey. He doesn't want to get caught by his parents that he got expelled again from a school, so he's trying to stay with the lie that he's still in Pencey.

When Phoebe asks Holden what he'd like to be, what is his explanation for why he would NOT want to be a lawyer? What does this show about his relationship with his father?

Holden does not want to become a lawyer because he wants to help save people, but lawyers only make a lot of "dough" to "play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink Martinis and look like a hot-shot." This shows that Holden does not have the best relationship with his father because of his purpose of being a lawyer; lawyers usually don't do it to save lives but rather be a great lawyer to be patted on the back from reporters.

Why is Holden "blind" when he calls Sally? What is her reaction when she answers the phone?

Holden is blind because he is really drunk to the point where he cannot see clearly and straight. Sally asked him various of questions such as "where is he? who is he with?" and she also told him to go to bed.

Why did Holden like the museum so much as a kid? What details tell you that?

Holden liked the museum as a kid because everything was always the same, he explained how they were always showing the same exhibits, and they were always in the same place. He loved the smell of rain in the auditorium even when it wasn't raining, he loved the way the security guard would remind the kids not to touch the artifacts "in a nice voice". Everything then was simpler, and there wasn't constant change (133-135)

What is significant about the two things Holden says he likes? Why isn't Phoebe satisfied with his answer?

Holden mentioned that he likes Allie and talking with Phoebe. What is significant about it is that Holden loved Allie a lot, but since his death it has been hard on him this is Phoebe isn't satisfied with his answer because Allies dead and it does not count.

Why did Holden miss Allie's funeral?

Holden missed Allie's funeral because he was in the hospital since he broke his hand punching the windows in the garage.

Why does Holden tells Sally he loves her in the cab on the way to the show?

Holden was being impulsive and in the moment he voiced his love for Sally. Before that they were horsing around and Holden was being "seductive as hell."

What would Holden like to be? Why?

Holden would like to catch the kids who come to close to the cliff when they are playing because he doesn't want them to fall off, and because he wants to be the catcher of the rye.

How does Holden feel about movies and shows? Why doesn't he like actors?

Holden's dislike for movies, shows and actors is very clear in this chapter due to his huge rant about how they're not that fun and they're "nothing to rave about". Holden hates actors because he feels like they are full of themselves and they "never act like people" (130).

When Phoebe asks Holden why he flunked out again, what does he respond?

It takes a lot out of Holden to give a straight answer for why he flunked out again, instead of giving a solid answer, he goes on a large rant about Pencey and how horrible it was and everything about it sucked.

Who was James Castle and what happened to him? Why do you think Holden thinks of him when Phoebe asks him to name one thing he likes?

James castle was another alumni at Holden's old school, Elkton Hill's who was a very quiet boy, that wasn't really acknowledged. James Castle committed suicide by jumping out of a window due to some guys bullying him. Holden thinks of him because, James lived a simple life and wasn't like all of the other guys that were constantly being jerks, james was quiet and reserved, but sadly committed suicide.

Who is Mr. Antolini? Why does Holden like him?

Mr. Antolini was Holden's English teacher at Holden at Elkton Hills. Holden likes Mr. Antolini because he was nice, has a good sense of humor, and you can kid around with him. Also, he was the first one to pick up James Castle, check his pulse, and put his coat over him without caring about whether it gets stained with blood.

What does Phoebe give Holden? Why do you think he cries?

Phoebe gives Holden her Christmas money because he's broke. He's crying because his little sister was being caring towards him and no one really cares that much for him. It's like for the first time he feels that someone wants to do something caring for him.

Based on what Holden says about her, what kind of kid is Phoebe?

Phoebe is very neat, she always has her things neatly folded, she was always dressed nicely, intelligent, comprehends things very well,creative, affectionate.

How can you tell that Phoebe is thrilled to see Holden? What bits of news does she shower on him?

Phoebe was thrilled to see Holden because she screamed his name right away, and then she put her arms around his neck. The news that she showers him with is about how she will be in this play, and that she has the biggest part, and their father won't be home because he will be in California

Why does Phoebe put the pillow over her head?

She was angry that holden was kicked out of another school, and because they are going to kill him.

The description of the museum is one of the most psychologically significant moments in the book. How does Holden's discussion of the museum seem to explain each of his VLAMIF?

The description of the museum is significant because it is one of the only moments where Holden shows something that truly makes him happy, not the museum, but the feeling it gave him. The discussion shows Holden's satisfaction with simplicity and something stable, not something that's constantly changing or moving around.

What is the little boy who is walking with his parents singing? Does that make Holden feel better or worse and why?

The little boy walking with his parents was singing "If a body catch a body coming through the rye". Holden states that this made him feel better, and not so depressed anymore (129).

What is the "terrible thing" that happens when Holden leaves the bar?

The terrible thing that happens when holden leaves the bar is that the little shirley beans record broke into fifty pieces.

What does Holden dislike about Carl? Why does he make the effort to see him, then?

What he doesn't like about Carl is that he never says hello to anyone or is able to have a serious conversation with him unless he feels like it. He doesn't like that Carl would only want to talk about himself about anyone, unless it's about himself. He makes an effort to see him because although he was a pain in the ass, he had a very large vocabulary that he admired and knew a lot about sex, which he wanted to discover more of.