The Catcher In The Rye
List the people that Holden thinks of calling from Penn Station.
D.B, his parents and Jane Gallagher's mother.
Why does Holden go to Ackley's room?
He and Stradlater just fought and he is mad.
What does Spencer do that particularly annoyed Holden?
He read aloud one of Holden's essays
What does Carl think Holden needs?
He thinks Holden needs to get help from a psychiatrist.
How does Holden feel physically while he talks to Mr. Antolini?
Holden feels ill while talking to Mr. Antolini
Where do Holden and Phoebe go after their argument over Holden leaving to live in the country?
They go to the carousel.
Holden Caufiled
16 year old narrator;cynical; expelled from Pencey Prep
Who is Ackley? Describe him
Acne--> "Ack!" He has acne and is in the room next door to Holden. he has bad dental hygiene and really bad manners. He is a catholic
What two things does Holden say he likes? Why isn't Phoebe satisfied with his answer?
Allie and Phoebe. Allie's dead and Phoebe's his sister. Phoebe thinks that he needs to like something tangible.
In what year did Allie die? How much time has passed? How old is Holden now? How old would have Allie been?
Allie died on July 18th, 1946. Holden is 16 now, Allie would've been 14.
Who is Allie? What sort of person was he? How does Holden feel about him?
Allie was Holden's brother who died of leukemia. Allie was intelligent, nice and never got mad. Holden loved him.
Who is Allie, and why is his baseball mitt so special to Holden?
Allie would write poems on his mitt when he was bored out in the outfield. He died young of Leukemia. Notice: At age 13, his brother died. This is around the time when he started getting kicked out of school. His parents wanted him to be psychoanalyzed.
Why do you think Holden cries as Maurice leaves?
Because he is so lonely
Why does it make Holden nervous that Stradlater is going out with Jane Gallagher?
Because it is suggested that Jane was his first love and he probably still loves her, so he is nervous that Stradlater will try and make a move on her, and possibly even more so that she will let him
How can you tell that Phoebe is thrilled to see Holden? What bits of news does she give him?
By the way she lit up when she first saw him, she hugged him and started to talk non-stop. She tells him she's in a play.
How does Holden know Carl Luce? What sorts of talks has he had in the past?
Carl Luce was supposed to be the student adviser at Whooton. They mostly talked about sex, flits, and lesbians.
Who is D.B? Why does the narrator call him a prostitute?
D.B is Holden's brother. Holden calls him a prostitute because D.B sells his stories so people can turn them into movies. He thinks he is selling himself short.
How is Holden feeling when he gets back to the hotel?
Depressed
After Maurice leaves, how does Holden feel? Why doesn't he jump out a window- as he considers doing?
Depressed and suicidal. He didn't jump out the window because he diddn't want everyone seeing his guts, he thought of Jane, but mostly, because deep down Holden doesn't want to commit suicide.
What does Holden mean when he says, "Don't even tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."?
Don't get close to anyone. They will leave or disappoint you
Who sits next to Holden on the train?
Ernest Morrow's mother
Who is Ernie? Why does Holden consider him "phoney"? Why, then, do you think that he sent Ernie a message asking him over for a drink?
Ernie is a guy that plays the piano at a bar. Holden thinks he's a phoney because Ernie gave a humble bow when he finished a song, when he's really a big snob. I think Holden was lonely, and Ernie sitting and having a drink with him would give him some attention which he craves.
What is the "spooky thing" that happens to Holden as he is walking down Fifth Avenue?
Every time he came to the end of a block and stepped off the curb, he had a feeling that he'd never get to the other side of the street-that he'd just keep going down and nobody would ever see him again.
Why does Holden consider the Andover acquaintance Sally meets in the lobby a "phoney?"
George is expressive- stepped back when he answered Sally's question. He makes assumptions about him as a "typical" Ivy-leaguer.
Where does Holden go after he leaves Mr. Antolini's?
