Catcher In The Rye Summary Flashcards

Chapter Summaries

Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy, gets expelled from Pencey Prep for flunking four subjects but passes English. He plans to visit his old history teacher before leaving.
Mr. Spencer, Holden's history teacher, is ill and lectures him about his future. Holden grows impatient and leaves to return to his dorm.
In the dorm, Holden interacts with Ackley, an irritating senior who expresses hatred for Holden's roommate, Stradlater. Holden defends Stradlater despite his mixed feelings.
Stradlater returns to the dorm, preparing for a date with a girl named Jane, whom Holden has history with. Stradlater asks Holden to write his composition while he goes out, which annoys Holden.
Holden goes to the movies with Ackley and Brossard but ends up eating burgers. He decides to write about his deceased brother Allie's baseball mitt, which holds sentimental value.
Stradlater reacts poorly to the composition about the mitt, leading to a fight with Holden, who ends up with a bloody nose and frustration over his emotions.
Seeking escape, Holden decides to leave Pencey for New York early, planning to stay in a hotel until Wednesday.
On the train to New York, Holden meets Ms. Morrow and lies about himself, impressing her before she invites him to her summer house.
After disembarking, Holden contemplates calling friends but ultimately does not. He has an awkward taxi ride and fails to meet a stripper he calls.
At the Lavender Room nightclub, Holden encounters uninterested older women but attempts to engage with them unsuccessfully.
Reflecting on past memories of Jane, Holden decides to visit a former club with his brother D.B.
During his club visit, Holden engages in an awkward conversation with the cab driver. At the club, he overhears discussions but feels isolated.
An elevator boy, Maurice, offers Holden a prostitute for $5, which he impulsively accepts. However, he freezes during the encounter and ends up giving her only $5 when she asks for more.
Maurice returns demanding more money, assaults Holden, and takes his money, leaving him injured and vulnerable.
Holden calls Sally Hayes for a date and makes a donation when encountering two nuns, showing moments of generosity amidst turmoil.
Before meeting Sally, he buys a record for his sister Phoebe and tickets for the show, reminiscing about their bond.
Sally and Holden's theater and ice-skating date turns sour when Holden's desire to run away is rejected, leading to an argument and an upset Sally.
Holden considers calling Jane but opts to meet with Carl Luce, who quickly grows frustrated with Holden's barrage of questions during their bar encounter.
After Luce departs, Holden drinks heavily, reflecting on Allie and decides to sneak home to see Phoebe.
At home, Holden talks with Phoebe, who reacts fiercely upon learning of his expulsion.
Phoebe asks Holden what he wants to be, to which he whimsically replies about catching children in a field of rye.
Holden makes a brief call to Mr. Antolini before his parents arrive, prompting him to hide in Phoebe's closet and leave unnoticed.
Spending the night at Mr. Antolini's house, Holden feels uncomfortable when he wakes to find Mr. Antolini touching his head, prompting him to flee.
Deciding to move out west for a fresh start, Holden ultimately chooses to stay home after a heartfelt conversation with Phoebe.
Holden reflects on his life and the unpredictability of the future, expressing feelings of nostalgia and missing those he has known.