The Catcher in the Rye Characters Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Who is Holden?

Main character of the book who has an older brother, D.B., and a younger sister, Phoebe. He misses his younger brother Allie who died.

Who is Mr. Spencer?

Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep who failed him and whom Holden likes.

Who is Mrs. Spencer?

Mr. Spencer's wife, who is very nice and has hearing problems.

Who is Stradlater?

<p>Holden's attractive, self-absorbed roommate at Pencey, who often asks favors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ackley?

<p>An awkward kid who lives next to Holden at Pencey with poor hygiene.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Allie?

<p>Holden's younger brother who died from leukemia and whom Holden misses deeply.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jane Gallagher?

<p>Holden's childhood friend whom he likes and often thinks about.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is D.B.?

<p>Holden's older brother, a successful writer whom Holden feels has sold out.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Phoebe?

<p>Holden's 10-year-old sister whom he thinks is very smart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lillian Simmons?

<p>A flirtatious girl who used to date D.B. and is perceived as superficial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ernest Morrow?

<p>A jerk at Pencey who is popular and whom Holden makes a joke about to his mother.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ed Bankey?

<p>The basketball coach at Pencey who allows Stradlater to borrow his car.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ernie?

<p>Owner of a nightclub, noted for his piano skills but appears pretentious to Holden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sally Hayes?

<p>A girl Holden used to date, who invites him to trim the Christmas tree.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Horowitz?

<p>A taxi driver who dismisses Holden's question about the ducks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mac Broussard?

<p>A friend of Holden who is on the wrestling team and goes to movies with him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dr. Thurmer?

<p>The headmaster of Pencey Prep who expels Holden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mr. Haas?

<p>Headmaster of Elkton Hills, who Holden sees as phony when dealing with parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Rudolf Schmidt?

<p>The janitor at Holden's dorm, whose name Holden uses as a pseudonym.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mrs. Morrow?

<p>A pretty woman Holden meets on a train and deceives about her son Ernest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Faith Cavendish?

<p>A woman Holden wants to meet who he learned about from a Princeton guy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Bernice?

<p>A girl Holden danced with at the Lavender Room who was distracted by other guys.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eddie Birdsell?

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

Who is Ely?

<p>Ackley's absent roommate who goes home every Saturday.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Main Characters

  • Holden Caulfield: Protagonist and narrator; has siblings D.B. (older) and Phoebe (younger); deeply affected by the death of his younger brother Allie.
  • Phoebe: Holden's intelligent and spirited younger sister, age 10; often brings him comfort and understanding.
  • D.B. Caulfield: Holden's older brother; successful writer whose Hollywood success leaves Holden feeling inferior.
  • Allie Caulfield: Holden's deceased younger brother who passed away from leukemia; remembered fondly for his intelligence and kindness.

Important Relationships

  • Mr. Spencer: Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep; failed Holden but is respected by him; represents Holden's struggle with authority and failure.
  • Stradlater: Holden's self-centered roommate; a senior at Pencey who dates girls without emotional attachment; their conflict illustrates Holden’s frustrations.
  • Jane Gallagher: Childhood friend of Holden; he harbors feelings for her and reminisces about their innocent interactions.

Notable Schoolmates and Figures

  • Ackley: Holden's socially awkward neighbor at Pencey, known for poor hygiene and intrusive behavior; symbolizes Holden’s struggle with social connections.
  • Ernest Morrow: Unpopular student at Pencey; Holden lies about him to his mother on a train, emphasizing Holden's contempt for social norms.

Minor Characters

  • Mr. and Mrs. Spencer: Mr. Spencer is a figure of authority; Mrs. Spencer is kind-hearted yet hard of hearing.
  • Lillian Simmons: Former girlfriend of D.B., seen as superficial, represents the social circles Holden dislikes.
  • Ernie: Piano player at the nightclub; revered for his talent but criticized by Holden for being pretentious.
  • Dr. Thurmer: Headmaster of Pencey who expels Holden; represents the rigidity of school authorities.

Social Themes

  • Isolation and Alienation: Holden feels disconnected from his peers and often critiques their authenticity.
  • Idealism vs. Reality: Characterized through Holden's disdain for "phoniness" and his yearning for genuine connections.
  • Death and Loss: Allie's death profoundly impacts Holden, influencing his emotional state throughout the story.

Miscellaneous Characters

  • Faith Cavendish: A girl Holden wants to connect with; symbolizes his sexual exploration and confusion.
  • Bernice: Holden dances with her but feels unacknowledged, representing his feelings of insignificance.
  • Mac Broussard: Friend from the wrestling team; highlights Holden's social experiences and annoyances.

Key Events and Plot Points

  • Holden’s expulsion from Pencey Prep; reflects his struggle with authority and direction.
  • Interactions with various characters underscore Holden's complex feelings toward adulthood and maturity.
  • Frequent feelings of nostalgia tied to his memories of Allie and childhood experiences.

Character Development and Symbols

  • Rudolph Schmidt: Holden uses this fake name as a metaphor for his urge to escape his reality.
  • Holden's interactions with Mrs. Morrow: Showcase how he copes with social inadequacies through deception.
  • The ducks in the lagoon: Symbolize Holden's inquiries into change and the uncertainty of life's transitions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the main characters and their relationships in J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye'. This quiz covers significant figures like Holden Caulfield, Phoebe, and their dynamics. Explore how these relationships shape the story's themes and Holden's journey.

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