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The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Key Questions and Answers
What Does the Ending Mean?
Summary & Analysis
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–4
Chapters 5–6
Chapters 7–9
Chapters 10–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–17
Chapters 18–20
Chapters 21–23
Chapter 24
Chapters 25–26
Video Plot Summary
Characters
Character List
Holden Caulfield
Phoebe Caulfield
Mr. Antolini
Mr. Spencer
Stradlater
Carl Luce
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
What Does the Title Mean?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Religion
Inaction
Appearances
Performance
Quotes By Section
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–4
Chapters 5–6
Chapters 7–9
Chapters 10–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–17
Chapters 18–20
Chapters 21–23
Chapter 24
Chapters 25–26
Quotes By Character
Holden Caulfield
Phoebe Caulfield
Mr. Antolini
Mr. Spencer
Stradlater
Carl Luce
Quotes By Symbol
The “Catcher in the Rye”
Holden’s Red Hunting Hat
The Museum of Natural History
The Ducks in the Central Park Lagoon
Further Study
Context
Mental Health in the Mid-Twentieth Century
Catcher and Vernacular Literature
Movie Adaptations
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Chapters 1-2
Chapters 3-4
Chapters 5-6
Chapters 7-9
Chapters 10-12
Chapters 13-15
Chapters 16-17
Chapters 18-20
Chapters 21-23
Chapter 24
Chapters 25-26
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
Sample A+ Essay
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further Study
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
Further Study
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
1
of 5
What characterizes "a phony," according to Holden?
Joking, playing pranks, going on dates
Intelligence and cynicism
Superficiality, pretension, hypocrisy
Being a good student and going to a good college
2
of 5
Whose phoniness does Holden fail to see?
Phoebe's
Mr. Antolini's
His own
His parents'
3
of 5
How does Holden feel about childhood because he's scared of growing up?
He thinks it's the source of all the phoniness.
He idealizes it.
He says it is falsely idealized.
He says there's no difference between childhood and adulthood.
4
of 5
What does Holden's red hunting cap symbolize?
Rebirth and renewal
Holden's ability to focus
Holden's attempt to be different
Confusion
5
of 5
What does Holden's obsessive search for company reveal?
His deep loneliness
His social nature
Insomnia
The onset of pneumonia
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Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz
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The Catcher in the Rye
Character List
CHARACTERS
Holden Caulfield: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
What Does the Title Mean?
MAIN IDEAS
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
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