Holden
Where was Holden telling his story from at the beginning of chapter one?
He was telling the story from California.
What had Mr. Spencer bought and showed the boys when they were visiting him one Sunday?
A Navajo blanket from an Indian in Yellowstone Park.
Does Holden blame others for his flunking out of school? Why or why not?
No. Holden readily admits that he did not apply himself.
Who is D.B and why is Holden insulting of him?
D.B. is his older brother. Holden thinks he has prostituted himself in Hollywood for writing scripts for movies(to get more money) rather than writing short stories.
From what narration is the story written(what "person")?
First-Person
Why does Holden watch the game from the hill?
He feared he would be ignored by the other students due to leaving the fencing equipment on the subway train the day before.
What excuse did Holden give Mr. Spencer for having to end the visit?
Holden said that he had to go to the gym to pick up equipment in order to take it home with him.
How popular really was the sport of polo at Pencey Prep?
Holden implies that polo was only in the minds of the school publicists. He himself had never seen a horse near the place.
Who is Selma Thurmer and what is the main thing Holden likes about her?
Selma is the daughter of the headmaster. Holden likes her because she is not a phony.
Who wrote The Catcher in the Rye?
J.D. Salinger
What does Holden think about the other students who attend Pencey?
He says that Pencey is full of crooks.
Why did Holden write Mr. Spencer a note at the end of his examination paper?
Holden wrote the note so that Mr. Spencer would not feel badly about flunking him.
What is the reality of Pencey Prep in contrast to the ads seen by Holden?
Pencey has high academic standards, but he is skeptical about its claim to mold boys into “splendid, clear-thinking young men.” He thinks that those boys were probably such before they enrolled.
What advice did Dr. Thurmer give to Holden?
Dr. Thurmer said that life was a game and should be played according to the rules.
That genre is this story?
"Coming of age"
Why was Holden trying to “feel” some kind of good-bye?
He wants to feel something because he says you do not know you are doing something until you feel it.
Holden told Mr. Spencer not to worry about him. What reason did he give for not worrying?
Holden said that he was just going through a phase and that everyone goes through phases.
Why did Holden leave Elkton Hills School?
Holden left Elkton Hills School primarily because he was surrounded by phonies.
What did Holden think about Mr. Spencer’s description of his parents as “grand people”?
Holden disliked the use of the word “grand.” He said that use of it was phony.
That decade does the story take place?
1940's
Holden says it sounds terrible when someone wishes you good luck as you’re leaving. Why does he think this?
He thinks the well-wishing implies that he’s going to need good luck in the future, as things appear bleak for him.
What was Holden thinking about while he said, “I told him I was a real moron, and all that stuff. I told him how I would’ve done exactly the same thing if I’d been in his place, and how most people didn’t appreciate how tough it is being a teacher.” ?
Holden was thinking about the ducks in Central Park, i.e., where they went when the lagoon froze over.
Aside from Pencey and Elkton, what was the other school Holden left/did not complete?
Whooton School
How does Holden describe his parents?
Nice, but touchy
What does the title The Catcher in the Rye mean?
Holden wants to be the protector of children before they fall out of innocence into knowledge of the adult world. He wants to catch them before they get hurt.