In What Ways Does Our Narrator Appear To Be An 'Outsider'?
Preliminary English Standard 2013
Area of Study: Change
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
Analysis Questions
Chapter 1 - We meet Holden Caulfield (pp. 1- 5)
1. What evidence is there to suggest that our narrator is currently receiving medical treatment/ recuperating? (Please refer to p. 1 & p. 4).
2. In what ways does our narrator appear to be an ‘outsider’?
3. Why does Holden get expelled from Pencey Prep?
4. Consider why Salinger waits until the end of the chapter to reveal Holden’s name?
Chapter 2 - Holden’s school history (pp. 6- 13)
5. Given Holden’s description of Mr. Spencer, how do you think he feels about elderly people and aging?
6. Why has Holden avoided telling his parents that he has been …show more content…
expelled from Pencey Prep?
7. Holden tells us, “I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now, and sometimes I act like I’m about thirteen. He then continues, “I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am- I really do- but people never notice it” (p.8). Discuss how the above quotes reflect Holden’s anxieties about growing up?
8. Why do you think the question, ‘where do the ducks go in winter?’ enters Holden’s consciousness whilst being lectured to by Mr Spencer? How does this reflect Holden’s reluctance to change?
Chapter 3 - Holden and his schoolmates (pp. 14- 22)
9. Why does Holden consider Ossenburger to be a ‘phony’? How does this contribute to Holden’s perception of Pencey Prep?
10. According to Holden, how can you measure the success of a good book? What does this tell us about Holden’s character?
11. Describe the relationship between Holden and Ackley. Are they friends? Why/ why not?
Chapter 4 - Holden and Jane Gallagher (pp. 23- 30)
12. Why does Stradlater ask Holden to complete his English composition for him? Why does Holden get frustrated when Stradlater instructs him not to “stick all the commas and stuff in the right place” (p. 240)?
13. What are some of Holden’s fondest childhood memories of Jane Gallagher?
14. Why do you think Holden decides not to go downstairs to see Jane?
15. What does Holden reveal about Jane Gallagher’s home life that intrigues Stradlater? How does this situation expose the fundamental differences between Stradlater and Holden’s moral character?
Chapter 5 - A tragedy in Holden’s family (pp. 31- 34)
16. Throughout the novel Holden makes many contradictory statements such as, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot” (p.15) and “I hate the movies like poison, but I get a bang imitating them” (p. 25). Once again in Chapter 4 we find Holden contradicting himself, continuing to say he hates the movies though is prepared to go there. What do you sense Salinger attempts to convey through the use of this device?
17. Why does Holden choose to write Stradlater’s composition on his brother Allie’s baseball mitt? In what way is Allie’s baseball mitt unique? What does this reveal about what all three brothers share in common?
18. Based on Holden’s description, what was Allie like?
19. How did Holden react when Allie passed away? How is this information important to our understanding of Holden’s current state?
Chapter 6 - A quarrel (pp. 35- 41)
20. Why is Stradlater not impressed with the composition Holden has written for him? How does Holden react to this?
21.
Why is Holden so ‘nervous’ when he asks Stradlater about his date with Jane? Why do they start to fight?
22. Why do you think Holden puts on his red hunting hat after his fight with Stradlater?
Chapter 7 - Holden leaves Pencey Prep (pp. 41- 46)
23. What do Holden and Ackley fight about? What is ironic about Ackley’s comment to Holden just before he walks out of his room?
24. Explain why Holden decides to leave Pencey Prep that same night instead of waiting till Wednesday? Where does he plan on going? Why?
25. Why does packing his ice skates make him feel ‘depressed’? What do you think Holden means when he states, “Almost every time somebody gives me a present, it ends up making me sad” (p. 46)?
26. Describe Holden’s emotional state when he is about to leave Pencey.
Chapter 8 - The train to New York (pp. 47-52)
27. How does Holden respond when Mrs. Morrow asks him if he likes Pencey Prep?
28. What does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow her son Ernest is like at school? How does Holden really feel about ‘old Ernie’? How does he justify lying to Mrs. Morrow?
29. In what ways does Holden attempt to mimic adult behaviour in this scene? Why does he feel compelled to do …show more content…
so?
Chapter 9 - Holden arrives in New York (pp. 53- 59) 30. In chapter 9, we find Holden is still trying to solve what happens to the ducks in Central Park during winter. Discuss how this is symbolic of Holden fleeing Pencey?
