The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

Study Guide

Pre-Reading Activity

Annotated Version of Chapter One

Be Holden's Doctor

Holden's IPod Assignment

Holden Speak

Holden A Trial

Pre-reading Activity / Focus Questions

1. Make a list of reasons why a high school student might dislike school?

2. Make a list of reasons why a high school student might flunk out of school?

3. The protagonist (main character) of The Catcher in the Rye uses the word phony frequently.

3a. What does phony mean?

3b. What kinds of people do you think are phonies?
Reading Assignment #1 - Chapter One

Directions: Read the first chapter of The Catcher in the Rye online at http://www.jerichoschools.org/hs/teachers/lfischer/catcher_in_the_rye/catcher_in_the_rye.htm. Move the mouse over the underlined text to help you answer the following questions.

Focus Questions:
1. What type of narration is used in The Catcher in the Rye?

2. Who wrote David Copperfield? Why do you think Holden referenced this particular novel?

3. When do you think The Catcher in the Rye is set?

4. What is “The Secret Goldfish” about?

5. What does Holden mean when he calls D.B. a “prostitute”?

6. What does Holden feel about movies? Why?

7. What is Pencey Prep like?

8. How does Holden feel about school? About the “big game”?

9. What recent event in Holden’s life makes him feel particularly alienated from his peers?

10. Why does Holden go see Ms. Spencer?

Chapter 2 Study Guide Questions

1. Describe Holden’s physical appearance. Be as specific as possible.

2. What does Holden describe as ironic about his appearance? Why is it ironic?

3. Describe Holden’s personality and write down in your notebook each line where Holden describes himself, for instance on page 9 he says, “I shake my head quite a lot. ‘Boy!’ I said. I also say ‘Boy!” quite a lot. Partly because I have a lousy vocabulary and partly because I act quite young for my age sometimes.” Here we learn that he acts immature. His descriptions of himself and quite important, so try not to miss any!.

4. In what ways do you think Holden is unreliable as a narrator? Find lines from the text that show how he says one thing when he means another.

5. Why did Holden quit Elkton Hills?

6. In the conversation between Holden and Mr. Spencer, who appears to be comforting whom? How is this ironic?

7. What do the people whom Holden seems to like have in common?

8. Why does Holden think about the ducks in Central Park when he is with Mr. Spencer?

Chapter 3 Study Guide Questions

1.      What does Holden mean when he says "I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot"?  Give examples of what he reads.

2.      Who is Ackley?  Describe him.

3.      What does Ackley do that annoys Holden? 

 

Chapter 4 Study Guide Questions

  1. Why does Holden spend so much time with Ackley if he can't stand him?
  2. On the surface, Ackley and Stradlater are complete opposites. Ackley is unpleasant to look at and be around; Stradlater is good looking and can be quite charming. But the truth is: they are very much alike. For each of the following traits, find a similar trait in the other character.
Ackley Stradlater   

Ackley's poor personal habits and hygiene.

  

    
   

Stradlater's disparaging instructions to Holden asking him not to put all the commas in the right place.

Ackley's disregard for other people.

 

    

      3. What was unique about the way in which Jane Gallagher played checkers?

      4. Stradlater exhibits a lack of interest in the biographical information that Holden provides for him concerning Jane Gallagher. What information finally piques Stradlater's interest?

      5. What is bothering Holden at the end of the chapter?

Additional Chapter 4 Study Guide Questions

1. What does Holden mean when he describes Stradlater as a secret slob?


2. What does Holden do in the can when he starts “horsing around?”


3. What is it that Stradlater wants Holden to do?


4. Why is the answer to #3 ironic?


5. Who is Stradlater going on a date with?


6. How does Holden react when he finds out [the answer to #5]?


7. Why, according to Holden, did Jane Gallagher leave all her kings in the back row?


8. Why might Holden like this [the answer to #7] about Jane?


9. Why do you think Holden doesn’t go to say hi to Jane even though he repeatedly says he wants to?


10. According to Holden, what kind of home life does Jane seem to have?


11. Why do you think Holden “pulled the peak of my hunting hat around to the front all of a sudden, for a change. I was getting sort of nervous, all of a sudden” (page 44)?


12. What might this behavior [question #11] symbolically suggest about Holden?

 

Chapters 5 - 7 Study Guide Questions

1.      Who is Allie, and why is his baseball mitt so special to Holden?

2.      Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed? 

