Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide

Character List:

Holden Caulfield * failed 4 subjects at Pencey Prep (only passed English) * Forgot fencing equipment on train* immature * got kicked out of Pencey and other schools * 16/17 yrs old * outsider *is sarcastic*doesn’t have a good relationship with his parents *doesn’t have a lot of friends *stubborn* thinks a lot of things and people are phony* speaks with a lot of profanity * blunt/straightforward* is honest to himself, but lies to others* Holden is intelligent, but scatterbrained *Holden reacted violently to Allie’s death (punched out windows)* calls himself a “terrific liar”* wishes he could be friends with an author so he could talk about their book

Mr. Spenser * Holden’s history teacher at Pencey * in his 70’s * is sick with the flu * Holden goes to say goodbye to him* Gives Holden advice, knows he can do better * is concerned for Holden *Holden respects him*Tells Holden he knows nothing about history

D.B. Caulfield * is Holden’s older brother * is a writer * lives in Hollywood * Holden calls him a prostitute

Allie Caulfield * is Holden’s younger brother * died of Leukemia * Liked poetry and wrote it on his baseball mitt * was left handed * was intellectual * had red hair

Phoebe Caulfield * is Holden’s younger sister

Ackley * is Holden’s neighbor at Pencey * is 18 * has “mossy teeth” * has pimples * cleans his nails constantly *is rude * is annoying * doesn’t like anyone *doesn’t get along with Stradlater

Stradlater * Holden’s roommate * is a “pretty boy” * athletic * is popular * is conceited * is a secret slob * is a ladies man* asks favors of Holden (borrow his jacket, asks Holden to write an English composition)

Jane Gallagher * Holden’s ex-neighbor and childhood friend * Stradlater’s date * Holden used to play checkers with her * Holden is anxious about her going out with Stradlater

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading GuideChapters 1 and 2

The reader is first introduced to Holden Caulfield, the narrator of this autobiography of sorts.

In the first chapter we learn little of Holden's background-only that he has an older brother,

D.B., who writes for Hollywood. Holden, 17 years old, has just been "kicked out" of Pencey

Prep in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, for not applying himself in any of his classes.

The main action of the first two chapters revolves around Holden's visit to his History teacher,

Mr. Spencer, to say good-bye (at Mr. Spencer's request). Contrary to our expectations from

Holden's records in school and his bleak outlook on life, we find that he treats his teacher

cordially, and that there is some mutual respect between them. Mr. Spencer attempts to

convince Holden to begin applying himself, but merely uncovers the fact that Holden can't

stand school because, as Holden puts it "I was surrounded by phonies." From there, Holden

spends the rest of the conversation simply "shooting the bull" in order to ease Mr. Spencer's

guilt for failing him.

Essential Questions:

1. What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood “being a

prostitute?

2. Where is Holden as the story begins?

3. Where and what is Pencey Prep?

4. Why was Holden being kicked out of Pencey Prep?

5. Who is Mr. Spenser and why does Holden visit him?

6. What did Spenser do that particularly annoyed Holden?

7. What does Holden give as the reason for leaving Elkton Hills?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading GuideChapters 3 and 4

Chapter 3 opens with the ambiguous statement "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your

life," and then progresses into a description of Pencey, beginning with the phoniness of an

alumni, Ossenburger.

The main action of the chunk begins when Robert Ackley, "a very peculiar guy" and suitemate,

enters the room. Ackley is one of the few students not outside watching the football game,

and hence is described more or less as a loser. Furthermore, he is incredibly messy and

unkempt (with mossy teeth), and every action is interpreted as a pretense. For example,

Ackley's lazy "hi" as he enters appears to Holden as if he is trying to make it seem as if the

reason he is visiting is boredom rather than need for company. To annoy Ackley, Holden

"horses around," first by pretending to be blind, then by spitting out nonsense compliments

("you're a goddam prince").

Ackley finally leaves upon the entry of Holden's roommate, Ward Stradlater, who rushes into

the room from the football game, borrows Holden's jacket for a date, and rushes out to shave.

Stradlater is described as very handsome, and comes off as incredibly friendly. However,

Holden is quick to note that he is a "secret slob," shaving with a rusty blade, and that the

friendliness is a "phony kind of friendliness."

