E
JERICHO
HIGH
SCHOOL
ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT
NAME _______________________________
PERIOD ___________
DATE ___________
MS. FISCHER
ENGLISH 2
LITERATURE THE
CATCHER IN THE RYE
Analyzing Chapters 18 - 20
Directions: Answer on separate paper. Write in complete sentences and/or paragraphs. Thoroughly
answer all parts of each question. Use textual evidence (quotations from the novel) to support your
answers.
Chapter 18
1. Holden, who claims to hate the movies, spends a lot of time discussing them. He outlines the
entire plot of the movie he goes to see in chapter 18. Review this passage carefully (pages
138-139). Why, precisely, do you think Holden hates happy endings?
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2. Holden reveals that his older brother D.B. fought in World War II (pages 140-141). How might
the time period, set just years after the devastation of World War II, effect Holden’s outlook
on the world? Be specific, thorough, and fully explain your response
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Chapter 19
3. Holden describes the Wicker Bar as very swanky and phony (it is pretentious: making usually
unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing); expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated
importance, worth, or stature), however he also mentions that he has spent a lot of time in this
place. Analyze Holden’s need to fit in, to impress, and to be part of “cultural” New York City
with his equally intense assertion that everything is phony. Be thorough in your analysis.
Fully explain. Cite evidence from the text as needed.
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4. What does Holden’s conversation with Carl Luce (144-148) reveal about Holden’s character?
Go deep, avoid a superficial answer.
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5. What does Carl Luce’s father do for a living? How might this lend additional meaning to
Holden’s desire to speak with Luce?
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Chapter 20
6. Why might Holden imagine that he has a bullet in his guts? Why might Holden fantasize
about this kind of physical condition in his current mental state?
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7. Why is Holden crying by the time he leaves the Wicker Bar?
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8. List everyone who tells Holden to go home in chapter 20.
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9. Analyze the following passage from page 154. Pay particular attention to symbolism. “Then
something terrible happened just as I got in the park. I dropped old Phoebe’s record. It broke
into about fifty pieces. It was in a big envelope and all, but it broke anyway. I damn near
cried, it made me feel so terrible, but all I did was, I took the pieces out of the envelope and
put them in my coat pocket. They weren’t any good for anything, but I didn’t feel like just
throwing them away. Then I went in the park. Boy, was it dark.”
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10. Analyze Holden’s experience walking through Central Park. Cite specific quotes in your
analysis. What is happening on both a literal and metaphoric level? Why does he keep talking
about the dark?
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11. How does the hunting hat work on a symbolic level in this chapter? Be specific. Cite specific
examples (quotes) that demonstrate how Holden “uses” the hat?
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12. Analyze the line (from Holden’s discussion of Allie’s funeral) on page 155 where he says: “I
wasn’t there [at the funeral]. I was still in the hospital. I had to go to the hospital and all after
I hurt my hand.” What is the implication behind the idea that Holden spent days in the
hospital because of his hand? How long do most people stay in the hospital for a broken
hand? Why might Holden’s stay have been longer? Where might he have been?
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13. Analyze Holden’s feelings about Allie’s grave. Be specific. Cite lines from the novel to support
your interpretation.
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