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Why does the book begin with the words, "If you want to know the truth...?"
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What is the meaning of the reference to David Copperfield?
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English 11
The Catcher in the Rye
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does the book begin with the words, "If you want to know the truth...?" | Holden's preparing to tell everyone about his theories, which he believes are correct. |
| What is the meaning of the reference to David Copperfield? | He is not going to give phoney lies about himself. Instead, he will be honest. |
| Why is D.B. mentioned here are the beginning? | He believes that D.B. is a sellout and a phoney, the exact opposite of what Holden wants to be. |
| What is important in the school motto at Pencey? | They make themselves seem much better than they truly are, since they're no better than any others. |
| What has holden "forgotten" to mention his dismissal from Pencey? | He does not want his parents worrying about him or getting mad. |
| What does Holden mean when he says that Pencey is full of "crooks"? | He means that it is full of phoneys and mean guys. |
| What is significant in Holden's remark about Mrs. Spencer opening the door herself? | They're humble, not phoney, and do things for themselves rather than hiring people for it. |
| What is the importance of Holden's confrontation with Mr. Spencer? | He tells Holden the truth about him, he gets upset and doesn't want to hear it. |
| What is the significance of Spencer's question about Holden's telling his parents? | It shows the beginning of Holden's lies and secrecy. |
| Why is the ambiguity of Holden's age stressed? | He tries to act much more mature than he actually is. |
| What is important about Holden's exam paper? | He had no idea what he was writing, showing his lack of effort towards his schooling. |
| Why does Holden say he is just going through a "phase"? | To get Mr. Spencer off of his case and to convince him that everything will be okay. |
| Why does Holden characterize himself as a liar? | He enjoys lying and can go on for hours. |
| What is the significance of the deflation of Ossenburger? | He discovers how phoney he truly is. |
| What is the importance of Holden's new hat? | He feels unique and adventurous in it, giving him some confidence and individuality. |
| Why does Holden yearn to talk to certain authors? | He wants to find out continuations to their stories. |
| What is signified when Holden misplaces the foils? | He didn't care enough about it, and he is unorganized. |
| What is Holden's attitude toward Ackley? | He thinks he's annoying and dirty, but still spends time with him. |
| How is Stradlater characterized? | Handsome, well built, organized, ladies man, secret slob. |
| What is the significance of Stradlater's borrowing Holden's jacket? | Holden is nice enough to let him borrow it, even though he knows that Stradlater will probably stretch it out. |
| What is the importance of Holden's message to Jane? | He still cared about her, even though he had not seen her in a while. |
| What are Holden's doubts about the message? | That she will not remember him or will not care. |
| Why does Holden enjoy the snowball fight? | It reminds him of his youth and of being a care free child. |
| What is the importance of his composition about Allie? | He misses him, still thinks about him a lot, and remembers him very well. |
| What is the significance of Holden breaking his hand? | The beginning of Holden's downhill path, started with his depression about Allie's death. |
| What are Holden's fears about Jane and Stradlater? | That Stradlater is going to take advantage of Jane. |
| Why does Holden fight Stradlater? | Stradlater did not want to discuss his date with Jane. |
| What is Holden's first action after the fight? | He goes to Ackley's room. |
| Why does Holden consider going into a monastery? | Monks are honest and pure– not phoneys. |
| Why is Holden so lonely at Pencey? | He has no true friends, and everyone is a phoney. |
| What emotions do the new skates create? | Frustration, anger, guilt. |
| In what condition does Holden leave Pencey? | He is sad but relieved. He has a bloody nose. |
| Why does Holden give a false name to Mrs. Morrow? | He does not feel like telling her who he actually is and wants to mess with her. |
| Why does he lie about Ernest Morrow? | To make Mrs. Morrow feel better about her son. |
| What is the significance of the brain surgery story? | The dramatization of Holden's lies. |
| What is Holden's first act upon arriving in New York? | He takes a cab and checks in at a hotel. |
| What is signified by the ducks in the lagoon? | Holden's fear of change. |
| Why does Holden give such detailed descriptions of the hotel rooms seen from his own window? | He does not have much else to do. He was probably watching them for a while, as they are his only source of entertainment. |
| What is Holden's attitude towards sex? | He doesn't understand it. |
| Why does Salinger use the name Faith Cavendish? | The name gives the idea of purity, something that Faith is not. |
| Why does Salinger introduce Phoebe here? | Holden felt lonely and thought of how much he enjoyed her company. |
| What is significant in Holden's appraisal of the girls from Seattle? | He does not take a liking to them and calls them pathetic, showing how quick he is to judge people. |
| Why does his mind now revert to Jane? | He likes her a lot and she is innocent, not phoney like most. |
| Why does Holden think of the ducks again? | It shows how important the topic is to him, how scared of change her really is. |
| What is implied in Holden's criticism of Ernie? | He thinks he is a phoney and a sellout, similar to D.B. |
