Www.nhvweb.net



Catcher in the Rye Study QuestionsChapter 11. Based on subtle clues given by Holden, from where is the story being told?Mental Hospital2. Where is Holden’s brother, D.B., currently living? What can we assume he is doing there? Why would Holden say that he is a prostitute?Hollywood. He is writing movies and selling them, He is a sell out.3. What is Holden’s opinion of Pencey? How does this contrast with what Pencey says about their school?He thinks it is phony. Pencey wants to seem prestigious.4. According to Holden, how should he feel about the Pencey football game? Does he feel this way? Why?You should feel like committing suicide if they lose. Holden does not feel that way, he feels this way because he has been kicked out and didn’t like the school from the beginning. 5. Why was Holden kicked out of Pencey?He was kicked out because he was failing 4 classes.6. Why doesn’t Holden have a coat? What does this lead him to say about expensive schools?He doesn’t have a coat because it got stolen. The more expensive the more crooks.Chapter 21. How old is Mr. Spencer? Why does Holden wonder why Mr. Spencer is still living?He is about 70. He wonders why he is still living because he is sick and has to take many pills.2. Dr. Thurmer claims that life is a game (8). What is the second part of Dr. Thurmer’s quote? What does Holden have to say about this comparison?You have to play by the rules. It is game if you’re on the side of the hot shots.3. How old is Holden? What aspects make him not seem his age?Holden is 16 (17 when telling the story). His bad vocabulary, he acts like he is 13, has gray hair, and he is tall.4. In summary, what does Holden’s note at the end of his term paper say to Mr. Spencer? Why did he write this? He wrote that he doesn’t care if you flunk him. His writes that because he is embarrassed to fail.5. What does Holden want to know about ducks? Why might he want to know this?He wants to know where they go in the winter. His situation is like the ducks and he has to find a new place to go.6. Why didn’t Holden like Elkton Hills?He didn’t like Elkton Hills because it was phony.Chapter 31. Why is the hall that Holden lives in named after Ossenburger? According to Holden, why was Ossenburger able to charge only five dollars to bury a person? If this is true, what does it prove about Pencey?Because the guy that donated money for the hall was ossenburger. Because he puts him in a sack and throws them in the river and pencey is phony 2. What types of books does Holden like to read?He likes to read books that the book makes you want to befriend the author. 3. Describe Ackley. What are some things that Holden says about him? Are they mostly positive or negative?A nobody doesn’t like anybody, he’s a senior has rounded shoulders, mossy teeth, has a lot of pimples, about 6’4”4. What does Ackley do while in Holden’s room?He walks around picks up personal belongings and misplaces them. 5. What is Ackley’s opinion of Stradlater? Why?He doesn’t like him because he insults him a lot. 6. How does Stradlater treat Ackley when he enters the room?He gives him phony nice greetings. Chapter 41. How is Stradlater similar to Ackley? They’re both slobs. They both annoy Holden. 2. Who is Stradlater in love with? As of result of this, what does Stradlater expect others to do? Specifically, what does he want Holden to do for him? He is in love with himself. He expects people to do favors for him. He wants Holden to write a descriptive composition for English. 3. Holden claims that he hates the movies, but he likes to imitate them (29). What is the only thing that Holden claims he needs? Why is this somewhat ironic? Holden claims that he only needs an audience. It is ironic because he hates movies. 4. After Stradlater claims he is going on a date, what does he have trouble remembering? What does this suggest? He has trouble remembering her name. This suggests that he is a player.5. When Holden tries to tell Stradlater about his date, how does Stradlater respond? What does this suggest about Stradlater and his goals in a relationship? He ignores Holden and is interested when he hears that her dad is a drunk who walks around naked. 6. According to Holden, where does Stradlater spend half of his life? What does this suggest about Stradlater? He spends his life in front of the mirror and suggests that he is vain.7. How does Holden respond to Stradlater’s nasty response about his date’s curfew? What does this show about Holden’s character? He tries to tell Stradlater that if she had seen your beauty she would signed out for nine thirty in the morning. He likes Jean and has more respect for girls than Stradlater. Chapter 51. What is Holden’s theory as to why Pencey serves steak on Saturday nights?The parents visit on Sunday and ask “What did you have for dinner?” and their kids will say they had steak.2. What does Holden say Ackley would do if he were being saved after a shipwreck? What does this suggest about Ackley? He’d ask who’s on the lifeboat. This shows he’s stubborn and unsociable.3. Who is Allie? What happened to him? What is special about his baseball glove? Holden’s younger brother. He died of leukemia in childhood. He wrote poems on it to