Grand Central Station.
What evidence shows us that Holden might have made a good actor?
He acts older than he is or tells people that he is someone else. He tries on personalities
How does Holden "act" again in this chapter? The chapter with the piano player?
He acts really drunk. He talks to the piano player and he calls Sally in the middle of the night. He's very intrusive and doesn't pay attention to the normal standards. He acts lonelier and reckless since he's drunk. Now, he's also a mess since he's crying in the bathroom. He also acts like he has the stomach wound. He wants to know what people would think if he died. Who would care about him? It's also a physical representation of him. he's trying to keep it from people, but he would willing to share if anyone asked about his situation.
What does Holden ask the taxi driver about the ducks?
He asked if he knows where they go when the pond freezes. If the ducks stay in the pond, it's a symbol that Holden will stay frozen in adolescences. If the ducks fly south then too Holden will have the freedom to grow up.
Who does D.B bring along on his visit with Holden? What does D.B talk with Holden about on that visit?
He brigs a girl. D.B asks Holden questions about what happened before Christmas.
Who does Holden make a date with? Why does he call her up if he thinks she's a phony?
He calls Sally. He knew that she had an interest in theater and he wanted some companionship. He wanted to go to the matinee with her. When he is turned on by someone he pushes the idea aside that they could ever be a phony
Why do you think that Holden can't stop thinking about Jane Gallagher?
He can't get over the fact that Stradlater and her could've had sex. Holden is so lonely and desperate, and is clearly in love with Jane.
What kind of health does Holden appear to be in?
He claims to be a smoker, he is out of shape, and breathes heavily. The smoking as a teen signifies how he is trying to be cool, being a typical teenage. He "almost got TB."
What are Holden's religious beliefs?
He claims to be an atheist, but he seems to believe in something.
What does Holden do when he gets into the apartment and finds Phoebe asleep?
He creeps around the apartment, not knowing his parents aren't home. He watches Phoebe sleep and reads some of her books on her desk.
What makes Holden cry?
He cries when the stripper comes in with the pimp. However, he does a good job of standing his ground
After talking to Phoebe last night, what does Holden decide he must do next? Where does he first go?
He decided he must go west to work on a ranch. He is going to say goodbye to Phoebe and have lunch with her
Where does Holden then decide to go after leaving Prency Prep?
He decides to leave for New York. It was impulsive, and he was very embarrassed and had no one, really
Why did Holden fail his speech class?
He didn't go to class. He liked when people digressed from their topic
When Phoebe asks Holden why he flunked out of school again, what does he respond? Do you think that he is being honest?
He didn't like the school, it was full of phonies, he defers the blame as always. Nothing will make Holden happy until he finds happiness himself.
What does Holden say about him hating people, such as Ackley and Stradlater?
He doesn't hate people consistently, but when they do certain things.
Why is it so important to Holden that Phoebe not be mad at him? Relate this to his past, and Allie
He doesn't want Phoebe to be mad at him and then die like Allie did-- guilt.
Why does Holden yell at Phoebe?
He doesn't want her to come with him.
What strange feeling does Holden start to have when he steps off the curbs?
He feels like he won't make it to the other side of the curb and will disappear.
How does Holden feel when he watched Phoebe on the carousel?
He feels like letting her reach for the ring is like he's letting her grow up.
How does Holden get along with the two little boys in the museum? Toward what other children in the story has he shown a similar attitude?
He get's along with them great. He shows similar attitude towards all children (people with innocence) in the novel.
How does Holden treat the nuns?
He gives them a donation and then tries to pay for their meal, treating them extremely nicely. They are some of the few non corrupt adults that he encounters
What happens after Holden goes home? Why do you suppose Holden doesn't tell about that in more detail?
He goes to the hospital because he had a mental breakdown. He doesn't like talking about it.
Why is the narrator leaving Pencey?
He got kicked out for having bad grades.
