Catcher in the Rye - Questions + Lesson Plan

Chapter Questions + Schedule for discussion.

Catcher in the Rye

Discussion Questions

 

Week 1: Introduction + Read Ch. 1 - 5

Week 2: Discussion on Ch 1 – 5. Read Ch. 6 - 10

Week 3: Discussion on Ch 6 – 10. Read Ch. 11 - 15

Week 4: Discussion on Ch 11 – 15. Read Ch 16 - 20

Week 5: Discussion on Ch 16 – 20. Read Ch 21 – 26

Week 6: Essay Preparation + Practice Writing

Week 7: Essay Preparation + Practice Writing

Week 8: Write Essay

 

Chapter 1

 

1. Holden is not going to tell readers his life story. What IS he going to tell them?

After telling the story of the cancelled fencing tournament due to Holden’s actions, he

says, “It was pretty funny, in a way.” Is this a funny story? Do we really think Holden

finds it funny? Or is he playing it off? What do you think?

 

    2. In this chapter, Holden is trying to say goodbye. What does he say about leaving places? Is it better to know when you are leaving   or not? What’s his reasoning?

 

Chapter 2

 

1.      During his conversation with Mr. Spencer, Holden gets distracted thinking about ducks in Central Park in New York City. What are some things he wonders about them? What are some solutions that he comes up with while thinking?

 

2.      When talking with Mr. Spencer, Holden reflects on a few reasons he hates growing old and old people. What are these reasons?

 

Chapter 3

 

1.      Holden says, “I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life.” As readers, how should we decide what to believe and what not to? How can we tell if Holden is lying to us or not while reading this novel?

 

2.      Where does Holden get his red hunting hat? What’s unusual about the way he wears the hat?

 

3.      Describe the relationship between Robert Ackley and Ward Stradlater.

 

Chapter 4

 

1.      Who is Ward Stradlater?

2.      Who is Jane Gallagher?

3.      Twice in Chapters 3 and 4, Holden performs actions that he describes as “horsing around”. What are they? How do Ackley and Stradlater react to these actions from Holden?

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

1.      How did Holden break his hand when he was thirteen? What emotional event led to this action?

2.      Describe (in as much detail as possible) the object that Holden chooses to write about for Stradlater’s composition essay.

 

Chapter 6

 

1.      Describe how Stradlater acts on his dates with girls. Why then is Holden so curious (and nervous/concerned) about Stradlater’s date with Holden’s innocent childhood friend Jane Gallagher?

2.      Why does Holden end up punching Stradlater in the face? Holden says he was aiming for Stradlater’s toothbrush. Do you believe that? Why or why not?

 

Chapter 7

 

1.      One of the difficulties of reading a novel with a narrator like Holden is that readers aren’t sure how much to believe for real. Holden uses phrases like “prince”, “gentleman and a scholar”, and “you’re aces” to describe Ackley. Does Holden really feel this way about Ackley or is he being sarcastic? Whatever you choose, explain why you think this.

 

2.      What split second decision does Holden make at the end of this chapter? What is he going to do tonight?

 

Chapter 8

 

1.      What activity does Holden like to do at night by himself?

 

2.      Who does Holden run into while on the train to New York City? What name does he give her? What do they talk about? How does he lie about this topic?

 

 

Chapter 9

 

1.       What question does Holden ask the cab driver? (The cab driver thinks he’s crazy for asking.)

 

2.      Looking out of his hotel window, Holden witnesses a cross dresser and people spitting water on each other. What internal conflict does Holden have about “crumby” acts?

 

3.      Why does Holden call Faith Cavendish? What ends up happening?

 

Chapter 10

 

1.       Describe Holden’s sister Phoebe Caulfield. What are some details he gives? Why does he seem to like her so much?

 

2.      In the Lavender Room, Holden tries to converse with the three women at the next table. How does it go? Why does it go this way?

 

Chapter 11

 

1.      Who does Holden Caulfield sit down and think about while in a hotel lobby?

 

2.      Describe the time Holden and Jane almost made out. Retell the story from Holden’s perspective.

 

Chapter 12

 

1.      What question does Holden ask the cab driver Horwitz?

2.      Why does Holden think Ernie is a phony?

3.      Why does Holden think Lillian Simmons is a phony?

 

Chapter 13

 

1.      What lie does Holden tell the prostitute about why they can’t have sex?

2.      What does Holden want to do instead of have sex?

Chapter 14

 

1.      What do Holden and Maurice the elevator boy/pimp argue about?

2.      How does the argument end? What is the resolution to the conflict?

3.      While dealing with the resolution, what is Holden’s day dream about what he desires to happen next? Be as detailed as possible.