3.      What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?

4.      Holden says that he is a "pacifist".  What is that, and is he?

5.      Why does Holden suddenly decide to visit Ackley's room?

6.      Where does Holden then decide to go?

7.      What is his final good-bye to Pencey Prep?

8.      Why do you think Holden was crying as he left?

 

 

Chapter 8 Study Guide Questions
1. Why does Holden walk to the train station?

2. What does Holden say when asked whether he likes Pencey Prep?

3. Why is Mrs. Morrow concerned about Ernest?

4. Because Holden likes Mrs. Morrow, what does he tell her about Ernest?

5. According to Holden, why was Ernest Morrow not elected president of the class?

6. What does Mrs. Morrow suspect is the reason for Holden's going home late on a Saturday night?

7. What is Holden's explanation for going home on Saturday?

8. Why does Mrs. Morrow keep calling Holden by the name Rudolf?

9. Where does Mrs. Morrow invite Holden to visit Ernest in the summer?

10. What excuse does Holden give to Mrs. Morrow for not being able to visit Ernest in the summer?

 

Study on Phoniness

1. Define "phoniness" as you believe Holden would define the term.

2. List as many examples of people and things which Holden has identified as phony as possible and explain why he thinks each item is phony.

Phony Why

 

  

    

   

 

  

 

 

    
 

 

 
 

 

 

3. In what ways is Holden phony? Be as specific as possible.

 

Chapter 9 Study Guide Questions

1. What does Holden do when he reaches Penn Station?


2. What does Holden discuss with the cab driver on the way to the Edmont Hotel?


3. What is Holden’s opinion of the Edmont Hotel?


4. How does Holden describe the bellman at the Edmont Hotel?


5. How does Holden feel about “necking” with girls whom he does not really care about?


6. What type of rules does Holden have difficulty observing?


7. What excuse has Holden planned to use in order to get through to Jane Gallagher on the telephone after-hours?


8. Why does Holden not call Jane Gallagher?


9. From whom did Holden get Faith Cavendish’s name?


10. How does Holden feel after Faith Cavendish refuses to meet him for a cocktail?

 

Chapter 10 Study Guide Questions

1. Why does Holden decide not to call Phoebe?


2. How does Holden feel about Phoebe?


3. How much does Holden think it will cost him to get a prime table in the Lavender Room?


4. How does Holden know that the three girls at the next table are not from New York City?


5. How do the girls react when Holden asks them whether anyone wants to dance?


6. What does Bernice say that betrays how shallow she is?


7. Does Bernice enjoy dancing with Holden?


8. How does Holden overstep the bounds of propriety with Bernice?


9. Do the girls invite Holden to sit down at their table?


10. How does Holden describe the experience of dancing with Marty?

 

Chapters 10-13 Study Guide Questions

1. Who is Phoebe?

2. Identify and describe: Bernice, Marty and Laverne.

3. Describe Holden's relationship with Jane Gallagher.

4. Why did Holden have to leave Ernie's?

5. What do we learn about Holden from his diversion about his gloves being stolen at Pencey?

6. What was the "big mess" Holden got into when he got back to the hotel after being at Ernie's?

 

 

Chapters 14-17 Study Guide Questions

1. Why did Maurice hit Holden?

2. Holden said he felt like committing suicide. Why didn't he?

3. Identify and describe Sally Hayes.

4. Why did Holden check out of the hotel, and where did he go?

5. Who did Holden meet at the "little sandwich bar" after he locked his bags at the station? What did they talk about?

6. What record did Holden get for Phoebe? Why?

7. What made Holden "not so depressed anymore" on his way to the record store?

8. Why didn't Holden like actors?

9. Why did Holden like the museum so much?

10. What did Holden think of "George something--"?

11. How did Holden's feelings for Sally change from the beginning of the date to the end?

 

 

Chapters 18-21 Study Guide Questions

1. What did Holden think of the show at Radio City?

2. Why did Holden call Carl Luce even though he didn't like him much?

3. What did Holden and Luce discuss?

4. Why did Holden go home so early (before Wednesday)?

5. What was Phoebe's reaction when she first saw Holden? What was her reaction when she
found out that he had been expelled?

