Catcher in the Rye Chapters 7-8 Review

Questions and Answers

What does Holden ask Ackley to play?

Canasta

What time does Holden head over to Ackley's room?

around 11 or 11:30 pm

What does Holden know about how Stradlater interacts with his dates?

He starts often with his fake sweet and sincere voice so they think he's a nice guy and a hot guy and then he forces them to have sex with him

What does Holden ask Ackley about his religion?

He asks if you have to be a Catholic in order to join a monastery (become a monk) Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden tell Ackley the fight was about initially?

He tells him the fight was because Stradlater said something bad about Ackley's personality and Holden didn't think it was nice Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden think he'd be okay to stay in Ackley's room?

Ackley's roommate Ely typically goes home on the weekends and comes back Sunday nights so he knew Ely's bed would be open Signup and view all the answers

What politician does Holden link to Stradlater?

Abraham Lincoln Signup and view all the answers

Why did Ackley want to sleep?

He had to go to mass in the morning Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden decide to do as he was down the empty halls at Pencey?

He decides he is going to stay in a hotel in New York for the next few days to get away from Pencey and the people there until his parents know he was expelled Signup and view all the answers

Who was Holden going to go see before making his decision?

He goes to see Frederick Woodruff (the boy he lent his typewriter to) and convinces Frederick to just keep and buy Holden's typewriter off of him Signup and view all the answers

Why did Holden specifically want to give his parents some time to digest 'Thurmer's letter'?

His mother gets very hysterical and upset and he knows if she has a few days to digest the information that she would be okay Signup and view all the answers

Why was Holden sad while packing up his room?

He found the brand new ice skates that his mother had just sent him a few days before and he felt bad because it was a present to him Signup and view all the answers

Why did Holden have a good amount of cash on hand?

He has a rich grandmother who is very old and forgetful and sends him birthday money about 4 times a year Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden do after packing before leaving Pencey?

Counted his money (he had a lot) Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden shout as he leaves Pencey?

Sleep tight, ya morons Signup and view all the answers

What did Holden do right before shouting?

Stood and stared down the corridor for a while, then put his hat on backward Signup and view all the answers

Where does Holden go immediately after leaving Pencey? How does he get there?

He goes to the train station immediately after leaving Pencey but he has to walk there because it was too late for a taxi Signup and view all the answers

How does Holden wash his face?

He grabs some snow and rubs it on his face Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden like to buy on trains when riding at night? Does he do it this time?

A ham sandwich and 4 magazines. He did not do it this time. Signup and view all the answers

Who sits next to Holden, and what does she do as she sits down?

A lady who got on the train at Trenton - she turns out to be Ernest Morrow's mom, and when she sits down she puts her bag right in the middle of the aisle which annoys Holden because people could trip on it. Signup and view all the answers

What pseudonym does Holden give to the woman who sits next to him and why is it significant?

Holden tells the woman that his name is Rudolf Schmidt, which was the name of Holden's janitor in his dorm at Pencey. Signup and view all the answers

How does Holden say he hurt his nose when asked about it on the train?

He says he got hit with a very hard and icy snowball. Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden say about Ernie Morrow? Why?

He says a lot of stuff about Ernie that isn't true - that he adapts well, is nice to people, and is shy and modest. He says this because he liked Ernie's mom and thought she was nice and good looking. Signup and view all the answers

What does Holden invite the woman sitting next to him to do?

To get a cocktail. Signup and view all the answers

What is the truth about Ernie Morrow? What kind of person is he? What does Holden tell his mom, though?

He is an awful and mean person who walks down the hallways and snaps people with his towel and has no idea how to treat others. Holden tells his mom that he is a nice and shy boy though. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden say he'd be allowed to get a drink in the club car? Why doesn't he actually go get one?

He says he is tall and that he has some gray hairs so he could pass as old enough to drink. He doesn't get a drink because it's too late and the drink cart of the train is closed. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does Holden give for leaving Pencey early before Christmas break begins?

He says he is going home early because he has a little tumor in his head that needs to be removed immediately. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does Holden give for not visiting with the Morrows over summer?

He says he will be in South America with his grandmother. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7 Highlights

Holden requests Ackley to play a game of Canasta.
He visits Ackley’s room around 11 to 11:30 PM.
Stradlater is known for using a false sweet voice to charm girls before pressuring them into sexual acts.
Holden inquires if one must be Catholic to join a monastery.
He falsely claims that a fight started over Stradlater criticizing Ackley's personality.
Holden believes he can stay in Ackley’s room since Ely, Ackley’s roommate, goes home on weekends.
He associates Stradlater with Abraham Lincoln, correcting a review sheet error that mistakenly lists Ackley instead.
Ackley is tired because he needs to attend mass the next morning.
Holden decides to escape to a hotel in New York to avoid Pencey and delays telling his parents about his expulsion.
He visits Frederick Woodruff to sell his typewriter, convincing him to keep it.
Holden hopes giving his mother time to process his expulsion will prevent her from becoming overly upset.
Packing his room brings sadness as he discovers new ice skates from his mother.
He has ample cash due to frequent birthday gifts from his wealthy grandmother.
After packing, he counts his money before leaving.
Holden shouts “Sleep tight, ya morons” as he exits, reflecting his disdain for Pencey.
He stands in the corridor for a moment before putting on his hat backward in a show of defiance.

Chapter 8 Highlights

Immediately after leaving Pencey, Holden walks to the train station since it’s too late for a taxi.
He washes his face by rubbing snow on it, emphasizing his resourcefulness.
He typically buys a ham sandwich and magazines on night trains, but he doesn’t indulge this time.
A woman sits next to him on the train, revealing herself to be Ernest Morrow's mother; she annoys Holden by placing her bag in the aisle.
Holden adopts the pseudonym Rudolf Schmidt, after his dorm janitor, to protect his identity.
When asked about his nose injury, he fabricates a story about being hit with an icy snowball.
Holden describes Ernie Morrow as kind, shy, and modest, which contradicts his true mean-spirited nature, motivated by wanting to impress Ernie's mother.
He invites the woman to have a cocktail, showcasing his desire for adult connection.
Despite portraying Ernie as pleasant, he actually finds him to be cruel and inconsiderate.
Holden believes he could get served in the club car due to his height and the pretense of age but doesn't go because the drink cart is closed.
He fabricates a story about a supposed tumor to explain his early departure from Pencey.
He lies about being in South America during the summer to explain why he won't visit the Morrows.

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Test your understanding of J.D. Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye' with this review focusing on chapters 7 and 8. The flashcards cover key events and character interactions, particularly involving Holden, Ackley, and Stradlater. Perfect for reinforcing your knowledge before a discussion or exam.