31. What is Holden’s opinion of the Edmont Hotel? What are some of the observations he makes?
32. What does Holden reveal about his views on women and intimacy?
33. How does Holden feel after Faith Cavendish refuses to meet him for a cocktail?
Chapter 10 - Holden in the Lavender Room (pp. 60- 68)
34. How does Holden describe his ‘kid sister’ Phoebe? What are some of her interests/ hobbies?
35. Given that this is the second occasion that Holden has been refused the service of alcohol, what does this tell us about his appearance? How is his frustration apparent? 36. How do the three girls that Holden meets in the Lavender Room treat him? How does this make him feel?
Chapter 11 - Holden’s memories of Jane Gallagher (pp. 69- 73)
37. How did Holden and Jane become friends? What mutual interests do they share? 38. What do we learn about Jane Gallagher that helps us to come to some understanding as to why Holden is so protective of her? 39. How does Holden compare the connection he has with Jane as appose to other girls?
Chapter 12 - Holden goes to Ernie’s in Greenwich Village (pp. 74-80)
40. In what way is Holden like the fish suspended in the ice?
41. How does Holden characterise the crowd at Ernie’s? What disturbs him about some of the conversations he overhears? 42. Why does Holden feel sorry for Ernie? 43. How does Lilllian react to the news that D.B is now living in Hollywood? Why does this not impress Holden? Chapter 13 - Holden returns to Edmont Hotel (pp. 80 - 88)
44. “I’m one of these very yellow guys.” What does Holden mean by this statement?
45. Why does Holden agree to meet with a prostitute despite his principles?
46. “She was depressing. Her green dress hanging in the closet and all. And besides, I don’t think I could ever do it with someone who sits in a stupid movie all day long.” How is Holden feeling when he is speaking to Sunny?
47. How do the narration and dialogue on the bottom of page 87 help to create the atmosphere of the situation?
Chapter 14 – Holden is beaten up (pp. 89 - 94)
48. “What I did, I started talking, sort of out loud, to Allie.” What does this demonstrate about Holden’s state of mind?
49. “They just knocked again though. Louder.” What is the purpose of the truncated sentence used here? What does it communicated about the situation?
50. “But I’m crazy. I swear to God I am.” How do this statement and the narration that follows give an insight into Holden’s state of mind?
Chapter 15 – Holden makes a date (pp. 95 - 103)
51. What is the effect of the second-person, “If you think I was dying to see him again, you’re crazy.”
52. “Night and day – that killed me.” What does Holden mean by this?
53. Holden repeatedly states he ‘sort of’ does things. What does this tell us about his personality?
54. “Then we both asked to be moved. And the funny thing was, I sort of missed him after we moved…” What insights about Holden’s relationships do we get from this statement?
55. “Catholics are always trying to find out if you’re a Catholic.” How does this quote reinforce Holden’s age and life experiences?
Chapter 16 – More on Holden’s feelings (pp. 104 - 110)
56. “It was Sunday and Phoebe goes roller-skating in the park on Sundays quite frequently. I knew where she hung out mostly” What assumption does Holden make about Phoebe here?
57. “It didn’t seem like anything was coming.” Why is ‘any’ emphasised (by the use of italics) in this line?
58. “Kids always have to meet their friend. That kills me.” What assumption is Holden making about kids in this statement? Why does he consider this to be the case?
59. Why didn’t Holden mind going to the same museum every Saturday?
60. Holden recounts his memories of visiting the museum. What can we gather from his description of his visits? (Consider the detail and narration apparent in his description)
61. “I took my old hunting hat out of my pocket while I walked, and put it on.” How does Holden feel when he puts his hat on?
Chapter 17 – The date with Sally Hayes (pp. 111 - 121)
62. What do we learn from the way Holden lists the different girls in the lobby?
63. “The funny part is, I felt like marrying her the minute I saw her. I’m crazy. I didn’t even like her much, and yet all of a sudden I felt like I was in love with her and wanted to marry her.” What do we learn about Holden from this insight?
64. “The funny part was, they probably met each other just once, at some phony party.” What tone is apparent in this statement?
65. “I sort of hated old Sally by the time we got in the cab…” Why does Holden hate Sally?
66. “Why not? Why the hell not?” What does this dialogue show about how Holden is feeling?
