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Literature
Other Subjects
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The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Five Key Questions
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
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
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
Chapters 21-23 Quiz
Chapters 21-23 Quiz
1
of 5
What does Holden finally say when Phoebe presses him to name one thing he really likes?
Jane
Singing
Allie
Going to the movies
2
of 5
What happened to James Castle when the boys tormented him?
He took back the thing he said about the conceited boy.
He fell into a coma and had to be hospitalized.
He climbed out the window and down a tree.
He jumped out a window and died trying to get away from them.
3
of 5
What does the lyric—“if a body catch a body coming through the rye”—that Holden misquotes make him imagine?
Walking in the street just along the curb while cars race by, honking
Standing at the edge of a cliff and catching children who come too close to the edge
Being a little kid playing in a field of rye
Running off to become a farmer in Maine or Vermont
4
of 5
What happens when Holden’s parents come home?
They see Holden and get really angry with him.
Holden hides in the closet, then he gives Phoebe his hunting cap, borrows money, and leaves.
They are surprised to find Holden hiding in Phoebe’s closet, but immensely relieved he has come home.
Holden exits by Phoebe’s fire escape and climbs down to the street.
5
of 5
Whom does Holden call in the middle of the night from his house?
Stradlater, whom he never said goodbye to
Mr. Antolini, his old English teacher, whom he liked
Luce’s father who is a psychoanalyst and might be able to help him
An ambulance, because he feels like he might pass out
Previous section
Chapters 18-20 Quick Quiz
Next section
Chapter 24 Quick Quiz
The Catcher in the Rye: Popular pages
CHARACTERS
Character List
CHARACTERS
Holden Caulfield: Character Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
What Does the Title Mean?
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
FURTHER STUDY
Review Quiz
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