Does Holden have any guilty feelings about Allie? Do you feel this is abnormal in any way, or normal?
He has guilty feelings. One time, Holden excluded him. This is normal because it is a very human feeling to have. It shows human nature It is especially worse because death makes it harder to reconcile
Who is Stradlater? Briefly describe him.
He is Holden's roommate. He's described as conceited, but good looking with broad shoulders . Holden say's he has no scruples.
What does Holden's father do?
He is a corporate lawyer and Holden says he makes a lot of money.
Who is Ackley? Does the narrator seem to like him?
He is a guy that roomed next to Holden, who never leaves his room that is very tall and round shouldered. He's described as pimply and with mossy teeth. Holden describes him as nosey and annoying.
Who is Stradlater? Why does Holden refer to him as a "secret slob"? What does he look like?
He is a slob. He acts like he has it all put together but he does not
What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood "being a prostitute"?
He is giving people what they want. He is being metaphorical. D.B. writes movie scripts there
When is Holden going back to school?
He is going back next fall.
Where is Holden as the story begins
He is in some sore of mental institution program
Why is Holden being kicked out of Pencey Prep?
He is kicked out for failing 4/5 of classes. The only class he passed was English
Who is Maurice and why does he knock on Holden's door?
He is the elevator man that offered Holden a prostitute for 5 dollars. Maurice later knocks on Holden's door with Sunny, the prostitute, claiming that Holden was supposed to pay 10 dollars and demanded the money. Maurice hit Holden in the stomach and Sunny took another 5 from Holden's wallet.
How does Holden treat the two small boys in the museum?
He is very kind to the boys and takes them to the mummy area of the museum
What is Holden's opinion of the Christmas show at Radio City?
He knows it's supposed to be religious, but he "can't see anything religious or pretty." He says how Jesus wouldn't notice the pretty costumes or acting, it would be the drummer
Why does Holden want to take off with Sally now instead of after college? What's the difference in his eyes?
He knows that if he hated her earlier, and lovers her now, both in the same day, then he knows that his emotions are fleeting. He wants to take advantage of loving her right now. When he yells in public at her, this is the first time we see him fall apart. He thinks that society is superficial yet does not go against it. Phony? Mental illness? He is not well at this point in his life.
Does Holden know his way around the city? What does this tell us about him?
He knows the city well and wanders and explores. It shows that he grew up there
What lies does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow? Why?
He lies about his name, about how he got his nose bleed, and about how he feel about Ernest. He doesn't want her to know the truth about any of it.
With all the bad language that Holden uses, why was he so upset that curse words were written on a school wall?
He loves the innocence of children and feels this bad language takes away the innocence of children.
How do Holden's feelings for women compare to his feelings for men?
He loves women and puts them on a pedestal. However, he complains a lot about women, but then again that is natural. He does not seem to have any good guy friendships
What rule concerning girls has Holden made for himself?
He made a rule to quit horsing around with girls. He broke it the same night with a girl.
What is the "big mess" Holden gets himself into when he steps onto the elevator?
He met the elevator man that offered Holden a prostitute for 5 dollars. Holden agrees only wanting the girl so she can talk to him because he's that lonely and desperate.
What does Holden order to drink at the Lavender room? Why does he end up drinking a Coke instead?
He ordered a Scotch and soda. The waiter knew he wasn't of drinking age.
What plan does Holden concoct for escaping everything?
He plans to leave town, never go to school again. He'd bum rides to go out West, then find himself a job pumping gas where he'd pretend to be a deaf-mute person so nobody would talk to him and he wouldn't have to talk anybody.
Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed?
He punched a window and was acting pretty crazy after Allie died, got kicke dout of loads of schools, so his parents wanted to get him psychoanalyzed because it was the hip thing to do at the time. They just wanted to seem like they were trying to 'fix' him
What does Holden give us as the reason for "leaving" Elkton Hills?