Holden follows Stradlater to the bathroom and learns that Stradlater is leaving for a date with

an old acquaintance of Holden's, Jane Gallagher.

Essential Questions:

1. What does Holden mean when he says “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot”?

2. Who is Ackley? Describe him.

3. What does Ackley do that annoys Holden?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide4. Who is Stradlater? Why does Holden refer to him as a “secret slob”? What does he look

like?

5. What point does Holden try to make about people when he talks about Stradlater and

the “commas” and Ackley’s description of the basketball player?

6. Why did it make Holden nervous that Stradlater was going out with Jane Gallagher?

Chapters 5, 6 and 7

Ackley, Holden, and a friend, Mal Brossard, take a bus to Agerstown for a Saturday night's

entertainment. When they get back, Holden begins to write an essay on his younger brother's

baseball glove for Stradlater's English Comp class. In doing so, he reminisces about his brother

Allie: "terrifically intelligent," nice, and dead (from leukemia).

The memories of Allie bring out a sentimental side of Holden, and so when Stradlater returns

from his date with Jane, Holden has little tolerance for Stradlater's evasive responses to his

questions as whether he gave Jane "the time." A fight soon ensues, wherein Holden calls

Stradlater a moron and begins bawling about how morons, and presumably everybody, "never

want to discuss anything [intelligent]." In the end, Holden is left on the ground screaming with

blood all over his face. He rejects Stradlater's offers of assistance, choosing instead to retreat

to Ackley's room.

In Ackley's room Holden attempts to begin a half-hearted conversation, but merely annoys

Ackley, who wishes to sleep. In the end, Holden leaves the room and makes a spontaneous

decision to leave Pencey that night. Within moments, he is packed and out the door, but not

without shouting his farewell: "Sleep tight, ya morons!"

Essential Questions:

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

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

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide3. What do Holden and Stradlater fight over?

4. Holden says that he is a “pacifist”. What is that and is he one?

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

6. Where does Holden decide to go?

7. What is his final good-bye to Pencey Prep? What does this say about Holden?

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

Chapters 8,9,10 and 11

Having left Pencey, Holden walks to the train station to return to New York City, where his

family leaves. On the train, he meets the mother of one of his classmates, and begins

"shooting the old crap around a little bit," lying about his name and telling false stories about

her son.

After his arrival in New York, he spends some time trying to find someone to call, but can't

think of anyone, so finally takes a cab to the Edmont hotel. At the hotel, he looks out of his

window and watches first a distinguished-looking man put on women's clothes, and then a

man and woman squirting water at each other out of their mouths.

In a fit of loneliness, Holden then decides to call Faith Cavendish, a prostitute, to go out with,

but Faith declines his invitation. He then contemplates calling his youngest sibling, "Old

Phoebe." In reminiscing about her, he notes that "you never saw a little kid so pretty and

smart in your whole life," though she can be "too affectionate sometimes." Finally, he decides

not to wake her up and instead goes down to the hotel bar, where he "makes eyes" at three

unattractive girls at the table next to his. After dancing with all three, he attempts to converse

with them but finds them all rather unresponsive.

After they leave, Holden sits outside in the hotel's lobby, thinking again about Jane Gallagher.

Unlike Stradlater, Holden notes that she understood the significance of Allie's glove. And

unlike with most people, Holden notes that he rarely kidded with her-"You never wanted to

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guidekid Jane too much." At the climax of the chapter, he describes a moment in their relationship

when she cries, presumably about her "booze hound" father, and Holden offers compassion.

These thoughts, however, make Holden even more depressed and he leaves the hotel for a

city nightclub called Ernie's.

Essential Questions:

1. What dose Holden mean when he says “Mothers are all slightly insane.”?

2. What are some of the lies Holden tells Mrs. Morrow? Do you think he really is sorry for

telling them?

3. Holden calls other people phony. In what ways is he one?

4. Who is Phoebe and what is Holden’s opinion of her?

5. What evidence is there what shows us Holden probably doesn’t look as old as he says he

looks?

6. What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?

Chapters 12 and 13

On the way to the bar in a taxi, a depressed Holden mentally complains that he always gets

"those vomity kind of cabs." Once again Holden tries to strike up a conversation with the

driver and find out where the ducks take refuge in winter. The taxi-driver scowls at his

question and begins to talk about fish instead. As earlier, Holden asks the taxi-driver to have a

drink with him and is again rejected.

