Rye1
Who is Holden Caulfield?
He is a sixteen year old student at a prep school in Pennsylvania.
Who was Robert Ackley?
He had a pimply face. He was a nuisance and rather nasty.
What happened to the composition Holden wrote for Stradlater?
Stradlater insulted Holden about the topic and Holden ripped it up.
What was the "big mess" Holden got into when he got back to the hotel after being at Ernie's?
The elevator operator set him up with a prostitute, and told him the fee was $5.00. When she arrived, he decided he didn't want her services, and paid her the $5.00. She said it was $10.00, but Holden refused to pay the extra $5.00.
Why did Maurice hit Holden?
Maurice was roughing Holden up to make him pay Sunny the extra fee. Holden called Maurice a dirty moron, so Maurice hit him in the stomach.
What did Holden think of "George something--"?
He thought George was snobby, phony and resented him butting in on his date.
Describe Holden's feelings for Sally at the beginning of the date and at the end.
He didn't like her at first, and really hated her by the end.
What was Holden's reply when Phoebe asked him why he "got the ax again"?
He said it was one of the worst school he ever attended, full of phonies and mean guys.
What advice did Mr. Antolini give Holden?
"The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die only for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."
Holden’s English teacher
Antolini
Why wasn't Holden at the big football game?
He had just returned to school with the fencing team and had to see his history teacher.
Who was Stradlater?
He was Holden's good-looking, but conceited roommate.
Why did Stradlater hit Holden?
Holden called him a moron, and then threw a punch at him.
What do we learn about Holden from his diversion about his gloves being stolen at Pencey?
He calls himself a coward, but he is really too humane to hurt anyone.
Holden said he felt like committing suicide. Why didn't he do it?
He didn't want a bunch of "stupid rubbernecks" looking at him all gory.
What did Holden like best about the museum so much?
Everything always stayed where it was.
What did Holden think of the show at Radio City?
It was supposed to be religious, but he didn't think it was.
What was Phoebe's reaction when she first saw Holden? What was her reaction when she found out that he had been expelled?
She was glad to see him, and hugged him. Then she said their father would kill Holden when he found out.
How did Phoebe surprise Holden? What was Holden's reaction?
She had packed her bag to go with him. He told her she couldn't go, which made her angry. Then Holden told her he wasn't going, because he didn't want her to be angry.
The author of Catcher in the Rye
Salinger
Where is Holden as he narrates the story?
He is at a rest home in California.
Who is Jane Gallagher?
b. She had lived next door to Holden before he came to Pencey. They played checkers and became good friends.
Where did Holden decide to go after Pencey?
He decided to leave Pencey early and stay in a hotel in New York for a few days.
Why did Holden have to leave Ernie's?
He didn't want to sit with his brother's friend and her date.
Identify Sally Hayes.
She was a girl Holden sometimes dated. He didn't like to too much, but he thought she was good looking.
What was Holden's opinion of actors.
He said they were the biggest phonies of all.
Why did Holden call Carl Luce even though he didn't like him much?
Holden was desperate for companionship, and also though Luce was intellectual and could help him.
Identify James Castle
He was a student who borrowed a sweater and later fell out a window
Why did Holden sit on the bench in the rain even though it was coming down in buckets?
He was enjoying watching Phoebe ride the carousel.
D.B. Caulfield’s old girlfriend
Lillian
Why wouldn't Holden be back to Pencey after Christmas vacation?
He had been expelled because he failed four of five subjects.
Why doesn't Holden go down to see Jane?
He wasn't in the mood.
Whom did Holden meet on his train ride? Why did he lie to her?
He met the mother of a school mate. He lied because he wanted the mother to feel proud of her son, and he wanted to tell her what she wanted to hear.
Describe Holden's relationship with Jane Gallagher.
They seem to be good friends, playing checkers, going to movies, and talking. There was no advanced romantic involvement between them.
Why did Holden check out of the hotel, and where did he go?
He didn't want to meet Maurice again, so he went to Grand Central Station and checked his bags in a locker there.
What made Holden "not so depressed anymore" on his way to the record store?
He hears a young boy singing, "If a body catch a body coming through the rye."
What did Holden and Luce discuss?
They discussed Luce's romantic life and Holden's lack of one.
Where did Holden go after his parent's place and why?
He went to a former teacher's (Mr. Antolini) house. It was his last resort, because he was out of money.
How did Holden explain his catcher in the rye daydream?
He would stand in a field of rye, where his job would be to catch any children who started to go over the cliff.
Holden’s dead brother
Allie
What "dirty trick" did Mr. Spencer pull on Holden?
He orally read back Holden's exam answer and the note Holden had written.
About what did Holden write Stradlater's composition?
It was about his dead brother's baseball glove.
Who is Phoebe?
She is Holden's little sister.
Identify Bernice, Marty and Laverne
They are three women whom Holden met and danced with in the Lavender Room.
Whom did Holden meet at the sandwich bar? What did they talk about?
He met two nuns. They talked about literature and Holden's views on Romeo and Juliet.
What record did Holden get for Phoebe? Why?
He got "Little Shirley Beans." He liked it and thought Phoebe would too.
Why did Holden go home so early (after the big mess and before Wednesday)?
He wanted to see Phoebe.
Why did Holden leave Mr. Antolini's home before morning?
He woke up and found Mr. Antolini patting his (Holden's) head. He though Mr. Antolini might be making advances towards him.
Holden’s sister
Phoebe
Holden says he is a terrific one of these
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