4.      What does Holden consider because he is so depressed? Why does he decide against it?

 

Chapter 15

 

1.      What plans does Holden Caulfield make with Sally Hayes?

2.      Where does Holden store his belongings if not in a hotel?

3.      Why doesn’t Holden like Romeo and Juliet?

4.      How does Holden feel about his conversation with the nuns? Why does he keep offering money? Why does he feel badly at the end?

 

 

Chapter 16

 

1.      Whom does Holden consider calling constantly?

2.      Who does Holden search for at the park?

3.      How does Holden react to the boy saying, “If a body catch a body coming through the rye”? Why do think that it?

 

Chapter 17

 

1.      What happens during intermission that also annoys Holden?

2.      According to Holden, why does Sally really want to go ice skating?

3.      What impetuous act does Holden suggest to Sally? Describe what his plans are.

4.      What does Holden think happens to you after you go to college and get married? What happens to life’s possibilities?

 

Chapter 18

 

1.      What does Holden do to kill time before drinks?

2.      Why do Holden and Allie love the kettledrum player at Radio City so much?

3.      What does Holden think about war? Does Holden think he could ever be in a war? Why or why not?

 

Chapter 19

 

1.      What types of discussions did Luce organize while at Whooton? Give some details.

2.     
 Luce asks Holden, “Is this going to be a typical Caulfield conversation?” What is a typical Caulfield conversation do you think?

3.     
What question about Holden’s character does Luce ask twice?

4.     
Annoyed by Holden’s immaturity, Luce decides to leave. Before leaving, what suggestion does he make to Holden? What does Luce describe would happen if Holden were to follow through with this suggestion?

 

Chapter 20

 

 

1.     After Carl Luce leaves and Holden Caulfield gets drunk, who does he upset by calling them late at night?

2.     
Why does Holden keep striking out with women? Why does he keep at it do you think?

3.     
Why wasn’t Holden at Allie’s funeral?

4.    
Being at duck pond, what memory with his parents does Holden think of?

5.     
In Chapter 14, Holden admits he is an atheist. If that’s true, according to Holden, what happens to Allie after his death?

 

Chapter 21

 

1.      What does Phoebe pretend her middle name is?

2.      What is Phoebe’s reaction to seeing Holden?

3.      What is Phoebe’s reaction to finding out Holden has been expelled again? Does Holden share this reaction?

 

Chapter 22

 

1.       
What are Holden’s excuses for failing his classes and getting kicked out of school? Provide some details.

2.     
How does Phoebe respond to these excuses?

3.     
What is the one thing Holden admits to liking?

4.     
Summarize Holden’s flashback about James Castle at Elkton Hills. What happens? Why does it happen?

 

Chapter 23

 

1.      Who does Holden call?

2.     
Why is this person so important to the Elkton Hills memory from Chapter 22? What role did he play? Why does Holden appreciate this?

3.     
What type of interaction does Holden have with his parents in this scene?

4.     
Where does Holden plan to go after this?

5.     
What happens to Holden’s red hunting hat?

 

Chapter 24

 

1.      How does Holden feel about digressions? How is this reflected in his narration of the novel? How does Mr. Antolini feel about digressions?

2.     
What is Mr. Antolini worried about with Holden’s future? What types of people have also had this thing happen? What is Mr. Antolini’s advice as a solution?

3.     
Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini’s?

 

Chapter 25

 

1.      Where does Holden go after Mr. Antolini’s?

2.     
Describe Holden’s physical health in this chapter.

3.    
  Why does Holden go to his old school?

4.     
What does Holden do with the walls in his old school? What does this say about his character?

5.     
Why is Phoebe mad at Holden? What does he let her do to make up for it?

 

 

Chapter 26

 

 

1.      Where is Holden? Where has he been telling this story from the whole time?

2.     
Why shouldn’t you ever tell anybody anything?

3.     
Predict: Do you think Holden will put in an effort at his new school in the fall? Why or why not?

4.     
What are some major themes of this novel? (A theme is a message, not a general topic.)

5.     
What do you think the following symbols are all about?

 

a. Red hunting hat

b. Ducks

c. Natural History Museum

d. Carousel