Holden enters Ernie’s and is surprised at how crowded it is at such a late hour. He is shown to

yet another bad table, at which he is able to hear the miserable conversations of the couples

on either side of him. While Holden sits there smoking and drinking, a girl named Lillian

Simmons comes up to him and asks about his brother D.B., whom she once dated. She

introduces the sailor who is with her and asks Holden if he would like to join them. Holden

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guiderefuses the offer, saying he is about to leave. Holden is immediately sad that he told this lie,

for he now feels compelled to leave since he has said he was going.

Holden walks back towards his hotel in the cold, lamenting the loss of his gloves, which he

thinks were stolen by someone at Pencey. To regain some of his warmth, Holden puts on his

hunting hat and decides to stop in another bar. He changes his mind when he sees two tough

looking guys emerging from the bar.

Back at the hotel, Holden is solicited by the elevator operator, Maurice, who promises to send

him a prostitute in fifteen minutes. Holden agrees to the offer, but regrets his decision almost

immediately. He cleans up and then paces nervously around the room, waiting for the girl.

Sunny soon arrives, and Holden introduces himself as Jim Steele. He tries to act suave, but no

matter how hard he tries, Holden, still a virgin, is still extremely uncomfortable. The girl’s

businesslike manner only makes him feel more awkward. When he tries to strike up a

conversation, Sunny wants to know what he is waiting for. She sits on his lap and tries to

seduce him. It is more than Holden can handle. He apologizes, pays her five dollars, and tells

her to leave. Sunny tells Holden the price is ten dollars. He refuses to pay her more than he

agreed on with Maurice, and she leaves with an insult and a veiled threat.

Essential Questions:

1. What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?

2. Why does Holden leave Ernies?

3. Previously Holden stated he was a “pacifist”. Does his description of how he would

deal with the “glove thief” support this or is he just “yellow”?

Chapters 14 and 15

Holden finishes his breakfast around noon and decides to take a walk since he has two hours

to spare before his date with Sally Hayes. While he is walking, Holden cannot help but think

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guideabout the nuns and their collection basket. This sets him off imagining what his mother, aunt,

and "Sally Haye’s crazy mother" would do if they were given the job of collecting money for

charity.

Holden has no particular direction in mind, but finds himself walking toward Broadway and

decides to stop by a record store and buy a record for Phoebe. He wants to get her a rare

record called ‘Little Shirley Beans’ by "this colored girl singer, Estelle Fletcher". On his way,

Holden comes across "this family that you could tell just come out of some church", and the

little boy attracts Holden’s attention. The boy is walking behind his parents, who are obviously

poor. But the boy is happy and sings to himself. In fact, his carefree attitude and song even

help to dispel some of Holden’s depression.

Holden enters a store and buys the record he wants to take Phoebe. Then he goes to a nearby

drugstore to give Jane Gallagher a call. This time he really does call her house, but hangs up

without asking for her because her mother answers the phone. Holden then buys a

newspaper, checks to see what is playing, and buys tickets for "I Know My Love". It is a show

he has little interest in seeing, but he thinks Sally Hayes will love it.

Next, Holden takes a taxi up to Central Park to look for Phoebe and give her the record.

Though Phoebe often visits Central Park, she is not there, so Holden starts walking toward the

Museum of Natural History, reminiscing about past trips he has made there. When he arrives,

he changes his mind about going in. Instead, he hails a taxi and heads for the Biltmore to meet

Sally Hayes

Essential Questions:

1. Does Holden have any guilty feelings about Allie? Do you feel this is abnormal in any

way, or is it normal?

2. What makes Holden cry?

3. What evidence shows us that holden might have made a good actor?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide4. What is the point that Holden tries to make about peple when he elaborates about

the suitcases of the nuns and his former roommate?

5. How does Holden treat the nuns?

6. Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?

Chapter 16

Holden finishes his breakfast around noon and decides to take a walk since he has two hours

to spare before his date with Sally Hayes. While he is walking, Holden cannot help but think

about the nuns and their collection basket. This sets him off imagining what his mother, aunt,

and "Sally Haye’s crazy mother" would do if they were given the job of collecting money for

charity.