67. Why does Holden laugh at the situation on page 120?
Chapter 18 – Holden sees a film (pp. 122 - 127)
68. What’s significant about Holden getting a Swiss cheese sandwich and a malted? What does it show about his personality?
69. “The trouble with girls is, if they like a boy, no matter how big a bastard he is, they’ll say he has an inferiority complex, and if they don’t like him, no matter how nice a guy he is, or how big an inferiority complex he has, they’ll say he’s conceited.” How does Holden view the way girls react to and treat boys?
70. “I said old Jesus probably would have puked if He could see it – all those fancy costumes and all.” Why does Holden think this? (Consider his response to anything he deems ‘fake’ or ‘phony’ – link to change).
Chapter 19 – The meeting with Carl Luce (pp. 128 - 134)
71. Why does Holden think the bartender is a louse?
72. What does the conversation between Carl Luce and Holden demonstrate about their respective change/s since they were at school together?
73. What does Luce mean when he says, “He’s helped me to adjust myself to a certain extent, but an extensive analysis hasn’t been necessary”?
Chapter 20 – A drunken night (pp. 135 - 141)
74. “People never give your message to anybody.” What does this statement show about Holden?
75. “When I’m drunk I’m a madman.” What is ironic and slightly humorous about this statement?
76. “In the first place, I certainly don’t enjoy seeing [Allie] in that crazy cemetery. Surrounded by dead guys and tombstones and all.” Why doesn’t Holden like to visit Allie’s grave? (Think of the times he has mentioned Allie previously)
Chapter 21 –Phoebe and Holden (pp. 142 - 149)
77. Why is Holden recognising the smell of his home significant?
78. “That killed me. Her middle name is Josephine, for God’s sake, not Weatherfield. She doesn’t like it though. Every time I see her she’s got a new name for herself.” Throughout the novel, Holden is uncomfortable with most of the change he witnesses. Why doesn’t this change bother him?
79. Look at pages 146 and 147. How does the dialogue between Phoebe and Holden demonstrate their differences?
80. “ ‘C’mon outa there,’ I kept saying, ‘C’mon hey… Hey, Weatherfield. C’mon out.’ ” Why does Holden call Phoebe Weatherfield?
Chapter 22 – ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ (pp. 150 - 156)
81. “I just noticed what a stupid haircut somebody gave her. It was way too short.” What does this statement show about how Holden feels towards change?
82. “And they had this goddam secret fraternity that I was too yellow not to join.” What does Holden mean when he says this?
83. What is important about the dialogue between Phoebe and Holden on pages 152 and 153? What does Phoebe do?
84. What does Holden’s opinion of lawyers demonstrate about his view of people and society?
85.
Holden says he wants to be the ‘catcher in the rye’, based on his misinterpretation of the words to the poem. Why is this significant? (Consider both how he views his role in society and also his misinterpretation of the line)
Chapter 23 – An evening with Phoebe (pp. 157 - 162)
86. “She was sitting smack in the middle of the bed, outside the covers, with her legs folded like on of those Yogi guys.” Why is this an effective description?
87. “Then I took my hunting hat out of my coat pocket and gave it to her.” What is significant about this action? What does it demonstrate about Phoebe and Holden’s relationship?
Chapter 24 – An upsetting encounter (pp. 163- 174)
88. “They had this course you had to take, Oral Expression. That I flunked.” How does Holden feel about Oral Expression? Why?
89. “That’s something that annoys the hell out of me – I mean if somebody says the coffee’s all ready and it isn’t.” What does this demonstrate about Holden’s personality?
90. “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” What is Mr Antolini trying to communicate to Holden through this verse?
Chapter 25 – The climax of Holden’s tale (pp. 175 - 191)
91. What does the narration on page 178 demonstrate about Holden’s
mindset?
92. “I’d meet this beautiful girl that was also a deaf-mute and we’d get married.” What do Holden’s imaginings demonstrate about his view of society and how he fits into society?
93. What are the expletives written on the wall symbolic of? (Refer to pages 180 and 182)
94. “All she did was, she took off my red hunting hat – the one I gave her – and practically chucked it right in my face.” What is significant about tis gesture?
95. “All the kids were trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid she’d fall off the goddam horse, but I didn’t say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them and not say anything.” What is important about the gold ring? What change do we see in Holden?
Chapter 26 – More from the hospital bed (p. 192)
96. “That stuff doesn’t interest me too much right now.” What does Holden mean by this?