read green ink.4. Why were Holden’s parents going to have him psychoanalyzed? After Allie died he smashed out all of the windows in his garage and tried to break the station wagon’s too.Chapter 61. At the beginning of the chapter, why is Holden so worried? He’s worried that Stradlater gave Jane Gallagher “the time.”2. What is Stradlater’s reaction to the composition Holden writes for him? He’s not happy it’s about a baseball glove. He says it was supposed to be about a room or something.3. Why does Holden decide to smoke a cigarette?Everybody is asleep and nobody will smell it and to annoy Stradlater.4. What information does Holden want to obtain from Stradlater regarding Stradlater’s date with Jane? What is he able to extract? He wants to know if she still keeps the kings in the back row and what they did. Stradlater only tells him he parked with her in Ed Banky’s car.5. Why is Holden so upset that Stradlater could care less if Jane kept her kings in the back row? What does he call Stradlater to infuriate him?Holden is upset that he doesn’t care about his date’s personality. He calls him a moron. 6. What does Stradlater do to Holden? Afterwards, how does Stradlater react to this? Stradlater later punches him and gives him a bloody nose. He seems guilty or nervous about it.Chapter 71. Why doesn’t Holden ever discuss his personal life with Ackley? He’s even dumber than Stradlater.2. While in Ely’s bed, what does Holden think about? Why is it so difficult to get this topic out of his mind?Holden thinks about Jane and Stradlater. He can’t get this off his mind because he knows Stradlater’s technique with girls.3. What is Stradlater’s technique for getting with a girl? He “snows them” with his honest “Abraham Lincoln Voice.”4. Why does Holden resolve that he isn’t going to join a monastery? He’d have bad luck because he’d get stuck with “a bunch of bastards.” 5. Why doesn’t Holden want to go straight home? He doesn’t want his parents to find out any sooner than they need to.6. What are Holden’s feelings about leaving Pencey? Why might he feel this way? He think’s Pencey is sad and lonely and yells “Sleep tight ya morons!” He bets he woke up the whole floor.Chapter 81. What does Holden say about the stories that he usually reads while on the train? Considering that magazines are usually meant for entertainment, what does this suggest about Holden’s thoughts on the culture in which he lives? They make him “puke,” but on the train he can read them. It’s phony.2. What types of lies does Holden give to Ernest Morrow’s mother? Why does he think she might believe him?He says him name is Rudolf Schmidt. He says Ernie is shy, popular, humble, sensitive. “Mother’s are all slightly insane.” Parents like to hear good things about their children.3. Holden says, “most people have hardly any smile at all, or a lousy one” (55). What does this suggest about Holden’s views of society? He thinks no one is really happy. Chapter 91. Who is Sally Hayes? Why does Holden decide not to call her? A girl he used to hang out with, their mothers know each other and he knows that her mother will tell his that he is home from school.2. What does Holden ask the taxi driver? Why might he want to know this? Where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over? The ducks’ situation is like Holden’s—they have to find a new place to go.3. What does Holden witness that would support his notion that the hotel he stays at is full of perverts? What does this lead Holden to say regarding girls one likes and girls one doesn’t really like? There is a couple spitting into each others’ mouths. In another room there is a man wearing women’s clothes. He wants girls to be pure and innocent but they are “crumby” too.4. Who does Holden call? What is his intent? What is the outcome? What does the outcome suggest about Holden? Faith Cavendish. He wants to go out with her. She refuses. Holden isn’t above treating girls’ like Stradlater.Chapter 101. How does Holden describe Phoebe? What aspects about her make Holden able to easily relate to her? What does this prove about his mentality? She is very smart and innocent and she has the same personality as Holden (she knows when a movie’s lousy). She’s “rollerskate skinny.”2. Who does Holden meet when in the Lavender Room? What transpires between them? What does this show about Holden’s character? Bernice and her two friends. They talk and Holden dance’s with the blonde, Bernice. 3. What are the plans of the people Holden meets? Why does this depress him? They only want to spot celebrities. Holden thinks movie stars are phony, it depresses him that people admire them.Chapter 111. How did Jane and Holden meet? At the club pool, after her dog had relieved himself on his lawn. 2. What does Holden think about Jane’s appearance? She’s not really pretty but he just he likes the way she looks. She’s “muckle mouthed.” 