Holden has no particular direction in mind, but finds himself walking toward Broadway and

decides to stop by a record store and buy a record for Phoebe. He wants to get her a rare

record called ‘Little Shirley Beans’ by "this colored girl singer, Estelle Fletcher". On his way,

Holden comes across "this family that you could tell just come out of some church", and the

little boy attracts Holden’s attention. The boy is walking behind his parents, who are obviously

poor. But the boy is happy and sings to himself. In fact, his carefree attitude and song even

help to dispel some of Holden’s depression.

Holden enters a store and buys the record he wants to take Phoebe. Then he goes to a nearby

drugstore to give Jane Gallagher a call. This time he really does call her house, but hangs up

without asking for her because her mother answers the phone. Holden then buys a

newspaper, checks to see what is playing, and buys tickets for "I Know My Love". It is a show

he has little interest in seeing, but he thinks Sally Hayes will love it.

Next, Holden takes a taxi up to Central Park to look for Phoebe and give her the record.

Though Phoebe often visits Central Park, she is not there, so Holden starts walking toward the

Museum of Natural History, reminiscing about past trips he has made there. When he arrives,

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guidehe changes his mind about going in. Instead, he hails a taxi and heads for the Biltmore to meet

Sally Hayes.

Essential Questions:

1. Who dose Holden make a date with? Why does he call her up if he thinks she is a

phony?

2. How does Holden treat little kids? Give an example.

3. Does Holden know his way around the city? What does this tell us about him?

Chapters 17, 18 and 19

Holden is early for his date with Sally, so he waits for her and indulges in a bit of girl watching.

Sally arrives ten minutes late, but since she is looking extremely nice, Holden decides not to be

upset with her. They watch the play for which Holden has bought tickets, and he reluctantly

admits the show is not bad. Afterward, Sally suggests they go ice skating at Radio City, mostly

because she wants to rent one of those little skating skirts to show off her legs. However, both

Holden and she are miserable skaters, and they finally retreat to the bar for cokes. While

having refreshments, Holden is suddenly roused from his depression with the thought of

running away. He asks Sally to go with him, but she dismisses his idea, thinking he is being

weird. They fight and Sally leaves with hurt feelings.

After Sally leaves, Holden realizes he is hungry and goes into a drugstore to buy a Swiss cheese

sandwich and a malted milk. While in the drugstore, he decides to give Jane Gallagher another

call. Since he is free all evening, he thinks it would be nice to get together with her, but she is

not home. Holden then goes through his entire address book looking for someone to call.

Finally he decides to call Carl Luce, his academic advisor from the Whooten School. He

arranges to meet Carl for a drink at ten o’clock. Holden does not particularly like Carl, but says

he is in the mood for some intellectual conversation. Holden then decides to see a movie to

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guidepass the time. Holden enjoys neither the movie nor the Christmas special presented

beforehand. He leaves the cinema and seems dissatisfied with all of mankind.

Holden is to meet Carl Luce at the Wicker Bar, which is in a very nice hotel. The bar often

features Tina and Janine, who sing silly songs in French and English. Holden recalls that they

are not very talented, but that everyone in the bar gets all excited about the duo. The thought

of their phoniness, naturally, bothers Holden.

Holden arrives at the Wicker Bar early and manages to find a seat even though it is crowded.

While he waits, Holden drinks scotch and sodas and watches some gay guys at the bar. He

begins to think about sex, a subject that he expects he will have lots to talk about with Carl

Luce. Carl arrives and begins to drink. He seems bored and anxious to leave. At several points

in the conversation, he tells Holden to grow up and quit being so childish. Holden persists in

talking about sex even though Carl seems uninterested. Once again, as with Sally, Holden

grows excited while talking and has to be told to lower his volume. When Carl is ready to

leave, Holden pleads with him to stay a little longer. Carl, however, has had enough of Holden.

As he departs he suggests that Holden should be psychoanalyzed.

Essential Questions:

1. How does Holden’s feelings for women compare to his feelings for men?

2. How does Holden feel about actors? How does he feel about the Lunts?

3. What is Holden’s point about the difference between men orning a car and men

owning a horse?

4. How does Holden describe a boy’s school when talking to Sally?

5. Why does Holden want to take off with Sally now instead of after college? What’s the

difference in his eyes?

6. What is Holden’s opinion of the Christmas show at Radio City?

7. Why did Holden think the woman who cried through the movie was a phony?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide8. Why did Holden get mad at Luce for calling his old girlfriend the “Whore of New

Hampshire”?