He puts the blame on the school master who treated the wealthy people right and the poor wrong. He would not even talk to the poor supposedly
What does Holden mean, "I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot"? Give examples of what he reads
He read, "Out of Africa." He does not have confidence in himself and is maybe trying on language and personality. Maybe he says this because people have told him this in his lifetime over and over again
Why does the article on hormones upset Holden?
He realized he had the bad hormones that the article described.
How does Holden explain the fact that he is not in school?
He said he has a tiny little tumour on his brain and needs an operation.
Previously, Holden stated he was a "pacifist." Does his description of how he should deal with the "glove thief: support this, or is he just "yellow"?
He said he would confront the guy and nicely ask for the glove back. He does not want confrontation, however. Just because he is scared does not make him a coward. He is failing to see himself for who he is
What sorts of "perverts" does Holden see at the hotel?
He saw a gray haired man that wore woman's clothes and a couple spitting water at one another.
Why does Holden start thinking of Dick Slagle her former roommate?
He saw the nuns worn out suitcases at Grand Central Station.
When Phoebe asks Holden what he'd like to be, what is his explanation for why he would not like to be a lawyer?
He says lawyers are phonies, they just play gold and drink martinis. He doesn't want to defend someone who isn't innocent. They're relationship isn't good.
What is his final goodbye to Pencey Prep
He screams, "Sleep tight morons!"
How does Holden treat little kids? Give an example
He seems caring and is surprised by the respect form the children these days, He helped her with her skates and offered her hot chocolate because he noticed that her hands were cold, but she did not take it. He was looking for help to find his sister, but in the end, he was the one who ended up helping her
What happens to Holden at the Wicker Bar?
He talks to the pianist at the bar. He needed someone to talk to since he's, "feeling so damn depressed and lonesome."
What point does Holden try to make about people when he talk s about Stradlater and the "Commas" and Ackley's description of the basketball player?
He tells Holden to add commas in the wrong places of his paper because Stradlater does not think he is as good of a writer as Holden. Holden thinks that this is dumb because what makes a paper good is its content, not the placement of commas. Ackley says that what makes a basketball player is his build. This annoys Holden because what makes a player good is talent and skill.
Why does Holden think about James Castle when Phoebe asks him to name one thing that he likes a lot? Why does he deny really knowing James? What does it tell us about Holden when he says, "Just because somebody's dead, you don't just stop liking them, for God's sake-- especially if they were a thousand times nicer than the people you know that're alive and all'?
He thinks about James because he is thinking about the cruelty in the world making him go crazy. It is a perfect example of how cruel people bully the weak people. It shows Holden's inability to concentrate and proves Phoebe's point that he doesn't really like anything. He likes that James isn't phony and won't back down when he is being bullied. He and James never talked and weren't really friends, but James borrowed Holden's sweater once (the sweater he killed himself in). He is still hung up on Allie's death and doesn't want to forget about him. He feels really alone and Allie was one of the only people he actually liked.
How does Holden feel about actors? How does he feel about the Lunts?
He thinks that actors are phonies. Good actors who are too aware of their amazing skill will lose the factor that makes them so great. When someone knows how great they are, it ruins what made them great. Humility is needed.
What evidence is there that shows us that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?
He thinks that he is mature and older looking, but he is not. He got carded, mocked by the girls at the bar, and tries proving he has grey hair. He is searching for confidence
Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?
He thinks that he will be judged or perhaps be excluded. Holden also thinks that it might even be a class indicator of sorts, and that people are trying to figure out who he is in ways he doesn't think are of value.
What does Holden think of the three women he meets in the Lavender room?
He thinks they are morons, ignorant and ugly (except for the blonde).
What does Ackley do that annoys Holden?4
He walks around Holden's room, picks up all this stuff, and put it back in the wrong place One item was Holden's picture of a girl he "used to go around with" named Sally Hayes Ackley asks about the hat and informs him that it is a deer-hunting hat Ackely proceeds to cut his toenails and leave the clippings all over the floor.