3. Why is Jane the only other person that Holden showed Allie’s baseball glove to? He trusts her.4. Describe the memory that Holden has about playing checkers with Jane on the porch. What role does he believe he plays in the incident? What does this show about Holden’s character? Mr. Cudahy the “boozehound” comes out and asks for cigarettes. When he goes back in she starts crying and he kisses her to comfort her.5. Even though Jane and Holden never kiss on the lips, what does he recall doing with her that he was fond of? Why was he so fond of this? Holding hands, because she was good to hold hands with—it was easy and natural and not awkward.Chapter 121. Why is it significant that Holden asks about the ducks again? What theories does he come up with regarding where they go? How do these theories show that Holden has some hope? He is moving again and still relates to them. He wonders if they fly or if somebody moves them. He assume there is a solution. This implies the same for himself.2. If the ducks are a metaphor for Holden’s current situation, why is it significant that the taxi driver brings up the fish? What is different about fish and ducks? According to the taxi driver, which one has it worse? Why? Fish can’t leave, they have to stay. The fish have it worse. At least Holden’s not like the fish.3. How is the taxi driver’s theory on the fish somewhat optimistic? They don’t die, mother nature takes care of them.4. What complaint does Holden has about Ernie’s piano playing? What complaint does he have about the people who are listening? How is this a vicious cycle, and how is this a criticism of society as a whole? It’s phony because he’s too fancy and showy. The people love his fancy playing because they are phony. That encourages Ernie to play phony even. 5. Explain what happens between the second couple that Holden witnesses. What is this a criticism of? The guy is “Feeling” his date under the table while talking about suicide. People are strange/phony.6. Who is Lillian Simmons? What is her real intention for talking to Holden? Why does he greatly dislike Lillian and people who are like Lillian? D.B.’s ex-girlfriend. She wanted to find out about D.B. because he’s a big shot in Hollywood. They are phony and he hates them.Chapter 131. What does Holden fantasize about on his way back to the hotel? What does this show about his character?2. While waiting for the prostitute, what does Holden reveal about his prior experiences?3. How does Holden describe Sunny and what about her bothers him the most?4. What is the significance of him finding this interaction so disturbing? What does this show about Holden’s character and his notion of innocence?5. What question does Holden want to ask her? Why doesn’t he end up asking the question?6. Why doesn’t Holden like the way that Sunny takes off her dress? How does this add to his being disturbed by the whole interaction?7. Holden’s little sister, Phoebe, shares the name with the Greek Titan who was associated with the moon. With that in mind, why is it significant that the prostitute’s name is Sunny?Chapter 141. Why doesn’t Holden like the Disciples?They were randomly picked by Jesus. He doesn’t like the hotshots. 2. Holden claims that he much prefers the lunatic who “lived in the tombs and kept cutting himself with stones.” Holden is referring to a story in the bible (Mark 5:1-5:20) in which Jesus came across a man who had a legion of demons in him. This man was unable to be restrained by his townspeople and was alienated from everyone in town. Upon Jesus’ arrival, he removed the demons, and as a result, the townspeople wanted Jesus to leave and never return. On the other hand, the man wanted Jesus to take him with him. Jesus refused because he wanted the man to stay with his people to spread his word. Why would Holden find this character appealing? Because he can relate to him as an outsider.3. Why does Holden dislike ministers?They are phony and don’t use their natural voice. 4. What transpires between Maurice and Holden? After the incident, what does Holden fantasize about?Maurice is asking for more money, Holden refuses to give it to him, so Maurice punches Holden because Holden calls him a moron. Holden imagines that he got shot and has a bullet in his gut. 5. Why does Holden claim that he didn’t commit suicide? What does this show about his character? Given Holden’s beliefs, why is this ironic? Because he doesn’t want rubberneckers looking at him. It shows that he does not want attention drawn to him. This is ironic because he is being phony for other people. Chapter 15Who does Holden decide to call? What is his opinion of her?Sally Hayes. He used to think she was intelligent, but not any more.How good is Holden with managing money? What does he say that proves this?He’s not any good, he forgets to pick up his change.3. Why does Holden dislike people who have cheap suitcases? Is this reasonable?He feels snobby and he wants to throw out his own suitcases. Shows his guilt.4. What does Holden talk to the nuns about? What is his opinion about the subject they discuss? Books, particularly Romeo & Juliet—He feels uncomfortable because it is sexy at parts.5. What is Holden always afraid of when he talks to Catholics? Why?Because they are always trying to find out if you are catholic or not. He is not and afraid it will ruin the conversation.Chapter 161. Why does Holden like the nuns so much? Considering Holden’s currently plight, why does he find that so appealing? The nuns are pure and not phony.2. How does Holden describe the individual