Catcher in The Rye Study Guide Questions
Catcher in The Rye Study Guide Questions
Catcher in The Rye Study Guide Questions
You are responsible for understanding the vocabulary in this novel. Also, jotting down quotations
and their page numbers as you go along each chapter will help you out a lot later on.
Chapter 1:
When I leave a place I like to know Im leaving it. If you dont, you feel even
worse. (4)
1. What does the allusion to David Copperfield imply?
2. What kind of a school is Pencey? How does Holden see it?
3. How is D.B. a prostitute?
4. How would you characterize J. D. Salingers style of writing?
5. What do you think Holden found funny about leaving all the fencing equipment on the
subway?
6. Whats the rationale behind the more expensive a school is, the more crooks it has? (4)
Chapter 2:
Id never yell good luck at anybody. It sounds terrible when you think about it. (16)
1. What do you think Holden means by people never notice anything?
2. Why does Holden go to see old Spencer?
3. how does Holden feel about old Spencer?
4. Why do you think Spencer reads Holdens final exam out loud? Why does Holden think this is
so terrible?
5. Wy do you think English is the only class Holden passed?
Chapter 3:
Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. (16)
1. Do you believe Holden is illiterate like he says? Why would he say this?
2. What do you think Holden means when he says, This is a people shooting hat. I shoot people
with this hat.? (22)
Chapter 4:
That kind of stuff doesnt interest most people. (32)
1. What is it about Stradlater that really annoys Holden? Why?
2. What is Holdens opinion of Stradlater?
Chapter 5:
He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946. (38)
1. Why, according to Holden, does Pencey have steak night on Saturdays?
2. Why do you think Holden writes Stradlaters composition for him?
3. How did Allies death affect Holden?
Chapter 6:
You always do everything backasswards. (41)
1. Why was Holden so upset about Stradlater dating Jane Gallagher?