1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Discussion for Chapters 1-5

2. “Chapter 1”
Stranger in a Strange Land

3. “Chapter 1” – Question #1
Holden explains that “I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas just before I got pretty run-down and had to come out here and take it easy” (Salinger 1).
How does this statement alter the reader’s point of view regarding all we are about to learn?

4. How is Holden Caulfield’s brother, D.B. Caufield, “a prostitute”?
“Chapter 1” – Question #2
How is Holden Caulfield’s brother, D.B. Caufield, “a prostitute”?

5. “Chapter 1” – Question #3
Why is Holden standing alone on Thomsen Hill? What is the potential significance of the cannon he is near?

6. “Chapter 1” – Question #4
Why has the entire fencing team ostracized Holden? How is this situation “pretty funny, in a way” (Salinger 3)?

7. “Chapter 1” – Question #5
Upon finding a “good-bye”, Holden runs down the hill. Then, as he crosses the road, he explains: “After I got across the road, I felt like I was sort of disappearing. It was that kind of crazy afternoon, terrifically cold, and no sun out or anything, and you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed a road” (Salinger 5).
What do these words allow the reader to see about Holden’s mindset at this moment in time?

8. “Chapter 1” – Question #6
After reading the first six pages, what kind of person is Holden Caulfield?

9. “Chapter 2”
Grown-ups Don’t Know Squat

10. “Chapter 2” – Question #1
What unsettles Holden about his discussion with old Spencer? List at least three issues Holden identifies and explain how these problems affect him.

11. “Chapter 2” – Question #2
Why does Holden believe that life is the game of life is so unfair? Why do the adults (Dr. Thurmer and old Spencer) believe the game analogy is so important?

12. “Chapter 2” – Question #3
If Holden does not respect old Spencer, why is he there to say good-bye? Why does he “[shoot] the bull” instead of telling Spencer what he really thinks? Why is Holden being so “phony”?

13. “Chapter 2” – Question #4
“I’m pretty sure he yelled ‘Good luck!’ at me. I hope not. I hope to hell not. I’d never yell ‘Good luck!’ at anybody. It sounds terrible, when you think about it” (Salinger 15-16).
What does he mean yelling “‘Good luck!’… sounds terrible, when you think about it”?

14. “Chapter 3”
Mr. Annoying Right Next Door

15. “Chapter 3” – Question #1
What does Holden mean when he says, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot” (Salinger 18)?

16. “Chapter 3” – Question #2
What does Holden find off- putting about Robert Ackley? List at least three issues Holden identifies and explain why Holden might detest Ackley because of these problems.

17. “Chapter 3” – Question #3
“‘That’s a dear shooting hat.’
‘Like hell it is.’ I took it off and looked at it. I sort of closed one eye, like I was taking aim at it. ‘This is a people shooting hat,’ I said. ‘I shoot people in this hat.’” (Salinger 22).
Why would Holden make such a suggestion to Ackley? How much do you think he means this?

18. “Chapter 3” – Question #4
How can the reader tell that what Stradlater said about Ackley and his personal habits is probably true? Why then is Ackley so intent on hating Stradlater?

19. “Chapter 3” – Question #5
How do the names of the characters in this chapter affect the way the reader views each of them?

20. “Chapter 4”
All the Kings in the Back Row

21. “Chapter 4” – Question #1
“Stradlater was more of a secret slob” (Salinger 27).
What does Holden mean by this and why does it seem to upset him so much?

22. “Chapter 4” – Question #2
Aside from Holden’s narrative commentary, how can the reader ascertain what kind of person Stradlater really is?

23. “Chapter 4” – Question #3
Why does Holden seem to become so excited about (and protective of) Jane Gallagher? Why does Stradlater seem so indifferent to the information Holden provides?

24. “Chapter 5”
Insight through Composition

25. “Chapter 5” – Question #1
“It was nice, though, when we got out of the dining room. There were about three inches of snow on the ground, and it was still coming down like a madman. It looked pretty as hell, and we all started throwing snowballs and horsing around all over the place.” (Salinger 35).
How does this setting make Holden – and the reader – feel? What mood does it set?

26. What is the topic of Holden’s composition for Stradlater?
“Chapter 5” – Question #2
What is the topic of Holden’s composition for Stradlater?
Why does he say he chose this topic?
Why do you think he chose this topic?