who sings “Little Shirley Beans”? Why does he like the way the person sings it? How would a white girl ruin the song? The song is good and if a white person sings it, it sounds phony.3. What is the little boy singing? Why is this significant?The little boy is singing If a Body Catch a Body Coming Through the Rye. It is the title of the book.4. What is the worst part about everyone heading to the movies? What does this show about the people in the culture? Everybody was dressed up. Shows that they are phony.5. What show does Holden choose to see, and why does he choose it?I Know My Love. Trying to impress Sally.6. Why does Holden hate actors?Holden hates the actors because they are phony and never act like real people.7. Why is Holden upset with Sir Laurence Olivier’s portrayal of the character Hamlet? He is too much like a general. Not sad and screwed up.8. Instead of focusing on the movie, what does Holden wait for? He is waiting for the actor to do something phony.9. Why does Holden enjoy the Museum of Natural History so much? He likes the Museum of Natural History because it is never changing.10. Given what Holden says about the museum, why doesn’t he go into it? It does not appeal to him anymore and that he is growing up.Chapter 171. Before Sally arrives, what does Holden notice? Similarly, why is he willing to excuse Sally for being late? Holden notices all the other girls waiting. Sally showed up looking stunning.2. What does Holden think of the play? What happens during the intermissions? Holden doesn’t like it because it is phony. Holden see someone Sally knows and a famous movie actor.3. Why does Sally want to go skating? What does this show about her character? Sally wants to go skating because she wants to wear a short skirt and show her cute little bottom. She is very self-absorbed and likes the attention.4. What does Holden tell Sally he is fed up with? How is this a criticism of the American Dream? Holden gets fed up with his schools and how everybody sticks together. He thinks the American Dream is phony.5. What does Holden propose he and Sally do? Why would he want to do this?Holden wants to run away to Vermont or Mass, and wants to get away from society.6. Sally claims that all Holden’s extreme proposal will be more feasible after he goes to college and basically grows up. According to Holden, why does growing up make his plans less feasible? He believes that everything will be different and they will be grown up.7. What is the first thing that Holden says that greatly upsets her? What action follows to makes it even worse? Holden says that she is a real pain in the butt and laughs after she gets upset.Chapter 181. What are Holden’s theories on girls’ opinions of boys? They are slobs.2. Why is Holden disappointed in the show he sees at Radio City Music Hall?The roller skate guy bothers him because skating is his job.3. What is the only part of the show that Holden and Allie enjoy? Why might he enjoy this aspect of the show? The drummer because he only gets to bang them a few times but never looks bored.4. Why does Holden dislike the story about Alec and his memory loss? (Hint: it has to do with how it is resolved). The phonier it gets the more the woman next to him cries. And she won’t let her child go to the bathroom.5. What is Holden’s opinion of war? How does this contrast with the normal opinion of a pre-WWII individual? How are his feelings consistent with his earlier fantasy about how the issue of his lost gloves would be resolved? He wouldn’t mind getting shot but wouldn’t want to be in the army for so long. His feelings are opposite the pro-war ideas in the US during WWII.6. What does D.B. say about the people in the military? They were as bad as the Nazis. 7. Holden’s behavior in the novel so far has been extreme (e.g. tearing up the composition, leaving Pencey, and more recently his proposition to Sally). What is the significance of his impulsiveness? How is it triggered? What do you think will result? He ruins good things on impulse—he has extreme rage. Chapter 191. What is Luce’s expertise? Through rhetorical questions and subtle hints, what does Luce suggest that Holden needs to do? Sex talk. Holden needs to grow up.2. Why does Luce claim that Eastern Philosophy is better than Western Philosophy? It is older, it is not self-involved, it combines the spiritual with the physical.3. What is the profession of Luce’s father? Because of this, what does Luce suggest Holden should do? He’s a psychoanalyst and he thinks Holden should be psychoanalyzed.Chapter 201. After Luce leaves, what does Holden pretend has happened to him? How is this appropriate considering Holden’s current predicament and state of mind? Holden pretends that he has been shot but Rocky’s gang. He is distracting himself from reality and is imagining that he has a physical wound to deal with his mental wound. 