| Why does Holden scorn the "Ivy League" boys he sees? | He also sees them as phoneys. Fake, materialistic, shallow, and only concerned about themselves. |
| What compromise does Holden make? | He leaves his long awaited seat at Ernie's to avoid talking to Lillian Simmons. |
| Why does Holden accept the assignation with Sunny? | He thinks he's brave enough to take his first big step in to adulthood. |
| Why is he unable to consummate any physical act with Sunny? | He is afraid of losing his innocence and of "using" her. |
| What is Holden's mental state after Sunny's departure? | Depressed and suicidal. |
| What is the real outcome of his fight with Maurice? | He loses his money and gets beat up. |
| What is suggested by Holden's fantasy of "plugging" Maurice? | That Holden lives in a somewhat fantasized world up in his head. |
| What progression is followed in terms of female relationships? | The only real love he receives is from Phoebe– familiar love. All his other relationships are shallow and short-term. |
| What is Holden's attitude toward the nuns? | He admires and respects their purity, honestly and dedication. |
| What is significant in the reference to Mercutio? | Holden is very similar to him– very smart and funny. |
| What is the import of the monologue about Catholicism? | He doesn't believe in religion and makes fun of it. |
| Why does Holden describe the child on the street as "swell"? | He is innocent and pure, walking and singing, obviously not phoney in Holden's eyes. |
| What does the reference to Hamlet reveal? | Holden likes it, but disagrees with the chosen casting. |
| What is the basis of the museum's appeal to Holden? | Things generally do not change in it. |
| What is the point of the remembrances of Harris Macklin? | Nostalgia, thinking back to a simpler time. |
| What contradiction exists in his attitude toward Sally? | He tells her he loves her, considers marrying her, and obviously lusts after her, but calls her a "pain in the ass". |
| What is implied by the remembrances of Jane at this point? | Jane's stepfather may have abused her. |
| Why is the Radio City program juxtaposed with Carl Luce? | He has a sandwich and malted milk and thinks about calling Jane, while later on he goes out for a drink with Carl Luce. |
| What is meant by D.B.'s query about Rupert Brooke and Emily Dickinson? | Different authors write differently due to different experiences. |
| What is implied in the reference to Gatsby? | Gatsby was destroyed by a world whose material Holden scorns. |
| What is the significance of Luce? | He foreshadows the situation with Mr. Antolini. |
| What contacts does Holden attempt at the beginning of the chapter? | Jane. |
| Why does Holden muse upon his own death? | He has a dark view of the world, and he just recently lost his brother. |
| What is the first impression given of Phoebe? | She is very smart and mature for her age. |
| How are the elder Caulfields depicted? | Their mother is nervous and depressed, while their father cares more about his job than about his family. |
| What is significant in the movie Phoebe saw? | The doctor killed the baby to keep it from a life of pain. He preformed an "act of God". Holden realizes that he should not risk messing with situations like those. |
| How does Phoebe punish Holden? | She hits him. |
| What conclusion does Phoebe draw from Holden's criticism of Pencey? | That he hates everything in general and is using Pencey as a cover for it. |
| What is Holden's answer? | He didn't like the school or the people there. The only people he likes are Phoebe (and their conversations) and Allie. |
| Why does Holden give Phoebe his hunting cap? | For her to keep with her as a memory of him. |
| What is the import of Mr. Antolini's advice? | Holden needs to get his life together before it completely falls apart. |
| What is the significance of Antolini's caress? | Holden thinks it is a homosexual advance towards him, while it was probably Antolini feeling bad for him and showing him some simple affection. |
| What is Holden's condition at this point? | He is very sick, both physically and mentally. |
| Why does he write Phoebe? | To meet with her to say goodbye. |
| What prompts Holden's reactions to the foul words? | He does not want the innocent children to see/be ruined by them. |
| How does Phoebe identify with Holden? | She wants to run off with him. |
| Why does Holden refuse to take Phoebe along? | He doesn't actually plan to leave. |
| What new knowledge does Holden gain watching Phoebe on the carousel? | That he must let her grow up and simply be there to support her, rather than being the catcher in the rye. |
| What is Holden's final ironic comment? | He is embarrassed for telling everybody what he initially wanted to. |
| Who is Holden Caulfield? | The protagonist. If you've read the book you know more of who he is. |
| Who is Ackley? | Holden's neighbour @ Pencey. |
| Who is Stradlater? | Holden's roommate @ Pencey -handsome -popular -self satisfied -secret slob |
| Who is Jane Gallagher? | Girl who Holden likes, respects, & finds attractive. |
| Who is Phoebe Caulfield? | Holden's 10 year old sister. |
| Who is Allie Caulfield? | Holden's younger brother, who died of leukemia. |
| Who is D.B. Caulfield? | Holden's older brother. -phony -author -lives in Hollywood -sellout |
| Who is Sally Hayes? | Holden's ex girlfriend. -"pain in the ass" |
| Who is Mr. Spencer? | Holden's history teacher @ Pencey. |
| Who is Carl Luce? | Holden's student advisor @ Whooton. |
| Who is Mr. Antolini? | Holden's English teacher @ Elkton. |
| Who is Maurice? | Elevator man/pimp. |
| Who is Sunny? | Prostitute. |
Created by:
rosedobrovinska
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