Why does Holden go to Phoebe's school? Why does the graffiti make him so angry?
He wanted to say goodbye and give her back her Christmas money, so he wrote a note and gave it to an old lady who would give it to her. He didn't want the little, innocent kids to see something so harsh and rude everyday.
What would Holden like to be and why?
He wants to be a catcher in the rye. He wants to catch kids from jumping off the cliff which means that he wants to save their innocence by stopping them from jumping off the the "cliff" into adulthood.
What does Holden suddenly decide to visit Ackley's room?
He wants to be in a different place from Stradlater
Who was Harris Macklin and why didn't Holden like him?
He was Holden's roommate at Elkton Hills. He didn't like him because he was boring.
Who is Whilhem Stekel and why does Mr. Antolini quote him?
He was a psychoanalyst and he talks about depression - he sees Holden as depressed.
Who was James Castle? Why do you think Holden thinks of him when Phoebe asks him to name one thing he likes?
He was a student who was bullied frequently and when he stood up for himself by calling a jock conceited, he was beaten again and as an escape, he jumped out a window. Holden admires that James stood up for himself since Holden doesn't do that for himself.
Why do you think Holden tells Sally that he loves her in the cab on the way to the show? What is her response?
He was in the heat of the moment and he just blurted it out without thinking. Sally said it back.
Why did Holden miss Allie's funeral?
He was in the hospital for punching a window.
What does Holden find so intriguing about Phoebe's note-book?
He was intrigued because Phoebe wrote her middle name as "Weatherfield" when in actuality, it is "Josephine." Holden is charmed by her innocence.
Why is Holden worrying when Stradlater returned?
He was worried Stradlater and Jane had sex.
What does Holden think of the Christmas show at Radio city Music Hall?
He wasn't in the right mood and didn't think it was a big deal.
After he leaves the park, where does Holden go?
He went home after he leaves the park
Who was Luce to Holden?
He went to school with Holden at Whooten. Holden didn't particularly like him. Holden even calls him, "strictly a pain in the ass." Luce seems very homophobic as does Holden in this chapter. Luce is probably not the casanova he makes himself out to be. Luce gives sex talks even though he is likely not experienced
Why does he keep repeating, "Allie, don't let me disappear"?
He's alone, nobody knows that he is in the city and feels weak, unseen, almost sick. He is pleading with Allie to watch him so that he literally does not disappear into the bigness of New York, his mind, or possibly life itself
What is the little boy who is walking with his parents singing? Does that make Holden feel better or worse?
He's singing "Coming thru the rye". Better.
Where does Holden go on Saturday night? What does he end up doing?
He, Mal Brossard, and Ackley go into Agerstown to see a movie. They had hamburgers and played the pinball machine instead because Mal and Ackley had already seen the movie playing.
What does Phoebe give Holden?
Her Christmas money.
What topic does Holden choose for the composition he is writing for Stradlater?
His brother Allie's baseball mitt
Who is Mr. Antolini? Why does Holden like him?
His favorite teacher. When the guy jumped out a window, he was the one that covered the body and took him to the infirmary.
Who is Phoebe, and what is Holden's opinion of her?
His sister whom he loves. She is very funny and cool. She has a really nice and spontaneous personality. She is very self assured compared to Holden. She is 10 years old
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?
His suitcase is way nicer than his roommates so he puts his suitcase under the bed. But it backfires when the roommate takes it out, acting like it was his own. This shows sympathy from Holden. He also feels bad for nuns because he has way more than they do
Why does Holden "talk to Allie" after Sunny leaves? Why does Holden "tell" Allie "go home and get your bike and meet me in front of Bobby Fallon's house"?
Holden "talks to Allie" when he gets depressed. Holden and Bobby were going to bike over to a friend's house to shoot BB guns and Allie wanted to go too. Holden said no because he was a child and now feels guilty for saying no.
What did Holden buy in New York after losing the foils?
Holden bought a hunting hat. It is a symbol of his uniqueness and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him.
Why did it depress Holden when an "Old guy" tells him that his days at Pencey were the happiest days of his life?
Holden didn't have that experience and he thought it was phony and the fact that it was about his future made him upset.
What does Holden dislike about Carl Luce?
Holden doesn't like that Carl himself does flitty things. Holden makes the effort to see him because he's running out of people to talk to and he's desperate.
How does Holden feel about movies and live shows? Why doesn't he like actors?
Holden doesn't like when people want to go see a movie. He doesn't like actors because they never act like people. He doesn't like live shows that much, but he liked them more than movies.
What does Holden give to Phoebe?
Holden gives Phoebe his red hunting hat and pieces of the broken record
Where does Holden go right after he leaves Ellie's?
Holden goes to the phone booth and calls Sally Hayes. Then, he goes to the duck pond in Central Park.
Why did Holden get mad at Luce for calling his old girlfriend the "***** of New Hampshire"?
Holden idolizes women. Luce should respect her and shouldn't shame her for anything since she did "sexy" things with him. Its a double standard since he did the same exact things with her
Why is Holden "blind" when he calls Sally? What is her reaction when she answers the phone?
Holden is drunk when he calls Sally. Sally is annoyed, angry.
Holden says that he is a "pacifist." What is that, and is he?
Holden is not a pacifist. Although, he likes the idea of being one.
Why does Holden leave Ernie's?
Holden leaves Ernie's because he saw D.B's ex girlfriend, Lillian Simmons. He thought that she was a phony because he assumed she was just talking to him so Holden would tell D.B. that he saw her. He thinks that Lillian is pretentious by standing in the middle of the walkway
Why did Holden like the museum so much as a kid? How does Holden seem to feel about change?
Holden likes museum because they don't change. Holden hates change because of the death of his brother and the loss of innocence.
What is Holden's opinion of the nuns in the train station?
Holden likes the nuns and enjoyed talking to them. He doesn't think they are phoney because they took the time to have a conversation with him. They are innocent and Holden admires innocence.
What information does Holden finally tell us about Allie's funeral?
Holden missed Allie's funeral because he was still in the hospital after he hurt his hand. He feels a lot of guilt for this.
What is the "terrible thing" when Holden leaves the bar?
Holden mistakenly drops the record he wanted to give to Phoebe.
What does Holden pretend while sitting at the bar?
Holden pretends that he got shot because he wants to feel tough and he wants to feel wanted (if he died people would care).
What would Holden have done if he found out who stole his gloves? WHy does he consider himself "yellow"?
Holden said that he wouldn't have done much. Yellow means coward.
What does Holden say about Allie that contradicts all his other statements about being an atheist?
Holden says he knows that Allie's soul is in Heaven. Holden says that because it makes him feel better that Allie is someplace better.
What does Holden tell Phoebe he'd like to be?
Holden says he would like to be a catcher in the rye, and stand at the edge of the cliff and catch the chldren when they are close to falling off. He has a desire to keep children innocent and wants to save them.
How does Holden describe himself physically?
Holden says he's 6'2 and a half and has gray hair on one side of his head.
Later, after he has had time to think about it, what does Holden think about Antolini?
Holden started questioning himself and realized his judgment was a little off.
Why does Holden laugh as he watched the men unloading the Christmas tree? How does he feel?
Holden thought it was funny that one guy said "hold the sonuvabitch up" because "it was such Christmas spirit" Holden felt like throwing up after he laughed.
Why does Holden walk down Broadway looking for a record store?
Holden wanted to find a record called "Little Shirley Bean" for Phoebe.
What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?
Holden wants to know the details of the sate and Stradlater says that he "does not kiss and tell."
How does Holden feel about going to war? Why do you suppose this is on his mind?