97. “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” What is significant about this statement? (Try to link it to the concept of change)
Area of Study: Change
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
Analysis Questions
Chapter 1 - We meet Holden Caulfield (pp. 1- 5)
1. What evidence is there to suggest that our narrator is currently receiving medical treatment/ recuperating? (Please refer to p. 1 & p. 4).
2. In what ways does our narrator appear to be an ‘outsider’?
3. Why does Holden get expelled from Pencey Prep?
4. Consider why Salinger waits until the end of the chapter to reveal Holden’s name?
Chapter 2 - Holden’s school history (pp. 6- 13)
5. Given Holden’s description of Mr. Spencer, how do you think he feels about elderly people and aging?
6. Why has Holden avoided telling his parents that he has been …show more content…
expelled from Pencey Prep?
7. Holden tells us, “I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now, and sometimes I act like I’m about thirteen. He then continues, “I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am- I really do- but people never notice it” (p.8). Discuss how the above quotes reflect Holden’s anxieties about growing up?
8. Why do you think the question, ‘where do the ducks go in winter?’ enters Holden’s consciousness whilst being lectured to by Mr Spencer? How does this reflect Holden’s reluctance to change?
Chapter 3 - Holden and his schoolmates (pp. 14- 22)
9. Why does Holden consider Ossenburger to be a ‘phony’? How does this contribute to Holden’s perception of Pencey Prep?
10. According to Holden, how can you measure the success of a good book? What does this tell us about Holden’s character?
11. Describe the relationship between Holden and Ackley. Are they friends? Why/ why not?
Chapter 4 - Holden and Jane Gallagher (pp. 23- 30)
12. Why does Stradlater ask Holden to complete his English composition for him? Why does Holden get frustrated when Stradlater instructs him not to “stick all the commas and stuff in the right place” (p. 240)?
13. What are some of Holden’s fondest childhood memories of Jane Gallagher?
14. Why do you think Holden decides not to go downstairs to see Jane?
15. What does Holden reveal about Jane Gallagher’s home life that intrigues Stradlater? How does this situation expose the fundamental differences between Stradlater and Holden’s moral character?
Chapter 5 - A tragedy in Holden’s family (pp. 31- 34)
16. Throughout the novel Holden makes many contradictory statements such as, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot” (p.15) and “I hate the movies like poison, but I get a bang imitating them” (p. 25). Once again in Chapter 4 we find Holden contradicting himself, continuing to say he hates the movies though is prepared to go there. What do you sense Salinger attempts to convey through the use of this device?
17. Why does Holden choose to write Stradlater’s composition on his brother Allie’s baseball mitt? In what way is Allie’s baseball mitt unique? What does this reveal about what all three brothers share in common?
18. Based on Holden’s description, what was Allie like?
19. How did Holden react when Allie passed away? How is this information important to our understanding of Holden’s current state?
Chapter 6 - A quarrel (pp. 35- 41)
20. Why is Stradlater not impressed with the composition Holden has written for him? How does Holden react to this?
21.
Why is Holden so ‘nervous’ when he asks Stradlater about his date with Jane? Why do they start to fight?
22. Why do you think Holden puts on his red hunting hat after his fight with Stradlater?
Chapter 7 - Holden leaves Pencey Prep (pp. 41- 46)
23. What do Holden and Ackley fight about? What is ironic about Ackley’s comment to Holden just before he walks out of his room?
24. Explain why Holden decides to leave Pencey Prep that same night instead of waiting till Wednesday? Where does he plan on going? Why?
25. Why does packing his ice skates make him feel ‘depressed’? What do you think Holden means when he states, “Almost every time somebody gives me a present, it ends up making me sad” (p. 46)?
26. Describe Holden’s emotional state when he is about to leave Pencey.
Chapter 8 - The train to New York (pp. 47-52)
27. How does Holden respond when Mrs. Morrow asks him if he likes Pencey Prep?
28. What does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow her son Ernest is like at school? How does Holden really feel about ‘old Ernie’? How does he justify lying to Mrs. Morrow?
29. In what ways does Holden attempt to mimic adult behaviour in this scene? Why does he feel compelled to do …show more content…
so?
Chapter 9 - Holden arrives in New York (pp. 53- 59) 30. In chapter 9, we find Holden is still trying to solve what happens to the ducks in Central Park during winter. Discuss how this is symbolic of Holden fleeing Pencey?
