Podcast
Questions and Answers
When Holden gets off the train, who does he decide to call?
When Holden gets off the train, who does he decide to call?
- D.B.
- Faith Cavendish
- He can't decide (correct)
- Phoebe
Why won't Holden call Phoebe, his sister?
Why won't Holden call Phoebe, his sister?
- He thinks she doesn't like him anymore
- He doesn't want his parents to pick up the phone (correct)
- He knows she's asleep (correct)
- He is angry with her
What anecdote does Holden bring up with his cab driver?
What anecdote does Holden bring up with his cab driver?
The one concerning the ducks and what happens to them when the lagoon in Central Park South freezes over.
What is the name of the hotel Holden stays in?
What is the name of the hotel Holden stays in?
Why does Holden take off his red hat before going into the hotel?
Why does Holden take off his red hat before going into the hotel?
What does Holden see a man doing out of his hotel window?
What does Holden see a man doing out of his hotel window?
What does Holden see a couple doing from his hotel window?
What does Holden see a couple doing from his hotel window?
What rule about sex does Holden have and with whom does he break it?
What rule about sex does Holden have and with whom does he break it?
Who does Holden call, and why?
Who does Holden call, and why?
Does Faith eventually meet with Holden and why?
Does Faith eventually meet with Holden and why?
What is the name of the nightclub Holden decides to go to?
What is the name of the nightclub Holden decides to go to?
How does Phoebe wear her hair in the summertime compared to the wintertime?
How does Phoebe wear her hair in the summertime compared to the wintertime?
What is peculiar about the first name of Phoebe's imaginary lady detective?
What is peculiar about the first name of Phoebe's imaginary lady detective?
What is the name of the band playing in the Lavender Room?
What is the name of the band playing in the Lavender Room?
The best-looking of the three girls has what color hair and is very good at what? What is her name?
The best-looking of the three girls has what color hair and is very good at what? What is her name?
Which of the girls is persistent in making fun of Holden's age?
Which of the girls is persistent in making fun of Holden's age?
Of the three girls, which is the most corny in saying things like 'licorice stick' and 'little girl's room'?
Of the three girls, which is the most corny in saying things like 'licorice stick' and 'little girl's room'?
Why do the girls leave early?
Why do the girls leave early?
What is the alias Holden uses with the girls?
What is the alias Holden uses with the girls?
How do all the girls know each other?
How do all the girls know each other?
What is Holden still worried about at the beginning of chapter 11?
What is Holden still worried about at the beginning of chapter 11?
How did Jane and Holden meet?
How did Jane and Holden meet?
Jane is not strictly beautiful but also...
Jane is not strictly beautiful but also...
How is Jane 'muckle-mouthed'?
How is Jane 'muckle-mouthed'?
Who is the only person outside of the Caulfield family that's actually seen Allie's mitt?
Who is the only person outside of the Caulfield family that's actually seen Allie's mitt?
What does Jane do after her father leaves the porch, and how does Holden react?
What does Jane do after her father leaves the porch, and how does Holden react?
Why was Jane crying?
Why was Jane crying?
What physical thing did Jane and Holden always do?
What physical thing did Jane and Holden always do?
When Holden decides to leave the hotel, to what other nightclub does he go and where is it?
When Holden decides to leave the hotel, to what other nightclub does he go and where is it?
How does Holden know about Ernie's?
How does Holden know about Ernie's?
What is odd about the streets as Holden goes to Ernie's for a Saturday night?
What is odd about the streets as Holden goes to Ernie's for a Saturday night?
What anecdote does Holden again refer to with his cab driver?
What anecdote does Holden again refer to with his cab driver?
How does Holden's cab driver respond to his anecdote?
How does Holden's cab driver respond to his anecdote?
The audience at Ernie's is mostly whom?
The audience at Ernie's is mostly whom?
Why has Ernie become too good to a point where he's bad?
Why has Ernie become too good to a point where he's bad?
What is Holden's favorite drink?
What is Holden's favorite drink?
What is going on on one side of Holden's table?
What is going on on one side of Holden's table?
What is going on on the other side of Holden's table?
What is going on on the other side of Holden's table?
What is the one good thing Holden says about Lillian Simmons, despite no one liking her?
What is the one good thing Holden says about Lillian Simmons, despite no one liking her?
What is Lillian Simmons' only concern when talking to Holden?
What is Lillian Simmons' only concern when talking to Holden?
How does Holden get back to his hotel?
How does Holden get back to his hotel?
What is a 'yellow guy'? Is Holden yellow?
What is a 'yellow guy'? Is Holden yellow?
At Whooton, Holden drank a whole pint of Scotch with Raymond Goldfarb showing what?
At Whooton, Holden drank a whole pint of Scotch with Raymond Goldfarb showing what?
