All About Holden
Characters
Symbolism
Quotes
Miscellaneous
100
What present does Holden buy for Phoebe and what happens to it?
"Little Shirley Beans" record - Holden drops it and it breaks. Why is this significant?
100

Who is the prostitute that Holden meets up with at his hotel?

Sunny

100

What is significant about Holden giving his red hunting hat to Phoebe?

Holden cares about her and feels she is one of the few people who really understands him. Form of protection for Phoebe. 

100

Who said, "Phoebe, have you been smoking a cigarette in here? Tell me the truth, please, young lady."?

Holden and Phoebe's mom

100
Over how many days do the events of this novel span?
Three days (Saturday-Monday)
200
While on their date, what crazy idea does Holden have that he wants Sally to be a part of?
They should run away to Vermont or Massachusetts, get married, and live in a cabin.
200

Who does Holden drunkenly talk to on the phone in chapter 20? 

Sally's grandmother and Sally 

200

What is the significance about the ducks in the Central Park lagoon?

Some changes are temporary - Holden hates change because of Allie's death. Ducks leave every winter when things get tough, but they return every spring - cyclical change which isn't permanent. Holden leaves when life gets too hard. Pond partly frozen and partly not frozen - transition between two states - like Holden between childhood and adulthood.

200

Who said,  "Don't tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." ?

Holden 

200

What is Holden's prediction about his tombstone?

He believes that along with his name and dates, someone will write f-you on it as well

300
Why does Holden decide to stay and not go out West?
Phoebe surprised him by packing a suitcase with her belongings because she wanted to go with him. He can't let Phoebe ruin her life like he ruined his, so he tells her that he isn't going anymore.
300
Who is Holden's old English teacher who pats Holden on the head while he sleeps?
Mr. Antolini
300

What is significant about the Museum of Natural History?

Things are frozen and unchanging - simple, understandable, infinite.

300

Who said, ""when are you going to grow up?" to Holden at the bar?

Carl Luce

300

How much money does Phoebe give to Holden? 

Christmas money, $8.65

400
Where is Holden now (i.e. at the end of the book)?
In a mental institution
400
Who is the Columbia student who advises Holden to see a psychoanalyst?
Carl Luce
400

What is the importance of the carousel?

Represents Holden growing up. Understands he's not a child anymore. Also represents youth and childhood memories and that things stay in a constant pattern. 

400
Who said, “You did get kicked out! You did! Oh Holden”?
Phoebe Caulfield
400

Why does Holden get drunk all of the time? 

His is trying to numb himself or escape reality of what he is going through 

500

Describe Holden's health in the last few chapters. 

He is becoming sick - headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, passing out

500

Who is a student Holden knew when he was still attending Elkton Hills that committed suicide after refusing to submit to a group of bullies?

James Castle

500

What is the significance of the "catcher in the rye"?

Holden's dream job - preservation of innocence. Imagines children playing in a field of rye near a cliff. Catch children before they fall out of innocence into the knowledge of the adult world. Stop kids from growing up so they are not miserable.

500
Who said, “I have a feeling that you’re headed for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall"?
Mr. Antolini
500
Where does Holden sleep after leaving Mr. Antolini's house?
On a bench in Grand Central Station
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