9. Who was Luce to Holden?

Chapters 20 and 21

Holden remains at the Wicker Bar, getting drunk. A singer named Valencia, accompanied by

some "flitty looking guy with 2wavy hair," is performing. Holden prefers Valencia to Tina and

Janine and asks the headwaiter to invite her to join him for a drink. Either the waiter does not

give her the message or she is not interested, because she exits quickly when her act is

finished.

In his drunken stupor, Holden begins once again to pretend he is wounded in the stomach; he

keeps putting his hand under his jacket to prevent the bleeding. He decides again to call Jane,

but phones Sally Hayes instead. She is not pleased with his phone call in the middle of the

night and, realizing he is drunk, tells him to go home and go to bed. Before leaving the bar,

Holden soaks his head in a basin full of cold water to sober up.

Once outside, Holden starts walking toward Central Park to see for himself whether the ducks

are safely taken care of. He has some trouble finding the duck pond, even though he knows

this part of the park very well. When he finally reaches the lagoon, the ducks are gone, which

makes Holden think about death. He decides he wants to see Phoebe and makes his way

towards home.

Holden arrives at the apartment building and believes he has had "the best break in years"

because the elevator boy is a substitute who does not recognize him. Holden makes up a silly

lie, which ends up confusing the elevator boy enough that he lets Holden up without asking

too many questions. Fortunately, Holden has the house key and makes a tiptoed journey

through the apartment to Phoebe’s room. When she is not in her bed, Holden remembers that

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guideshe sometimes sleeps in D.B.’s room. He finds her sleeping soundly and watches for awhile.

Before he wakes her, Holden sits down at the desk and reads one of her school notebooks.

As expected, Phoebe is thrilled to see him. She tells him about all the recent happenings in her

life. Holden listens with a great deal of care and affection and is happy just to be with her. She

tells Holden their parents are at a party in Connecticut and will not be home until late.

Suddenly she realizes Holden is home from Pencey earlier than he should be and asks if he has

been kicked out again. Holden tries to lie his way out of the situation, but Phoebe sees through

him and gets upset. She covers her head with a pillow and refuses to talk to him

Essential Questions:

1. How does Holden “act” again in this chapter?

2. What happens to Holden at the Wicker Bar?

3. What happens to Phoebe’s record?

4. Where does Holden go right after he leaves the bar

5. What information does Holden finally tell us about Allie’s funeral?

6. What does Holden say about Allie that contradicts all his other statements about

being an atheist?

7. What does Holden find so intriguing about Phoebe’s notebook?

Chapters 22, 23 and 24

Holden tries to coax Phoebe out of her anger, but she is too disappointed. She knows that the

family will once again be thrown into chaos with the news of Holden’s most recent expulsion.

Each time Holden tries to steer the conversation away from his actions, Phoebe draws him

back in. Finally, Phoebe challenges Holden to name any one thing that he really likes, and asks

him what he would like to become. After some thought Holden tells her that he wants to be

the catcher in the rye. Phoebe’s response after a long silence is, "Daddy’s going to kill you".

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading GuideHolden says he does not care; then goes into the living room to call Mr. Antolini, his English

teacher from Elkton Hills.

Holden’s phone conversation with Mr. Antolini is very brief, for he is afraid his parents may

return any moment and find him at home. Mr. Antolini quite nicely invites Holden to come

over even though it is late at night. Holden rushes back to the room and discovers that Phoebe

has turned on the radio. He asks if she would like to dance, and she jumps out of bed eagerly.

After a while, when they are resting, Phoebe hears their parents come in and hurriedly

switches off the light. Holden puts out his cigarette and hides in the closet. Their mother

comes into the room to check on Phoebe, and Phoebe, to protect her brother, lies and says

she has been smoking. When their mother finally leaves, Holden comes out of the closet. He

tells Phoebe he is going and asks her to loan him some money. She willingly hands over all her

Christmas money and Holden quite unexpectedly begins to cry. His tears flow for a long time,

and when he finally stops, he sneaks out of the house.

Feeling dizzy, Holden takes a taxi to Mr. Antolini’s house. Mr. Antolini asks Holden what is

troubling him and why he has failed again. Holden begins an explanation, hoping that Mr.