 

 

Chapters 22-26 Study Guide Questions

1. What was Holden's reply when Phoebe asked him why he "got the ax again"?

2. Identify and describe who James Castle was and what happened to him.

3. Why did Holden go to Mr. Antolini's house?

4. Why did Holden leave Mr. Antolini's home before morning?

5. What advice did Mr. Antolini give Holden?

6. How did Phoebe surprise Holden? What was Holden's reaction?

7. Why did Holden sit on the bench in the rain even though it was coming down in buckets?

8. How did Holden explain his catcher in the rye daydream?

 

 

Be Holden’s Doctor

Holden is telling his story to a psychiatrist at a rest home in California. What specifically seem to be his problems? Decide which traits you agree or disagree with and back your findings with evidence (quotations) from the text.

Psychological Trait Agree/Disagree Cited Passage (Fact or Support Quoted)
Exaggeration

 

 

  

Depression

 

 

  
Isolation/Alienation

 

 

  
Violent Outbursts

 

 

  
Lying

 

 

  
Nervousness

 

 

  
Fantasy World

 

 

  
Emotionally Unstable

 

 

  
Immature Relationships with Women

 

 

  
Other?

 

 

  





Holden A Trial: Unit Assessment for The Catcher in the Rye

[PDF]

This assessment is designed to holistically evaluate each student’s understanding of the text by evaluating the following components:
Holden’s Relationships Graphic Organizer
20 points
Psychological Traits Graphic Organizer with Textual Evidence
50 points
Script of questions and responses between character and trail psychologists
50 points

Character & Scene Setting Electronic Visual Image (see sample)
25 points
Embodying Your Character: Costume, Accurate Colloquialisms, Etc. (role playing)
25 points
Character Assessment Sheet (Psychological Trait Summary)
30 points
Persuasive Essay: Is Holden Mentally Ill? (written after the Holden Trial)
50 points
Total:
250 points
[Extra Credit Poster Project plus
20 points]

Extra Credit Poster Project Assignment (Optional)
The project should be neat, thoughtful, and factually accurate. It should be on a sheet of oak tag (or poster board) that has been cut in half. Please be conscientious when creating this poster. Do not tape or glue haphazardly or sloppily. Cut images neatly. Plan ahead, ensure you will have room for everything, and DOUBLE CHECK for spelling, capitalization, grammatical, and punctuation errors.

The purpose of these posters is to visually illustrate major concepts from the novel. In order to receive full credit, your poster project should teach something about the work. Looking at your poster should enlighten the viewer.

Select one of the following topics:

  • Plot: Diagram the main plot and any subplots. Find a visual way to demonstrate and illustrate the various conflicts, turning points, connections between plot and subplot, and so on. You might also consider examining parallel or recurring events.
  • Timeline: Prepare an illustrated timeline of events in the work. Although the actual events may not be revealed chronologically (by recollection and flashback perhaps), remember to proportion the length of the line to the total number of years the work covers. Include illustrations or quotes at major points on the line.
  • Major Character: Prepare a poster portrait of one of the major characters. Include an illustration of the character as described by the author and include significant quotes from the work which demonstrate the various methods of characterization -- name, physical description, what the character says, what the character does, how other characters react to your character, etc.
  • Character Relationships: Make a cluster diagram showing the relationships of the characters to each other. Include a sketch of each character or perhaps a specific object associated with each one. Also include a characteristic saying or a significant quote about each. Start with the main character(s) at the center.
  • Symbols: Prepare a poster that explores some of the major symbols in the novel. Each symbol should have a visual representation, a related quotation from the novel, and an explanation of the symbol’s importance.
  • Settings: Illustrate the major settings, including descriptive quotes from the work and indicating major events that occurred at each setting. If appropriate, consider using a map format.
  • Significant Lines: Select what you consider to be the most important quote, quotes, or longer passage in the work. Prepare a collage that truly illustrates the meaning of the lines from the work. Include the lines themselves.

Back to Holden Trial Summary

Holden's Relationships Graphic Organizer

[PDF Period 7, PDF Period 10]

For each character, identify how s/he knows Holden and then explain whether or not the character has any reason to believe that Holden may be mentally unstable.

Character Interactions with Holden Perspective on Holden's Mental Health

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

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Psychological Traits Graphic Organizer: Is Holden Mentally Ill?

[PDF]

Holden is telling his story to a psychiatrist at a mental hospital in California. What specifically seem to be his problems? Looking through the eyes of your assigned character, decide which traits you have seen Holden demonstrate, and back your findings with evidence from the text. Remember, you will have to present your account when you take the stand as a witness during Holden’s mental health hearing.