2. Who does Holden call? Why does he call this person? Holden calls Sally Hayes. He calls her because he wasn’t in the mood to call Jenny and he was also drunk.3. Who is the nicest person to Holden in this chapter? What did this person do that was nice? It was the lady at the door who gave him his coat. She told him that he should go home and go to bed, she also made him put on his hat.4. What does Holden want to go see in the park? Before reaching his destination, what horrible thing happens? Why is this so horrible to Holden? He goes to see the ducks. He breaks the record. This is horrible because he wanted to give it to Phoebe. He can’t put it back together and he started thinking about his own death and how he lost his brother. 5. When Holden considers his own death, on what elements does he focus? How are these thoughts somewhat contrary to the topic way one would view death? He thinks about his funeral and who would come to it. He was thinking about it effecting him and not the other people who are going. Chapter 211. How does Holden trick the elevator operator into letting him up to his floor? When the elevator operator claims he should wait in the lobby, what technique does Holden use? According to Holden, why is this effective? He says he’s the Dickstein’s nephew and that his leg hurts. He limps as well. When you say something that no one understands they will do anything you want.2. Considering how he is able to get into his room, what does Holden claim he should have been? How does this contrast with our typical hero? He claims he should have been a crook. He is an anti-hero.3. How is Holden sure that he is home? What does he feel for the first time in a long time? The smells are familiar and he feels safe.4. How does Phoebe react to the shattered record? Why is this so fulfilling for Holden? She accepts it and isn’t bothered and just happy he thought of her.5. Why is Holden upset with D.B.’s current writing assignment? It’s a phony love story.6. What does Phoebe find out about Holden? How does she react to this? She finds that he’s been kicked out of school. She punches him in the leg and says their father is going to kill him.Chapter 221. What new fact does Holden reveal about Ackley? How is this sad?2. Why does Holden claim that Mr. Spencer is a phony?3. Before giving Phoebe an answer about something that he likes, what does he think about?4. What happens to James Castle? What is the significance of this event?5. What does Holden wish he could be? What is the significance of him wanting this fictitious job?6. Holden does not accurately remember the poem by Robert Burns. The poem is actually about meeting a girl in the field. Why is it ironic that he thinks a poem about hooking up with a girl is about saving children who are falling off a cliff?6. What is the difference between the discussion with Mr. Spencer earlier in the story and Phoebe’s conversation with Holden at this point in the story? Why is Phoebe’s much more appealing to Holden?Chapter 231. What did Mr. Antolini do that no one else did?2. What do Holden and Phoebe do together?3. How is Phoebe exhibit similar habits to Holden? 4. What do Phoebe and Holden exchange before Holden leaves?5. Why does Holden cry before he leaves?Chapter 241. Before Holden arrives, what were Mr. and Mrs. Antolini doing?2. What was cruel about Holden’s Oral Expressions class?3. What does Holden think about digressions in speeches? How does he justify/counter Mr. Antolini’s argument against digressions?4. What does Mr. Antolini see in Holden’s future? Additionally, what does he say about the “environment” in which Holden lives?5. According to Mr. Antolini, through what means is Holden going to find meaning? What information is Holden eventually going to find, how is it going to help him, and from whom is he going to get this information?6. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini’s frightened? Chapter 251. Where does Holden decide to spend the night?2. Why does Holden feel bad for leaving Mr. Antolini’s house?3. What does Holden read about in the magazine? How does this further depress him?4. What is Holden fearful of every time he steps off a curb? What does he do to put himself more at ease?5. Where does Holden want to go? How will he get there? What will his life be like? Eventually, what would he do with his children? Why?6. What does Holden see twice while at Phoebe’s school? Why does it upset Holden so much? How is the first one different from the second one? What does Holden say he couldn’t do in a million years? What does this say about the society?7. What does Holden see for a third time and where does he see it? Where does Holden say he wouldn’t be surprised if it were written?8. In Holden’s fantasy, what is the one rule he would have for people who came to visit him?9. Who or what changes Holden’s mind on leaving home? How is his mind changed? Why is this significant?10. Why does Holden like carrousels? Why does he enjoy watching Phoebe ride on it?11. What does Phoebe do while riding on the carrousel that scares Phoebe? Why doesn’t he try to stop her?Chapter 261. What are Holden’s prospects for “next fall?”2. What does Holden have to say about “applying himself?”3. To whom do you think Holden has been telling this entire story?4. Has Holden learned anything from this experience? Why or why not?5. Would the story have been as effective if written in third person as in first person? What is gained by telling this story in first person? Is anything lost? ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download