Catcher in The rye chapters 1-6 By Samuel barsamian (or basmanian, barsamanian, or however you want to say it) 

Background on author J.D. Salinger wrote Catcher in the Rye, as well as many other short stories Was extremely recluse, did not like to be in the public eye. His breakthrough work before Catcher in the Rye is arguably his short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" Salinger's main goal prior to Catcher in the Rye was to be recognized in the N.Y. Times  Salinger fought in WWII , then when he returned in 1948, his short story was published in N.Y. times, which then Catcher in the Rye followed shortly after in 1951. Turning point of his delinquent attitude was when Salinger was sent to military school, specifically Valley Forge in Pennsylvania Attended both Ursinus College and Columbia University, was at Columbia for writing, and "found himself" there.

Chapter 1 summary Salinger is practically introducing himself in this chapter, giving background of his family life partially, his school life, and his own thoughts The story opens with Salinger talking about his brother living in Hollywood and being a "prostitute", which is later revealed to be a movie actor. Later on in the chapter he begins to elaborate on his schooling, as he had been kicked out of many schools, including the current one he attends in chapter 1, a private school. Salinger talks about how his true friends of sort only accumulated 4 people in total, one of which was a dying teacher. "It was the last game of the year, and you were supposed to commit suicide or something if old Pencey didn’t win." (Salinger 5).

Chapter 2 summary Chapter 2 begins with Salinger being in his teacher's house to visit him one last time before Salinger leaves for good. As the chapter progresses Salinger's character "Holden" reveals the relationship he has with this "Mr. Spencer" as they talk at Spencer's house about Holden's decisions Spencer acts as a second father in a sense to Holden, however Holden's stubbornness prevents him from seeing any reason as to why Spencer would care for a delinquent like himself. "He really was, too. You could see that. But it was just that we were too much on opposite sides of the pole." (Salinger 20).

Chapter 3 summary Chapter 3 begins with Salinger introducing a characteristic of Holden as described to be a "terrific liar", a very morose theme of the school is revealed as Holden brings up backstory on one of the alumni of Pencey being an undertaker, and describing the business. We're revealed here a few of the roommates that Holden is around, Ackley and Stradlater.  Stradlater is the "good egg" so to say, kind, happy, a role model of sorts for Holden. Whereas Ackley was the exact opposite of Stradlater, an annoyance to Holden. An interesting quote from this chapter is, "This is a people shooting hat, I said. I shoot people in this hat" (Salinger 30). This intrigued me because it was a rather malevolent characteristic to add to Holden's description, regardless if it was jokingly or not

Chapter 4 summary Begins with more characterizations of Stradlater, talking about his negative aspects, and comparisons to other guys at his school. Holden even compares himself to Stradlater's standards of appearance and narcissism. Overall from Chapter 4 Holden learns that Stradlater is dating a girl who used to know Holden before Pencey, and Holden is in shock and awe. Most of the chapter is Holden's analyzation of his own life in comparison to Stradlaters in the sense that Stradlater seemed to have a lot together, aside from his schoolwork, in which Holden is forced into doing. There is some vulnerability shown from Holden at the mention of this childhood crush "Jane Gallagher" as Holden says "I was getting sort of nervous, all of a sudden, I'm quite a nervous guy." (Salinger 44).

Chapter 5 summary Holden's character is developed slightly further with this image of a snowball and its perfection in his eyes. "Finally I didn't throw it at anything. All I did was close the window and walk around the room...but he wouldn’t believe me. People never believe you" (Salinger 48). This is arguably the most vulnerable the reader will see Holden in the first 6 chapters. As the reader sees Holden reveal his feelings about his brother Allie. As he reminisces on his brother's memories before Allie died, and afterwards. "I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it." (Salinger 50).

Chapter 6 summary Holden is at full emotion in this entire chapter, as Stradlater returns from his date with Jane. Holden here reveals how deep his feelings are for Jane, as she had a similar family experience to him, as was revealed in chapters earlier. Stradlater jokes around a lot with Holden, to purposefully get him mad, to the point in which Holden is knocked down by Stradlater physically. "I had blood all over my mouth and chin and even on my pajamas and bathrobe. It partly scared me and it partly fascinated me" (Salinger 59).