Chapter 1
This is the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye
Holden Caulfield
Who is Mr. Spencer?
He is Holden's History teacher at Pencey Prep
What does Holden mean when he says, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot?”
He is making a joke about how he is not a very good reader but he reads frequently anyway.
Part of his not being a trustworthy narrator.
Why does Holden call Stradlater a “secret slob”?
Stadlater has dirty habits like using a filthy razor to shave with but looks neat and presentable to everyone else
What is a hemorrhage?
massively bleeding injury
How did Holden let the the fencing team down?
He left the equipment on the subway
Why does Holden go to see Mr. Spencer?
Mr Spencer wrote a letter asking him to come by, probably because he knew Holden was being kicked out.
Who is Ackley? Describe him.
Ackley is Holden's classmate at Pencey Prep. He is described as being rude, socially awkward, and having poor hygene.
What two favors does Stradlater want Holden to do?
Stradlater asks Holden to borrow his jacket and to write his English composition for him.
What is grippe?
The flu
Why is Holden being kicked out of Pencey Prep?
He is failing 4 out of his 5 classes
What does Holden give as his reason for “leaving” Elkton Hills?
He was surrounded by phony people
What does Ackley do that annoys Holden?
Ackley touches things that do not belong to him, asks to borrow things, and bothers Holden when he is trying to read.
What special instructions does Stradlater give Holden about the favor he needs?
Be descriptive and do not make the composition "too good".
What are foils, as we see them used in the novel?
Swords
What kind of health is Holden in?
Holden smokes heavily and is winded/tired easily.
What did Mr. Spencer do that annoyed Holden?
He wore pajamas, he picked his nose, and he read Holden's essay to him.
Who is Stradlater? What does he want to borrow?
Stradlater is Holden's classmate. He is described as being attractive and popular.
Who is Stradlater’s date and how does Holden know her?
Jane Gallagher is Stadater's date. Holden used to live next door to her the previous summer.
What is a rostrum?
A podium
Where is Holden as the story begins?
He doesn't say for sure, only that he is not far from Hollywood, California and he is resting (maybe a rest home)
What does Holden wonder about the ducks in Central Park in New York City?
Where do the ducks go when the lake freezes in the winter?
What does Holden have to admit about Stadlater?
Holden must admit that Stadlater has a good build.
Who does Holden pretend to be as he’s dancing in the bathroom?
The Governor's son.
Who is the author of "The Secret Goldfish"?
D. B . Caulfield
What did Mr. Spencer keep dropping on the floor that Holden had to keep picking up?
A magazine - The Atlantic Monthly
The name of the dorms that Holden lives in
The Ossenburger Memorial Wing
When Jane Gallagher played checkers with Holden, what method did she use?
Kept all of her kings in the back row and not move them
What is ostracized?
To be excluded from a group by consent
The thing that Holden was standing next to on the hill.
Revolutionary War Cannon
What topic did Holden write about in his optional essay for Mr. Spencer?
The Egyptians
The occupation that Mr. Ossenburger made his money
Funeral / Undertaking business
What kind of dance was Holden doing in the bathroom?
Tap Dancing
What is phony?
Not genuine, fake
The reason that Holden was given the ax from Pencey Prep
He was failing FOUR out of FIVE subjects and not applying himself.
What did Headmaster Thurmer say to Holden about life?
Life is a game
Edgar Marsalla
Disrupted it by passing gas
What reason does Holden give for not going downstairs to say hello to Jane Gallagher?
He wasn't in the mood
What is innumerable?
Too many to be counted
The headmaster's daughter and someone that Holden actually "liked"
Selma Thurmer
What did Holden wish Mr. Spencer would stop calling him?
'Boy'
The thing that Holden wishes he could do with an author when he finishes their book.
Call them up on the telephone
What does Holden do to Ackley that he hates?
He calls him Ackley Kid
What is a chiffonier ?
a high chest of drawers or bureau, often having a mirror on top.
What did the memory of throwing a football around into the dark make Holden feel, the thing he was looking for before leaving a school.
Some sort of Goodbye
What two features of Holden make him look older than he is ?
His height: 6 foot 2 and half
His hair : He has a "million" gray hairs on one side of his head.
2) What does Holden say to correct Ackley's statement?
1) That is a deer shooting hat
2) That it is a people shooting hat.
Describe Jane Gallagher's step father
He is a playwright
He drinks a lot.
He is always naked in the house around Jane
What is falsetto?
A very high pitched voice