THE CATCHER IN THE RYE STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What words and phrases in the opening paragraph give you a sense of Holden's personality and state of mind? Correct Answer Holden's personality is as if he doesn't really care about anything the words used were "lousy, crumby, and madman" How does Holden feel about his brother d.b. having become a screenwriter? Correct Answer Holden feels repulsed by it because he says "it killed me." Why does Holden feel "lucky" when he remember throwing the football around with Robert tichener and Paul Campbell? Correct Answer He feels lucky because he remembers a good time that he had at pence and it makes him feel as if he's getting a goodbye Based on how he describes "old Spencer "how do you think Holden feels about old people and aging? Correct Answer Holden doesn't like the idea of aging because it comes with responsibility and you go through a lot of things when you're older What metaphor is used by both Dr. Thurmer and Spencer in order to try to convince hold in the haste to change his outlook on school and life in general? Correct Answer "Life is a game and you must play according to the rules" however Holden feels that the game isn't always in everyone's favor What is Holden thinking about while he is "shooting the bull" with Spencer, and why is he thinking about it? Correct Answer He is thinking about where the ducks at Central Park Lake go when the water freezes over How does Holden react to Spencer’s wishing him "good luck!"? Correct Answer He doesn't like it because he thinks that saying good luck sounds bad Why do people call Ackley by his last name only and why isn't he at the football game? Correct Answer They call him by his last name because that is what he is known as and he isn't at the game because he rarely goes out Why does Ackley ask so many questions? What does this have a show about his personality? Correct Answer He asks a lot of questions because he doesn't want anyone enjoying themselves and he wants attention and this shows that he likes to annoy people on purpose What does Holden mean when he writes that stradlater "was a little bit like Ackley"? In what way or ways are these two different or similar? Is Ackley or stradlater like Holden? Correct Answer Stradlater and Ackley are alike because they are both slobs but Stradlater is a little more quiet about being a slob. Holden and stradlater seem to be alike.