31. What is Holden’s opinion of the Edmont Hotel? What are some of the observations he makes?
32. What does Holden reveal about his views on women and intimacy?
33. How does Holden feel after Faith Cavendish refuses to meet him for a cocktail?
Chapter 10 - Holden in the Lavender Room (pp. 60- 68)
34. How does Holden describe his ‘kid sister’ Phoebe? What are some of her interests/ hobbies?
35. Given that this is the second occasion that Holden has been refused the service of alcohol, what does this tell us about his appearance? How is his frustration apparent? 36. How do the three girls that Holden meets in the Lavender Room treat him? How does this make him feel?
Chapter 11 - Holden’s memories of Jane Gallagher (pp. 69- 73)
37. How did Holden and Jane become friends? What mutual interests do they share? 38. What do we learn about Jane Gallagher that helps us to come to some understanding as to why Holden is so protective of her? 39. How does Holden compare the connection he has with Jane as appose to other girls?
Chapter 12 - Holden goes to Ernie’s in Greenwich Village (pp. 74-80)
40. In what way is Holden like the fish suspended in the ice?
41. How does Holden characterise the crowd at Ernie’s? What disturbs him about some of the conversations he overhears? 42. Why does Holden feel sorry for Ernie? 43. How does Lilllian react to the news that D.B is now living in Hollywood? Why does this not impress Holden? Chapter 13 - Holden returns to Edmont Hotel (pp. 80 - 88)
44. “I’m one of these very yellow guys.” What does Holden mean by this statement?
45. Why does Holden agree to meet with a prostitute despite his principles?
46. “She was depressing. Her green dress hanging in the closet and all. And besides, I don’t think I could ever do it with someone who sits in a stupid movie all day long.” How is Holden feeling when he is speaking to Sunny?
47. How do the narration and dialogue on the bottom of page 87 help to create the atmosphere of the situation?
Chapter 14 – Holden is beaten up (pp. 89 - 94)
48. “What I did, I started talking, sort of out loud, to Allie.” What does this demonstrate about Holden’s state of mind?
49. “They just knocked again though. Louder.” What is the purpose of the truncated sentence used here? What does it communicated about the situation?
50. “But I’m crazy. I swear to God I am.” How do this statement and the narration that follows give an insight into Holden’s state of mind?
Chapter 15 – Holden makes a date (pp. 95 - 103)
51. What is the effect of the second-person, “If you think I was dying to see him again, you’re crazy.”
52. “Night and day – that killed me.” What does Holden mean by this?
53. Holden repeatedly states he ‘sort of’ does things. What does this tell us about his personality?
54. “Then we both asked to be moved. And the funny thing was, I sort of missed him after we moved…” What insights about Holden’s relationships do we get from this statement?
55. “Catholics are always trying to find out if you’re a Catholic.” How does this quote reinforce Holden’s age and life experiences?
Chapter 16 – More on Holden’s feelings (pp. 104 - 110)
56. “It was Sunday and Phoebe goes roller-skating in the park on Sundays quite frequently. I knew where she hung out mostly” What assumption does Holden make about Phoebe here?
57. “It didn’t seem like anything was coming.” Why is ‘any’ emphasised (by the use of italics) in this line?
58. “Kids always have to meet their friend. That kills me.” What assumption is Holden making about kids in this statement? Why does he consider this to be the case?
59. Why didn’t Holden mind going to the same museum every Saturday?
60. Holden recounts his memories of visiting the museum. What can we gather from his description of his visits? (Consider the detail and narration apparent in his description)
61. “I took my old hunting hat out of my pocket while I walked, and put it on.” How does Holden feel when he puts his hat on?
Chapter 17 – The date with Sally Hayes (pp. 111 - 121)
62. What do we learn from the way Holden lists the different girls in the lobby?
63. “The funny part is, I felt like marrying her the minute I saw her. I’m crazy. I didn’t even like her much, and yet all of a sudden I felt like I was in love with her and wanted to marry her.” What do we learn about Holden from this insight?
64. “The funny part was, they probably met each other just once, at some phony party.” What tone is apparent in this statement?
65. “I sort of hated old Sally by the time we got in the cab…” Why does Holden hate Sally?
66. “Why not? Why the hell not?” What does this dialogue show about how Holden is feeling?
67. Why does Holden laugh at the situation on page 120?
Chapter 18 – Holden sees a film (pp. 122 - 127)
68. What’s significant about Holden getting a Swiss cheese sandwich and a malted? What does it show about his personality?
