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The Catcher in the Rye Study Guide Questions
Chapter 1
1. What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood "being a prostitute"?
D.B. is a sell-out since he is now a screenwriter and does not write his regular short stories.
2. Where is Holden as the story begins?
He is in California, most likely in a mental institution (pg 1).
3. Where and what is Pencey Prep? Why is Holden being kicked out?
Pencey Prep is Holden’s most recent private, boarding school in Agerstown, PA. He is flunking
everything except English.
Chapter 2
1. Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him?
Mr. Spencer is Holden’s history teacher; Holden visits him because he is saying goodbye.
2. What did Spencer do that particularly annoyed Holden?
Mr. Spencer read Holden’s essay on the Egyptians aloud.
3. What does Holden give us as the reason for "leaving" Elkton Hills?
“One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies” (13).
Chapter 3
1. What does Holden mean, "I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot"? Give examples of what he reads.
Holden contradicts himself here. He reads:
2. Who is Ackley? Describe him.
Ackley is Holden’s neighbor- he is pimply
3. What does Ackley do that annoys Holden?
Ackley goes through Holden’s stuff and he cuts his nails so they’re floating about the floor.
Chapter 4
1. Who is Stradlater? Why does Holden refer to him as a "secret slob"? What does he look like?
Stradlater is Holden’s “yearbook handsome roommate”. He doesn’t clean his razors, so Holden calls him
a secret slob.
2. Why did it make Holden nervous that Stradlater was going out with Jane Gallagher?
Holden knows that Stradlater is more experienced with girls and Jane is an old friend (crush, it seems) of
Holden.
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Chapter 5
1. Who is Allie, and why is his baseball mitt so special to Holden?
Allie is Holden’s younger brother; the mitt has poems in green ink on it- it shows just how unique and
special Allie was.
2. Why did Holden's parents want to have him psychoanalyzed?
After Allie died, Holden punched the windows in the garage. He also did not attend Allie’s funeral.
Chapter 6
1. What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?
Their conflict begins with the essay and then escalates when Holden pushes Stradlater about the date
with Jane. Holden also calls Stradlater a “moron” a dozen times.
2. Holden says that he is a "pacifist". What is that, and is he?
A pacifist is someone who does not believe in fighting; Holden does not appear to be one since he fights
with Stradlater.
Chapter 7
1. Why does Holden suddenly decide to visit Ackley's room?
Well, he just fought with his roommate, Stradlater, so he doesn’t want to go back there. This is open to
interpretation, but it seems that Holden is longing for company- he needs a friend, even if it’s one who
annoys him a great deal.
2. Where does Holden then decide to go?
Holden decides to go to NY and stay in a hotel until Wednesday (so he can avoid parents and Pencey).
3. What is his final good-bye to Pencey Prep? (What does he say?)
“Sleep tight, ya morons!”
4. Why do you think Holden was crying as he left?
Open to interpretation—I think Holden feels sad that he is leaving another place—he really does not
seem to have a safe and happy place to just be himself.
Chapter 8
1. What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow? Do you think he's as sorry for them as he
stated?
Holden lies about his name, why he’s leaving school early, and what kind of person her son was.
Chapter 9
1. Holden calls other people “phony”. In what way is he one?
To be phony is to be fake; Holden lies to people regularly, so he could be called a phony.
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Chapter 10
1. Who is Phoebe, and what is Holden's opinion of her?
Phoebe is Holden’s younger sister; he seems to adore her. He tells the reader, “you’d like her”. Holden
comments again and again that all his siblings are smarter than he is.
2. What evidence is there that shows us that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?
He is not allowed to drink at the Lavender Room (bar). He gets a coke.
Chapter 11
1. What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?
They were close- she’s the only one he showed Allie’s mitt to. Once they began kissing when Jane was
upset, but mainly they held hands. It seems to be an innocent relationship- a sweet crush.
Chapter 12
1. What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?
Where the ducks go- Holden wants to know.
2. Why does Holden leave Ernie's?
He did not want to be “bored to death by Lillian Simmons and that Navy guy” (87).
Chapter 13
1. Record a quotation (with page number) that stood out to you about Holden in this section.
Answers will vary- this one reveals a lot about Holden: “I wasn’t sleepy or anything, but I was feeling
sort of lousy. Depressed and all. I almost wished I was dead (90).
Chapter 14
1. Does Holden have any guilty feelings about Allie? Do you feel this is abnormal in any way, or
normal?
He feels bad the one day he did not take Allie with him.
2. What made Holden cry?
Maurice, the pimp, confronts Holden about the money (and then Sunny takes it from his wallet).
3. What evidence shows us that Holden might have made a good actor?
Holden pretends/ imagines that he is shot by Maurice (after the confrontation).
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Chapter 15
1. What is the point that Holden tries to make about people when he elaborates about the suitcases of the
nuns and of his former roommate?
He feels bad when people have cheap looking suitcases- we see that Holden is from the upper class and
he realizes the difference between him and others.
2. How does Holden treat the nuns? Why do you think he does this?
Holden gives the nuns money- they have cheap suitcases. And- they’re sweet to him- they ask him
about his books, etc.
Chapter 16
1. Who does Holden make a date with? Why do you think he calls her up if he thinks she's a phony?
Sally. *opinion*- but- Holden seems to only want to see people that are not going to push him to discuss
what happened. He’s looking to kill time.
2. How does Holden treat little kids? Give an example.
Holden adores little kids- he tightens the girl’s skate, he is happy when he hears the boy singing.
3. Does Holden know his way around the city? What does this tell us about him?
He does- he’s spent a lot of time there (we find out that he lives there).
Chapter 17
1. How do Holden's feelings for women compare to his feelings for men?
Holden seems to tolerate women more than men- even if they’re phony and say “grand” too much.
2. How does Holden feel about actors? How does he feel about The Lunts?
Holden felt they were showing off a bit- he thought they were too good.
3. What is Holden's point about the difference between men owning a car and men owning a horse?
4. How does Holden describe a boy's school when talking to Sally?
“It’s full of phonies” and cliques (131).
5. Why does Holden want to take off with Sally now instead of after college? What’s the difference in
his eyes?
After college they will be older and things will be DIFFERENT (p.133) (perhaps more corrupted).
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