Holden would want to be in front of a firing squad. I think Holden has war on his mind because he is depressed, and war has a lot of death associated with it and Holden thinks of death often.
Allie
Holden's brother who died of leukemia; Holden describes him as the smartest Caufield and keeps his baseball mitt
Who is Horwitz? What do he and Holden talk about?
Holden's cab driver. They talked about the fish and the ducks in the lagoon in Central Park
What does Antolini's quote mean, "the mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one"?
Holden's cause is getting rid of phoniness-immature
Mr. Spencer
Holden's history teacher at Pencey who tries to help Holden get it together
Ackley
Holden's next door neighbor in his dorm at Pencey' halitosis and pimples;
DB
Holden's older brother; writer; Holden considers him a prostitute because he writes because he writes for Hollywood movies
Stradlater
Holden's roommate at Pencey; dates Jane Gallagher; handsome and popular
Why doesn't Holden eat the doughnuts he has ordered?
If you get very depressed it's hard to swallow.
Where does Holden seem to be as he tells the story?
In rehab or some institution.
What happens to Phoebe's record?
It breaks. Holden cries and feels guilty. Gives Phoebe the pieces even though it broke.
What is the carrousel symbolic of?
It is cyclical; life keeps going and going. It symbolizes childhood; Holden is afraid of growing up
Where and what is Pencey Prep
It is in Pennsylvania and is a boys boarding school.
How does Holden describe a boy's school when talking to Sally?
It is not about learning to learn, it is about working towards prosperity, wealth, and rewards
What does it tell us about Holden when Phoebe states, "You don't like anything that's happening"?
It tells us that he is really depressed and doesn't really know what he likes. He is immature, and likes to argue he can't see the good in anything and Phoebe calls him out on it
Who is Stradlater's date?
Jane Gallagher
Holden calls other people phony. In what way is/isn't he one?
Maybe he really is not a phony. He is self searching and is trying to be the person he wants to be even though he is not there yet.
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
Why is Holden upset when he wakes up to find Mr. Antonoli petting his head? Should he be? What do you think about "the kind of stuff's happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid"?
Mr. Antolini is touching his face. It was creepy and he was drunk. Holden was saying he's been molested before.
How does Antolini upset and scare Holden?
Mr. Antolini was stroking Holden's head, and Holden thinks he is pulling a homosexual advance.
Where does Holden decide to go? Why is he hiding from his parents until Wednesday?
Mr. Antolini's. He doesn't want them to know about being kicked out of Pencey and his mother is depressed and they don't want to set her off. They're all careful around her because she's fragile.
Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him?
Mr. Spencer is a teacher at Pencey that taught Holden History. Holden visited him because Spencer sent him a note asking him to before vacation started.
Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him?
Mr. Spencer is his teacher. He wrote Holden a letter to come and visit him before he leavers. He took time to have interest in him and skipped the game for him. He cares enough to call out Holden and tells hims to get his life together. He, Holder, is looking for someone to understand him and does not get that understanding from Mr. Spencer.
Why does Mr. Spencer read the essay about Egyptians? How does Holden react to having the paper read aloud?
Mr. Spencer read Holden's essay to prove how Holden didn't put any effort into his essay. Holden was annoyed.
Does Holden like the show?
No
What is Pencey Prep?
Pencey Prep is a school located in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. It's an expensive, private school for boys.
Why does Holden decide to leave Pencey in the middle of the night- days earlier than he had planned? Where does he plan to go?
Pencey made Holden sad and lonesome. He planned to go to New York, find a hotel room until Wednesday.
How does Phoebe cover for Holden when their parents came home?
Phoebe covers for Holden when the parents come home by saying that she was smoking (Holden had been smoking a cigarette earlier) She said she took one puff to help her sleep.
In talking with her parents how does Phoebe "sound" like Holden?
Phoebe is similar to Holden because she is sassy, and she was lying to them. She also uses the word "lousy." sShe sounds like Holden because she tries to sound more matures than she really is.
