Character Overview in The Catcher in the Rye
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Questions and Answers

Who is the protagonist and narrator of the novel?

  • Mr. Spencer
  • Holden Caulfield (correct)
  • Stradlater
  • D.B. Caulfield

    • Who is Holden's younger brother who died of leukemia?

    Allie Caulfield

    What does Holden think of his brother D.B.'s writing career?

    He feels that D.B. prostitutes his talents by writing for Hollywood movies.

    Who is Sally Hayes?

    <p>A very attractive girl whom Holden has known and dated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Jane Gallagher?

    <p>A girl with whom Holden spent a lot of time one summer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Holden's roommate at Pencey Prep?

    <p>Stradlater</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Holden's ten-year-old sister?

    <p>Phoebe Caulfield</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Maurice?

    <p>The elevator operator at the Edmont Hotel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Sunny?

    <p>The prostitute whom Holden hires through Maurice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Ackley?

    <p>Holden's next-door neighbor in his dorm at Pencey Prep.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mr. Spencer?

    <p>Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mr. Antolini?

    <p>Holden's former English teacher at the Elkton Hills School.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Carl Luce?

    <p>A student at Columbia who was Holden's student advisor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advice does Dr. Thurmer give Holden?

    <p>That 'life is a game.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Selma Thurmer?

    <p>The headmaster's unattractive daughter whom Holden likes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Ossenburger known for?

    <p>Making a lot of money by providing cheap burial services.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Herb Gale?

    <p>Ackley's roommate, also known as Ely.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Edgar Marsalla?

    <p>Holden's friend at Pencey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Ed Banky?

    <p>The basketball coach at Pencey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mal Brossard?

    <p>Holden's friend who was on the wrestling team.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mrs. Schmidt?

    <p>The janitor's wife at Pencey Prep.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Ernest Morrow?

    <p>A classmate of Holden at Pencey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mrs. Morrow?

    <p>Ernest Morrow's attractive mother.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Rudolf Schmidt?

    <p>The janitor at Pencey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mrs. Hayes?

    <p>Sally Hayes' mother.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Faith Cavendish?

    <p>A girl Holden meets in New York, who is a prostitute.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Eddie Birdsell?

    <p>A student from Princeton who gives Holden Faith Cavendish's number.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Bernice?

    <p>A pretty blonde woman Holden dances with in the Lavender Room.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mrs. Spencer?

    <p>Mr. Spencer's history professor's wife.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Marty?

    <p>One of the women in the Lavender Room.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Laverne?

    <p>Another woman in the Lavender Room whom Holden finds unattractive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mr. Cudahy?

    <p>A drunkard married to Jane's mom.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Horwitz?

    <p>Cab driver #2 for Holden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Ernie?

    <p>The piano player and owner of Ernie's nightclub.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the Navy guy?

    <p>Lillian's boring date.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Raymond Goldfarb?

    <p>Holden's friend from the Whooton School.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Bobby Fallon?

    <p>A childhood friend of Holden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Arthur Childs?

    <p>A Quaker whom Holden knew at the Whooton School.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Dick Slagle?

    <p>Holden's roommate at Elkton Hills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Miss Aigletinger?

    <p>Holden's grammar school teacher in New York.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Gertrude Levine?

    <p>Holden's partner during excursions to the Museum of Natural History.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Harris Macklin?

    <p>Holden roomed with him at Elkton Hills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is George Something?

    <p>The phony guy that Sally talks to at the matinee.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Al Pike?

    <p>A former boyfriend of Jane Gallagher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Bob Robinson?

    <p>A classmate of Holden who has an inferiority complex.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Roberta Walsh's roommate?

    <p>The girl who thinks Bob Robinson is arrogant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are Tina and Janine?

    <p>Two French entertainers at the Wicker Bar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Valencia?

    <p>A performer at the Wicker Bar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Pete?

    <p>The regular elevator boy at Holden's home.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the Dicksteins?

    <p>Holden's neighbors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is James Castle?

    <p>A nerdy kid who killed himself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Alice Holmborg?