Your Character’s Name: _______________________________

Describe how your character knows Holden and what type(s) of interactions the two have experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

Psychological Trait Has your character witnessed this trait in Holden? Does this trait indicate mental illness? (Explain your character’s answer.) Cited Passage(s) (Facts or Supporting Quotes)

Exaggeration

 

 

 

    

Depression

 

 

 

    

Isolation / Alienation

 

 

    

Violent Outbursts

 

 

    

Lying

 

 

 

    

Nervousness

 

 

 

    

Fantasy World

 

 

 

    

Emotionally Unstable

 

 

 

    

Immature Relationships with Women

 

 

 

    

Other Issues / Problems

 

 

 

    

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Script for the Health Board Hearing

[PDF]

Character’s Name ______________________________
What does your character think about Holden’s mental health? __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Do you have any direct textual evidence (quotations or details from the novel) to support this position? If so, please provide them here (with page numbers). ____________________________________________________________
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Script

Head Questioner: In what capacity did you know Holden Caulfield?
Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Head Questioner: How did Holden seem the last time your saw him? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally?
Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
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[For this portion of the script, you must come up with both the types of questions that might be asked as a mental health hearing—as well as follow up questions to things your character will say—as well as the responses. If additional space is needed, continue script on loose leaf paper. Total testimony should take approximately two minutes when read aloud between two people.]

Head Questioner: _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Head Questioner: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
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Head Questioner: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
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Head Questioner: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
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Head Questioner: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Character Response: ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Head Questioner: Thank you. That will be all for the time being. Next I call upon the testimony of ….

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Character and Scene Setting

[See Sample]

Create a visual image that will serve as an introduction for your character during the Holden Trial. The image should:

  • Be a single Power Point slide which will be put in Ms. Fischer's electronic drop box and saved as your full name (first and last).
  • Include your character's name.
  • Your character's relationship to Holden.
  • A little information about your character.
  • A visual image (or several) that illustrate:
    • who your character is
    • where your character interacted with Holden
    • symbols relate to the character, etc.
  • Check carefully for spelling errors, grammatical errors, capitalization errors, punctuation errors, and factual errors.

Period 7 Character Slides

Period 10 Character Slides

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Assessment of Holden’s Character
Mental Health Board Trial

[PDF Page 1]

Directions: Complete this psychological assessment of Holden Caulfield’s mental health based on your understanding of the text and observations during the trial. You may use this assessment sheet while writing your persuasive essay about Holden’s mental health.
Psychological Traits Check List

Indicate which traits you believe apply to Holden and may indicate mental instability.
  • Exaggeration
  • Depression
  • Isolation / Alienation
  • Violent Outbursts
  • Lying
  • Nervousness
  • Fantasy World
  • Emotionally Unstable
  • Immature Relationships with Women

 

Causes of Depression

As you observe the mental health board trail, take notes on any events that may have contributed to Holden’s depression. Note the witness(es) who drew attention to each event.

 

 

 

 

Evidence Presented at Trial

Write down any specific evidence or events cited by the witnesses that may indicate Holden is in fact mentally unbalanced.

 

 

 

 

 

[PDF Page 2]

Tomorrow you are going to write a persuasive essay where you will tackle the question of whether Holden Caulfield is mentally fit. In preparation for the essay, use this graphic organizer to take careful notes during Holden’s mental health hearing. Write down the most convincing evidence presented from both perspectives.

Holden is fine.
Holden has some problems, sure, but he can be released from the mental hospital. He has had a rough time, but things will get better now.
Holden needs some serious help.
Holden is a deeply troubled young man. Releasing him from the mental hospital at this time could be not just hasty, but outright dangerous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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Reflection Cards on Holden Trial

[PDF]

Part 1: Complete before the trial begins.
Based on your understanding of the novel and the research you performed for this trial, do you think Holden Caulfield needs to be kept in a mental hospital? Write your answer in the form of an introduction paragraph for tomorrow’s persuasive essay. Introduce the novel, set up your topic, and conclude with a thesis statement that clearly indicates your position on this issue.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Complete after the conclusion of the trial.
Based on the evidence and witness testimony presented on trial, did you change your mind about whether or not Holden should be kept in the mental hospital? If you changed your mind, please explain what made you change your position. If you did not change your mind, please jot down some of the reasons presented at trial that support your position.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Embodying Your Character
Props, Costume, Accurate Colloquialisms, Etc.

• Dress in a way that evokes your character.
• Deliver lines with fluency and familiarity.
• Script your lines to capture the “voice” of your character (appropriate phrases, etc.).
• If appropriate, bring in well chosen props for emphasize.
• “Act” like your character.

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