69. “The trouble with girls is, if they like a boy, no matter how big a bastard he is, they’ll say he has an inferiority complex, and if they don’t like him, no matter how nice a guy he is, or how big an inferiority complex he has, they’ll say he’s conceited.” How does Holden view the way girls react to and treat boys?
70. “I said old Jesus probably would have puked if He could see it – all those fancy costumes and all.” Why does Holden think this? (Consider his response to anything he deems ‘fake’ or ‘phony’ – link to change).
Chapter 19 – The meeting with Carl Luce (pp. 128 - 134)
71. Why does Holden think the bartender is a louse?
72. What does the conversation between Carl Luce and Holden demonstrate about their respective change/s since they were at school together?
73. What does Luce mean when he says, “He’s helped me to adjust myself to a certain extent, but an extensive analysis hasn’t been necessary”?
Chapter 20 – A drunken night (pp. 135 - 141)
74. “People never give your message to anybody.” What does this statement show about Holden?
75. “When I’m drunk I’m a madman.” What is ironic and slightly humorous about this statement?
76. “In the first place, I certainly don’t enjoy seeing [Allie] in that crazy cemetery. Surrounded by dead guys and tombstones and all.” Why doesn’t Holden like to visit Allie’s grave? (Think of the times he has mentioned Allie previously)
Chapter 21 –Phoebe and Holden (pp. 142 - 149)
77. Why is Holden recognising the smell of his home significant?
78. “That killed me. Her middle name is Josephine, for God’s sake, not Weatherfield. She doesn’t like it though. Every time I see her she’s got a new name for herself.” Throughout the novel, Holden is uncomfortable with most of the change he witnesses. Why doesn’t this change bother him?
79. Look at pages 146 and 147. How does the dialogue between Phoebe and Holden demonstrate their differences?
80. “ ‘C’mon outa there,’ I kept saying, ‘C’mon hey… Hey, Weatherfield. C’mon out.’ ” Why does Holden call Phoebe Weatherfield?
Chapter 22 – ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ (pp. 150 - 156)
81. “I just noticed what a stupid haircut somebody gave her. It was way too short.” What does this statement show about how Holden feels towards change?
82. “And they had this goddam secret fraternity that I was too yellow not to join.” What does Holden mean when he says this?
83. What is important about the dialogue between Phoebe and Holden on pages 152 and 153? What does Phoebe do?
84. What does Holden’s opinion of lawyers demonstrate about his view of people and society?
85.
Holden says he wants to be the ‘catcher in the rye’, based on his misinterpretation of the words to the poem. Why is this significant? (Consider both how he views his role in society and also his misinterpretation of the line)
Chapter 23 – An evening with Phoebe (pp. 157 - 162)
86. “She was sitting smack in the middle of the bed, outside the covers, with her legs folded like on of those Yogi guys.” Why is this an effective description?
87. “Then I took my hunting hat out of my coat pocket and gave it to her.” What is significant about this action? What does it demonstrate about Phoebe and Holden’s relationship?
Chapter 24 – An upsetting encounter (pp. 163- 174)
88. “They had this course you had to take, Oral Expression. That I flunked.” How does Holden feel about Oral Expression? Why?
89. “That’s something that annoys the hell out of me – I mean if somebody says the coffee’s all ready and it isn’t.” What does this demonstrate about Holden’s personality?
90. “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” What is Mr Antolini trying to communicate to Holden through this verse?
Chapter 25 – The climax of Holden’s tale (pp. 175 - 191)
91. What does the narration on page 178 demonstrate about Holden’s
mindset?
92. “I’d meet this beautiful girl that was also a deaf-mute and we’d get married.” What do Holden’s imaginings demonstrate about his view of society and how he fits into society?
93. What are the expletives written on the wall symbolic of? (Refer to pages 180 and 182)
94. “All she did was, she took off my red hunting hat – the one I gave her – and practically chucked it right in my face.” What is significant about tis gesture?
95. “All the kids were trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid she’d fall off the goddam horse, but I didn’t say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them and not say anything.” What is important about the gold ring? What change do we see in Holden?
Chapter 26 – More from the hospital bed (p. 192)
96. “That stuff doesn’t interest me too much right now.” What does Holden mean by this?
97. “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” What is significant about this statement? (Try to link it to the concept of change)