1. The Catcher in the Rye
Ch Discussion

2. Phoebe
How has Salinger portrayed Phoebe? Why does he show her this way?
What is it that Holden loves about Phoebe?
What are your thoughts on the way she interacts with Holden?

3. Title
What does Holden mean that he wants to be the catcher in the rye?
How might this idea be symbolic?
This is Holden’s answer to a question about what type of profession he wants. What does that reveal to us about Holden? There are many possible answers; do not settle on just one or two.
Why does Salinger select this phrase as the title?

4. “Comin’ thro’ the rye” by Robert Burns
Read the poem. What does it mean?
O, Jenny's a' weet, poor body, Jenny's seldom dry: She draigl't a' her petticoatie, Comin thro' the rye! Chorus: Comin thro' the rye, poor body, Comin thro' the rye, She draigl't a' her petticoatie, Comin thro' the rye! Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry? (chorus) Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the glen Gin a body kiss a body, Need the warl' ken? (chorus) Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the grain; Gin a body kiss a body, The thing's a body's ain.

5. “Comin’ thro’ the rye” by Robert Burns
Read the plain English translation. What is the poem expressing?
Does the poem’s actual meaning connect to the novel?
Is it significant that Holden has misinterpreted the poem? If so, how so? If not, why include that?
Oh, Jenny's all wet, poor body, Jenny's seldom dry: She draggled all her petticoats, Coming through the rye! Chorus: Coming through the rye, poor body, Comin through the rye, She draggled all her petticoats, Coming through the rye! If a body meet a body Coming through the rye, If a body kiss a body, Need a body cry? (chorus) If a body meet a body Coming through the glen If a body kiss a body, Need the world know? (chorus) If a body meet a body Coming through the grain; Gin a body kiss a body, The thing's a body's own.

6. James Castle What is significant about this anecdote?
Why, when asked to name one thing he likes, does Holden think of this moment?
Why did James Castle jump? Why didn’t he apologize or take back his remark?
Is his death noble or not? How would Holden answer?
Does James Castle falling to his death relate to Holden’s dream to catch children in the rye? If so, how so?

7. Written Response Tips
You’ll have 15 minutes (no more!) to write a paragraph response to one question.
Open book, open note
Begin your paragraph with a claim (your answer to the prompt). Aim for complexity in your response.
Use at least two specific quotes to support.
Use commentary to elaborate and explain how those quotes support your claim.
Do not summarize. Assume your audience has read the book.

8. Paragraph Response
How does the title The Catcher in the Rye connect to one of the central themes of the novel? Use textual evidence to support your position.