THE CATCHER IN THE RYE - mtsd.k12.nj.us



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THE CATCHER IN THE RYE – Chapter One: Close reading

Directions: Answer each question carefully by referring to the actual text of the chapter. Questions that ask you to explain your answer require detail.

PAGE 1:

1. This narration is in person.

2. How does the choice of narrative voice affect the reader?

3. Who is David Copperfield and why does Holden mention him? (Hint: he is not a magician!)

4. Explain where Holden is and to whom he is “talking.” (Hint: more clues on p.5)

5. How much does a Jaguar cost now?

By 1950, a cheaper Jaguar cost $4,500. How wealthy is Holden’s brother?

PAGE 2:

6. When Holden says, “it killed me,” what does he mean?

a. He hated it.

b. He liked it.

c. It hurt his feelings.

d. Other (suggest something)

e.

7. Explain what “it” is and your answer to #6.

8. D.B. works as a …

a. movie actor

b. male prostitute

c. short story writer

d. screenplay writer

9. Explain your answer to #8.

10. Holden’s tone in paragraph 2 is…

a. admiring

b. sarcastic

c. confident

d. other (suggest something)

11. Explain your answer to #10.

12. If school spirit is “required” of students, will they have any? Explain.

13. When almost everyone is at the football game, where is Holden? What does that show about him? (Hint: consider his relationship with other people.)

14. Holden describes the visiting team’s cheering section as “faggy.” Discuss his use of this word: what does he mean by it? What does it show about him? How do you think he feels about gay people?

15. Do people still use this word or others like it? Why?

PAGE 3:

16. Explain what kind of girl Selma is. (Hint: is she “supermodel pretty” or “incredibly intelligent? Is there anything special about her?) This is important because she is the first girl Holden tells us about.

17. In Paragraph 4, Holden refers to “falsies” and “phonies.” Explain these terms. This is important because Holden frequently questions what people are really like.

18. Holden says his afternoon was “pretty funny, in a way.” Explain what happened and whether it was “funny.”

19. What’s the grippe?

Page 4:

20. Why didn’t Holden try to “apply himself” at Pencey Prep? What kind of school might Holden like?

21. What kind of a school is Pencey Prep? According to Holden’s implication, why does it have such a good “academic rating”?

22. Holden frequently says “and all.” Why would Salinger, the writer, use this slang filler (it’s like saying “ummm”) in his writing?

23. Holden claims that richer schools have more “crooks” who steal things. Do you agree?

24. Explain why Holden must try “to feel some kind of a goodbye.” What can we surmise (conclude) about Holden from what he says in Paragraph 8?

25. Do you agree with Holden that a sad or bad goodbye is better than no goodbye at all?

26. Explain Holden’s goodbye memory of Pencey.

27. Explain what Holden’s goodbye memory could symbolize in the book.

PAGE 5-6:

28. Why did Holden quit smoking? What is t.b.? How are these two things related to where Holden is? (Hint: see #4.)

29. Is Holden wealthy or not? Explain using this quote and any other relevant detail. (Hint: find out the typical annual cost of a live-away boy’s private school on the Main Line outside Philadelphia, PA.)

30. Consider Holden’s relationship with the Spencers. How does she react to seeing him? Why is he visiting them today?

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