The Catcher in the Rye Character Analysis

Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

He tells her he just saw the movie star Gary Cooper, which is a lie. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden sit with the three women from Seattle?

He has nothing better to do, is depressed, and lonely, and wants company. Signup and view all the answers

What was the past relationship like between Holden and Jane?

They were very close friends who did a lot together and played checkers; it was intimate but not physically. Signup and view all the answers

What do Holden and the cab driver talk about?

They talk about the ducks in the lagoon and where they go in the winter. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden leave Ernie's?

He meets an obnoxious girl named Lillian who D.B. used to date, and there's awkwardness, so he leaves. Signup and view all the answers

What was the past relationship like between Holden and the three women from Seattle?

He thinks they are boring and unattractive. Signup and view all the answers

What type of people does Holden actually like?

People who don't depress him and aren't phony, and children because they're innocent. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden visit places he doesn't really like?

He has no choice and is lonely. Signup and view all the answers

Does Holden's description of how he would deal with the glove thief support his claim of being a pacifist, or is he 'yellow'?

He is yellow, meaning he is a coward; in his thoughts, he's violent and not a pacifist, but in reality, he's a pacifist. Signup and view all the answers

Does Holden have any guilt feelings about Allie?

Yes, he wishes he spent more time with his brother. Signup and view all the answers

What made Holden cry?

Old Maurice, the pimp, and elevator boy stole 5 bucks from his wallet. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence shows us that Holden might've made a good actor?

He's a good liar, gives others different names, and acts different than himself. Signup and view all the answers

How does Holden view himself?

He thinks he's a really genuine person but actually he's phony and fake. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden engage with people he does not like, people he considers to be below him?

He's lonely and sad and doesn't want to be alone, so he'd rather be with people that doesn't like him than be lonely. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Holden fixated on violence and suicide?

He thinks badly of everything and has no friends, and doesn't know what to live for. Signup and view all the answers

How does Holden treat the nuns?

He was nice to them and picked up their suitcases; he felt bad for the nuns because the suitcases looked cheap. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Holden think it spoils a conversation if someone asks what religion he is?

He's not Catholic, so it makes the conversation more opinionated. Signup and view all the answers

Is Holden Caulfield a hypocrite?

True Signup and view all the answers

Where is Holden's home?

NYC Signup and view all the answers

How do our surroundings affect the way we think, grow, and act?

Our surroundings affect the way we think and grow; the way we are brought up and what we have been through. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't Holden stay in one place?

He doesn't want to stay in one area with phony people for too long. Signup and view all the answers

How does experience affect one's observations?

You can learn from your mistakes; Holden's always trying to see different places. Signup and view all the answers

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.