What does the elevator bellboy ask Holden?
What does the elevator bellboy ask Holden?
Why is Holden nervous about the prostitute?
Why is Holden nervous about the prostitute?
How is a woman like a violin?
How is a woman like a violin?
What happens to Holden as he gets up to answer the door after someone knocks?
What happens to Holden as he gets up to answer the door after someone knocks?
As soon as the prostitute (Sunny) enters the room, what does she do?
As soon as the prostitute (Sunny) enters the room, what does she do?
What does Sunny ask Holden to do for her and why?
What does Sunny ask Holden to do for her and why?
What excuse does Holden have for not being in the mood for sex?
What excuse does Holden have for not being in the mood for sex?
When Sunny leaves, it's becoming light. What does Holden do that he usually does when he gets depressed?
When Sunny leaves, it's becoming light. What does Holden do that he usually does when he gets depressed?
How does Allie act in the Bobby Fallon story that Holden talks aloud to him about?
How does Allie act in the Bobby Fallon story that Holden talks aloud to him about?
Why can't Holden pray?
Why can't Holden pray?
What does Holden like about the Bible but dislike who and why?
What does Holden like about the Bible but dislike who and why?
Why does Arthur Childs disagree with Holden about the disciples?
Why does Arthur Childs disagree with Holden about the disciples?
What does Holden believe about Judas?
What does Holden believe about Judas?
What do Maurice and Sunny return to get from Holden?
What do Maurice and Sunny return to get from Holden?
What does Maurice unbutton, unveiling what?
What does Maurice unbutton, unveiling what?
Where does Holden go after getting punched in the stomach by Maurice?
Where does Holden go after getting punched in the stomach by Maurice?
In Holden's story about being shot by Maurice in the gut only to surprise him and shoot him back, who is there to bandage Holden's wound?
In Holden's story about being shot by Maurice in the gut only to surprise him and shoot him back, who is there to bandage Holden's wound?
Why doesn't Holden commit suicide?
Why doesn't Holden commit suicide?
When do these chapters take place?
When do these chapters take place?
Study Notes
Chapters 9-14 Summary
- Holden refrains from calling his sister Phoebe because he knows she is sleeping and worries their parents might answer the phone.
- He poses an awkward question to his cab driver about what happens to the ducks in Central Park when it freezes; the driver finds it foolish and offers no answer.
- Holden stays at the Edmont Hotel, where he has mixed feelings about wearing his distinctive red hat.
- Revealing moments in his hotel room include observing a man dressed in women's clothing and a couple playfully squirting water at each other.
- Holden breaks his personal rule about not becoming involved with troublesome girls by engaging with Anne Louise Sherman.
- He attempts to contact Faith Cavendish for a drink, but she declines, citing a sick roommate and Holden's youthfulness.
Nightlife and Social Encounters
- Holden visits The Lavender Room, a nightclub, where he notes the first name of a girl, Phoebe's imaginary detective, is spelled unusually.
- He encounters a group of girls, the most attractive of whom, Bernice, is a blonde dancer; Laverne is notable for mocking Holden's age.
- The girls leave early to attend a matinée at Radio City Music Hall.
- Holden adopts the alias "Jim Steele" to interact with the girls, who all work together in Seattle.
Reflections on Relationships
- Holden reflects anxiously on Jane's date with Stradlater, recalling their first meeting with humor.
- Their bond includes physical affection, like holding hands, showcasing their closeness beyond typical teenage relationships.
- At Ernie's club, he observes the audience and comments on the pianist Ernie's style, which has grown too complicated despite his talent.
Personal Struggles and Encounters
- As Holden returns to his hotel on foot, he grapples with feelings about confronting a prostitute, Sunny, emphasizing his virginity and apprehension.
- A mix of awkwardness and humor unfolds when he interacts with Sunny, leading to an emotional and reflective episode afterward.
Emotional Turbulence
- After Sunny leaves, Holden experiences sadness and begins talking to his deceased brother, Allie, reflecting on profound personal loss.
- He expresses skepticism toward religion, favoring Jesus while criticizing his disciples for their shortcomings, leading to existential musings.
Confrontations and Consequences
- Maurice returns to demand money from Holden, resulting in a physical confrontation that leaves Holden feeling vulnerable and introspective about violence and mortality.
- In a hypothetical situation, Holden imagines a dramatic retaliatory scene involving Jane, illustrating his emotional turmoil and longing for connection.
Themes of Isolation and Identity
- Throughout these chapters, Holden grapples with feelings of alienation, the complexities of growing up, and the painful process of dealing with personal grief and social pressure.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapters 9 to 14 of 'The Catcher in the Rye' with this quiz. Explore key events and characters, and delve into Holden's thoughts and decisions during these crucial chapters. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the text!
