Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is Phoebe and what is Holden's opinion of her?
Who is Phoebe and what is Holden's opinion of her?
Phoebe is Holden's little sister; she's really smart, really pretty, sensitive, and emotional, and Holden looks out for her.
What evidence suggests that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?
What evidence suggests that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks?
The waiter asks for an ID when Holden orders a drink, and girls laugh at him when he gives them 'the eyes'.
Why is it difficult for Holden to carry on a conversation with the blonde woman he meets at the Lavender Room?
Why is it difficult for Holden to carry on a conversation with the blonde woman he meets at the Lavender Room?
She doesn't pay attention to him, and he thinks she and the other girls are morons.
How does Holden amuse himself while dancing with Marty?
How does Holden amuse himself while dancing with Marty?
Why does Holden sit with the three women from Seattle?
Why does Holden sit with the three women from Seattle?
What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?
What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?
What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?
What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?
Why does Holden leave Ernie's?
Why does Holden leave Ernie's?
What was the past relationship like between Holden and the three women from Seattle?
What was the past relationship like between Holden and the three women from Seattle?
What type of people does Holden actually like?
What type of people does Holden actually like?
Why does Holden visit places he doesn't really like?
Why does Holden visit places he doesn't really like?
Does Holden's description of how he would deal with the glove thief support his claim of being a pacifist, or is he 'yellow'?
Does Holden's description of how he would deal with the glove thief support his claim of being a pacifist, or is he 'yellow'?
Does Holden have any guilt feelings about Allie?
Does Holden have any guilt feelings about Allie?
What made Holden cry?
What made Holden cry?
What evidence shows us that Holden might've made a good actor?
What evidence shows us that Holden might've made a good actor?
How does Holden view himself?
How does Holden view himself?
Why does Holden engage with people he does not like, people he considers to be below him?
Why does Holden engage with people he does not like, people he considers to be below him?
Why is Holden fixated on violence and suicide?
Why is Holden fixated on violence and suicide?
How does Holden treat the nuns?
How does Holden treat the nuns?
Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?
Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?
Is Holden Caulfield a hypocrite?
Is Holden Caulfield a hypocrite?
Where is Holden's home?
Where is Holden's home?
How do our surroundings affect the way we think, grow, and act?
How do our surroundings affect the way we think, grow, and act?
Why can't Holden stay in one place?
Why can't Holden stay in one place?
How does experience affect one's observations?
How does experience affect one's observations?
Study Notes
Holden's Relationships
- Holden's little sister Phoebe is smart, pretty, sensitive, and emotional, and he looks out for her.
- Holden has a close but non-physical relationship with Jane, with whom he used to play checkers.
Holden's Behavior
- He lies about his age to try to order a drink, but gets laughed at by girls who don't believe him.
- He amuses himself by lying to people, such as telling Marty he saw Gary Cooper.
- He sits with people he doesn't like because he's depressed and lonely.
- He visits places he doesn't like because he has no choice and is lonely.
- He engages with people he doesn't like because he doesn't want to be alone.
Holden's Views
- He thinks he's a genuine person, but actually, he's phony and fake.
- He views himself as a pacifist, but his thoughts about dealing with the glove thief reveal a violent streak.
- He thinks badly of everything and has no friends, which leads him to consider violence and suicide.
Holden's Interactions
- He has difficulty carrying on a conversation with the blonde woman at the Lavender Room because she doesn't pay attention to him.
- He talks to the cab driver about the ducks in the lagoon and where they go in the winter.
- He leaves Ernie's because he meets Lillian, an obnoxious girl who used to date D.B., and it's awkward.
- He's nice to the nuns and feels bad for them because their suitcases look cheap.
Holden's Beliefs
- He thinks it spoils a conversation if someone asks about his religion because it makes the conversation more opinionated.
- He believes that experience affects one's observations, and you can learn from your mistakes.
- He thinks his surroundings affect the way he thinks and grows.
Holden's Environment
- His home is in NYC.
- He can't stay in one place for too long because he doesn't want to be around phony people.
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Description
This quiz analyzes the character of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, including his relationships, behavior, views, and interactions. Discover Holden's personality traits and motivations in this literary character study.