Antolini will understand. Antolini, however, is full of advice and does not give the compassion

and acceptance Holden seeks and needs. Holden grows tired of the advice and wants the

conversation to end. When he yawns, Mr. Antolini stops talking and helps Holden make his

bed. The exhausted boy drops off to sleep almost immediately. He wakes in the night to find

Mr. Antolini stroking his forehead. Holden interprets the gesture as something perverse. He

panics and decides to leave immediately, telling Mr. Antolini that he has forgotten to collect

his suitcases from the locker at Grand Central Station.

Essential Questions:

1. Why did it dpress holden when an “old guy” told him that his days at Pencey were the

happiest day of his life?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide2. What does it tell us about Holden when Phoebe states “You don’t like anything that’s

happening”?

3. Why does Holden think about James Castle when Phoebe asks him to name one thing

he likes a lot?

4. What does Holden tell phoebe he’d like to be?

5. Who is Mr. Antolini?

6. How does Phoebe cover for Holden when their parents come home?

7. In talking with her parents how does Phoebe “sound” like Holden?

8. What does Phoebe do that makes Holden cry?

9. What does Holden give to Phoebe?

10.Why does Holden fail his speech class?

11.How does Holden feel physically while he is talking to Mr. Antolini?

12.What does Holden say about him hating people, such as Ackley and Stradlater?

13.How does Antolini upset and scare Holden?

14.What does Holden think about Mr. Antolini?

15.What strange feeling does Holden start to have when he steps off curbs?

16.What does Holden decide he must do next? Where does he first go?

17.Why was he so upset with the curse word written on the wall?

18.How does Holden treat the two boys at the museum?

19.Why is it so important to Holden that Phoebe isn’t mad at him?

Chapters 25 and 26

It is in the early hours of Monday morning when Holden returns Grand Central Station. He

decides to sleep on one of the benches in the waiting room because he has nowhere else to

go. He wakes around nine, as the hustle and bustle of the working day begins. He thinks about

the night before and the incident with Mr. Antolini; he wonders if he has misinterpreted

Antolini’s touch. Disturbed by these thoughts, he tries to think of something else. He reads a

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guidemagazine someone has left behind. It is some kind of health magazine, however, and Holden

gets more depressed, certain he has cancer and is dying.

Holden decides to go out and buy himself an inexpensive breakfast. He does not want to

spend too much of Phoebe’s money. Since his stomach is upset, he just drinks coffee. He

leaves the train station and walks out to Fifth Avenue. All around him, people seem to be in

the Christmas spirit, which is depressing to Holden. He begins to imagine he is disappearing,

becoming invisible. He thinks the distance it takes to cross the street keeps growing and fears

he will never reach the other side; it is like a death dream. He then begins to talk to his dead

brother, asking him to help him cross the street. Each time Holden makes it across another

street, he thanks Allie.

After a while, Holden sits down on a bench to formulate a plan of action. He decides he will

hitchhike "way out west". However, he decides to meet Phoebe one last time and say good-

bye. He goes to her school and delivers a note asking her to meet him in the Metropolitan

Museum of Art for lunch. Since he has nothing else to do, he goes to the museum to wait.

While Holden waits, he meets two young boys and helps them locate the display of Egyptian

mummies. The tomb-like structure makes Holden ill, and he goes to the bathroom and faints.

Once he revives, he goes out to wait for Phoebe. She is twenty minutes late, but she is no

longer mad. In fact, she shows up with a suitcase, announcing her intention to go with Holden.

He scolds her and tells her no, which makes her sulk. Finally, Holden convinces her he will not

leave. He takes her to the zoo, and they end up at the carousel. Holden watches as she rides

the carousel over and over, bringing the action of the novel to an end.

Holden is speaking to the analyst in the rest home, saying that he cannot say much more

because it is irrelevant. He predicts he will be discharged soon, and he will be attending a

different school next September. Holden somewhat regrets having discussed his private

experiences with so many people, because in a way he misses the people he has spoken of.

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading GuideHence, he ends with a dictum "Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing

everybody".

Essential Questions:

1. At the conclusion, where is Holden?

2. What aws the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?

3. What does Holden mean when he says “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do,

you start missing everybody.”?

Catcher in the Rye Notes and Reading Guide

Catcher in the RyeNotes and

Reading Guide