Catcher in the Rye Group
discussion
Is the narrator part of the story? If so, how much influence does he have on what happens?
Is the narrator conscious of the storytelling and commenting on it or not?
What is Holden’s attitude toward people? What kinds of words does he use to demonstrate
this?
Discuss the significance of the baseball glove, hunting cap, the ducks in the park and the
Museum of Natural History? How are they connected to the story?
Describe the encounters Holden has throughout New York City.
Holden often behaves like a prophet or a saint, pointing out the phoniness and wickedness in
the world around him. Is Holden as perfect as he wants to be? Are there instances where he is
phony and full of hypocrisy? What do these moments reveal about his character and his
psychological problems?
Find examples of Holden’s feelings of sadness in life such as 1. Economic inequities, 2, boring
lives, 3. Fragmentation of society into different groups. What do these say about him?
Read the poem “Comin Thro the Rye.” Why does Holden like the poem? How does it fit into the
story? What is implied by Holden’s misusing, misquoting and misunderstanding the Burns
poem?
What is the significance of Holden’s relationship with Mr. Antolini and their exchange, both to
the story and the characters?
Give signs of Holden’s emotional instability such as; tendency toward exaggeration, feelings of
depression, violent outbursts, repeated lying, fantasy world.
Will hospitalization help Holden? Justify your answer.
Think about Holden’s vision of the nature of childhood and adulthood. Are the two realms as
separate as Holden believes them to be? Where does he fit in?
What did you like or dislike the most about Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye?