The Catcher in the Rye Study Questions

Directions: Provide a response for each question. Use complete sentences. Each response should be 2-4 sentences long.

Chapter 1

1. What do we learn about Holdenâ€™s relationship with his parents in this chapter?

2. How has Holdenâ€™s brother D.B. lost his respect? Why does Holden object to his brotherâ€™s current writing? What does Holden mean when he says D.B. is in Hollywood â€œbeing a prostitute?â€

3. What is Holdenâ€™s self-image in Chapter 1? Find two supporting quotations. What incidents in this chapter tell us that Holden is a loner?

4. Give an example of Holden making a broad generalization (a generalization unsupported with specific evidence).

5. In talking about good-byes, Holden says, â€œI donâ€™t care if itâ€™s a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know Iâ€™m leaving it. If you donâ€™t, you feel even worse.â€ What does this quotation show about Holdenâ€™s character?

Chapter 2

6. Describe Holden. How old is he?

7. What does Holdenâ€™s encounter with Mr. Spencer tell us about him? Give at least three points. Is Mr. Spencer as sensitive to Holden as Holden is to Mr. Spencer?

8. What does Holden mean when he uses the word â€œphonyâ€? Define it as he might. Find two examples of â€œphoniesâ€ in this chapter.

9. Holden is a paradoxical character: both mature and immature, both extremely aware of the realities around him and also caught in his own fantasy world, etc. Defend and develop this idea.

The Catcher in the Rye Study Questions Directions: Provide a res...