    <p>Phoebe's best friend.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mrs. Antolini?

    <p>A wealthy woman who puts on a public show.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Richard Kinsella?

    <p>A classmate of Holden in Oral Expression class.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Mr. Vinson?

    <p>Holden's Oral Expression teacher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Lillian?

    <p>A woman dating a Naval officer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Character Overview in "The Catcher in the Rye"

    • Holden Caulfield

      • Protagonist and narrator of the story.

    • Allie Caulfield

      • Holden's younger brother who died of leukemia; deeply affects Holden.
      • Described as brilliant and friendly; characterized by his red hair and love for poetry.

    • D.B. Caulfield

      • Holden's older brother; admired short story writer, but criticized for writing screenplays in Hollywood.

    • Sally Hayes

      • An attractive girl with whom Holden has a complicated relationship; intelligent but viewed as conventional by Holden.

    • Jane Gallagher

      • A significant figure in Holden's life; represents respect and attraction; never appears in the narrative, highlighting her importance.

    • Stradlater

      • Holden's well-groomed, popular roommate who is seen as a "secret slob" due to unclean habits.

    • Phoebe Caulfield

      • Holden's ten-year-old sister; symbol of innocence and understanding, providing joy amidst Holden's turmoil.

    • Maurice

      • Elevator operator at the Edmont Hotel; involved in procuring a prostitute for Holden.

    • Sunny

      • The prostitute that Holden hires; represents Holden's awkward attempts to connect with women.

    • Ackley

      • Holden's dorm neighbor; characterized by poor hygiene and annoying habits, yet relies on Holden's company.

    • Mr. Spencer

      • Holden's old history teacher; represents failed attempts to inspire Holden academically.

    • Mr. Antolini

      • Holden's former English teacher; young and supportive but struggles with alcoholism.

    • Carl Luce

      • Holden's older friend with a wealth of sexual experience; advises Holden during a night out.

    • Dr. Thurmer

      • Headmaster of Pencey Prep; expelled Holden, provides advice that "life is a game."

    • Selma Thurmer

      • Daughter of Dr. Thurmer; Holden finds her likable despite her lack of attractiveness.

    • Ossenburger

      • Wealthy benefactor of Pencey Prep; his phony religious speech further cements Holden's disdain for inauthenticity.

    • Ernest Morrow

      • Classmate Holden describes negatively; contrasts Holden's lies about him to his mother.

    • Mrs. Morrow

      • Attractive mother of Ernest; Holden lies to her on a train to protect her feelings.

    • Rudolf Schmidt

      • Janitor at Pencey; Holden uses his name to deflect during conversations.

    • Faith Cavendish

      • A prostitute Holden contacts based on a friend's referral; she does not meet him that night.

    • Bernice, Marty, Laverne

      • Women from the Lavender Room; symbolize Holden's frustrating social interactions.

    • James Castle

      • Teased student who commits suicide; represents the theme of bullying and isolation.

    • Lillian and The Navy Guy

      • Portray the superficial relationships Holden observes; highlight his feelings of alienation.

    • Robert Kinsella

      • Classmate known for digressing in conversations; Holden appreciates his tendency to stray from topic.

    • Mr. Vinson

      • Oral Expression teacher whom Holden dislikes; represents his academic struggles.

    • Jimmy Valentine

      • A character in a story told by characters in the novel, showing the type of narratives Holden finds amusing.

    Themes and Concepts

    • Isolation and Loneliness

      • Many characters represent aspects of Holden's struggle with connection and understanding.

    • Innocence vs. Phoniness

      • Key figures like Phoebe symbolize innocence, contrasting with the often pretentious adults in Holden's life.

    • Grief and Trauma

      • Allie's death looms large, affecting Holden's mental state and interactions with others.

    • Search for Identity

      • Holden's relationships and critiques reveal his inner search for authenticity in a world he perceives as inauthentic.

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    Description

    Explore the key characters in J.D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye. This quiz covers Holden Caulfield, his family, friends, and significant relationships, highlighting their roles and impact on the story. Test your knowledge of the characters and their complexities.

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