Catcher in the Rye Study Guide 

Chapters 1 – 2
1. Who is Selma Thurmer and what does Holden think about her?

2. Why was Holden kicked out of Pencey Prep?

3. In the conversation between Holden and Mr. Spencer, who appears to be comforting whom? How is this ironic?

4. Why does Holden think about the ducks in Central Park while he is with Mr. Spencer?

5. Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills? 

6. Who was Mr. Haas? What was he like?

Chapters 3 – 6
7. What is Holden’s opinion of Mr. Ossenburger? On what does he base that opinion? 

8. What kind of hat does Holden wear and why does he wear it? 

9. Describe Ackley. Why does he hate Stradlater?

10. What does Holden mean when he calls Stradlater a "secret slob?"

11. How does Holden react to Jane Gallagher’s name? What especially does he remember about her?

12. Why does Holden decide to write about Allie?

13. How did Holden react to Allie’s death?

Chapter 7
14. Why is Holden so upset about Stradlater’s date with Jane Gallagher?

15. What does Holden think about doing with his life?

16. What does he actually do?

17. What is Holden’s final gesture before leaving the school?

18. What happens to him as he’s about to leave?

Chapter  8
19. Who is Ernest Morrow?

20. What does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow about her son and why?

21. Since Holden lies so much in this chapter, would you say that he too is a phony? Why/why not?

22. How do Holden’s lies differ from those of other people?

Chapter  9
23. Who is Sally Hayes and why doesn’t Holden call her?

24. What does Holden ask the cab driver?

Chapter  11
25. What is it that Holden likes about Jane Gallagher? (She’s the only person to whom he shows Allie’s glove.)

26. Why does Holden kiss Jane? Is it a sexual gesture? Why/why not?

27. Why does he stop telling us about Jane? (p.80)

Chapters 12 – 14
28. What is Horwitz’s response to Holden’s question about the ducks in Central Park?

29. Why does Holden hate fist fights?

30. Why does he get depressed with Sunny?

31. What is ironic about the above scene?

32. In what way does Lillian Simmons represent the shallowness of society?

33. Why does Holden, a self-admitted coward, fight Maurice over a measly $5.00?

Chapters. 15-16
34. In what context does Holden finally mention his father?

35. Who is Holden's favorite character in Romeo and Juliet and why?

36. Why does he give the nuns $10?

37. What does Holden find attractive about the family he follows down the street? (Note the song that the child is singing.)

38. What scene in Hamlet does Holden like best and why?

39. How is his decision not to enter the Museum of Natural History important to the novel?

40. Why do you think Salinger refers to Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet?

Chapters 17-19
41. Why does Holden comment that "She wouldn't have been anybody to go with" after he fights with Sally?

42. What are Holden's feelings about war?

43. Compare and contrast Holden and Luce.

Chapters. 20-23
44. Holden dons his hunting cap as he leaves the bar and goes out into the night. How is this a symbolic gesture?

45. How does Holden's mood change when he see Phoebe sleeping?

46. What is Phoebe's reaction to Holden?

47. Who is James Castle? Why is he important?

48. What does Phoebe give Holden at the end of the chapter and why does Holden cry? What does he give her in return and what can that gesture be symbolic of?

Chapters. 24-26
49. What kind of a relationship do Mr. And Mrs. Antolini have?

50. Basically, what does Mr. Antollini tell Holden?

51. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini's house?

52. What signs indicate Holden's impending breakdown?

53. What is the importance of the foul language Holden discovers when he is about to deliver a note to his sister?

54. What happens to Holden in the museum?

55. What does Holden learn about his desire to be the protector of all children as he watches Phoebe on the carousel?

56. What is happening to Holden at the end of chapter 25?

57. What is Holden's answer when the psychoanalyst asks him if he will apply himself when he goes back to school? (p.213)

58. What do you think this indicates about Holden?