What does Phoebe do that makes Holden cry?
Phoebe makes Holden cry when she gives him all of her Christmas money
What are the main settings in the novel?
Prency Prep and New York City
Who is Lillian Simmons? What does Holden think of her?
She is a girl that used to go out with D.B. Holden thinks she's a phony, he didn't like her very much. He sees her at Ernie's.
Why does Phoebe put the pillow over her head?
She is frustrated at Holden that he got kicked out of school.
How is Jane different from most of the girls Holden knows?
She is innocent, doesn't judge him, she's truthful and she doesn't care if his hand is sweaty when they hold hands. They had an intimate friendship that Holden thinks fondly of.
How does Holden happen to know Jane? How does he seem to feel about Stradlater dating her?
She lived close to him when they were younger. He is jealous.
Why did Holden think the woman who cried through the movie was a phony?
She wouldn't let her son use the restroom. Since she cried so much, Holden says that, "nine times out of ten they're mean bastards at heart."
Who is Sally Hayes? Does Holden like her? What does he think of her?
She's a girl that Holden calls up on the phone because he wasn't in the mood to talk to Jane. He likes her, but she is always late and he thinks she's a pain, but good looking. Sally is intelligent because she knows a lot about theater and literature. He displayed her picture at Pencey.
What does Holden like about his sister Phoebe?
She's smart and always knows exactly what you're talking about. Holden thinks Phoebe is funny, witty, and she dances well.
Why doesn't Stradlater like the composition? What happens?
Stradlater thought it was dumb and wanted it to be about a room or house. Holden rips it up which starts up a fight.
What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow? Do you think he's as sorry for them as he states?
That his son is adaptable, modest, kind, etc. He probably does not feel that bad because it had good intention to make her be proud of her son. He also told her that he was getting intense surgery in his brain!
Why does Holden feel worse after reading the article in the magazine about hormones?
The article described how you should look if your hormones were in good shape and Holden looks like the guy with lousy hormones.
What is Holden's point about the difference between men owning a car and men owning a horse?
The car shows materialism and a horse shows that there is some sort of relationship present. This can show that Holden wants to stop the advancement process and does not like progress
Who is the narrator? About what does he promise to tell the reader?
The narrator is Holden Caulfield. He promises to tell the reader about this "madman" stuff that happened to him around last Christmas.
How do you learn that both Holden and Phoebe are good dancers?
They dance together. The live in an elite society, so they have to be able to dance at functions and things.
What sort of talk does Mr. Antolini have with Holden about his flunking out? How is that similar or different to the lecture from Mr. Spencer?
They have a serious talk, and he thinks that Holden shouldn't be flunking out. It's almost the exact same lecture, but Holden didn't mind hearing it from Antolini.
Why do Sally and Holden go skating? Did they have a good time?
They went so Sally can wear a skirt and show her stuff to Holden. They hated it.
How did Holden let the fencing team down?
They were going to New York and he forgot the team equipment on the subway.
What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?
They were really close, almost like crushes. Maybe, Jane was his first love. It is a pretty innocence romance
What does Holden mean when he says, "Mothers are all slightly insane"?
They will always believe the best about their kid
What favor does Stradlater ask of the narrator?
To write a composition for his English class.
What did Jane and Holden use to play? What did Jane used to do during the game?
When Jane and Holden played checkers, Jane used to keep all her kings in the back row because she liked how they looked there.
What are Whooton and Elkton Hills and why does Holden leave them?
Whooton and Elkton are schools Holden previously attended before Pencey. He got kicked out of both of them, but he claims he quit Elkton because he was "surrounded by phonies" and he hated the headmaster.
What does Holden mean when he states, "The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them"?
You have to let children try it on their own first. "let them scrape their knee so they know."
Jane Gallagher
one of the few girls that Holden respects; dated Stradlater
red hunting hat
symbol of Holden's uniqueness and individuality
