Discussion Questions: The Catcher in the Rye

   Discussion Questions

     How does Salinder tend to end chapters? What do they have in common? How do they set the tone of the novel?

There are definite cliffhangers and foreshadowing moments. The way that the chapters end, make you want to read the next chapter. Even if the book is not the most exciting, stylistically the novel keeps an enticing flow.

2.      

   Is Holden the “phony” character in the book?

Yes and no, Holden seems to be a modern day “hipster.” He tries so hard to not be a phony that he over exaggerates everyone else’s motives.  Holden’s age makes it difficult for the reader to sympathize with his idea of a phony. Being an adult reader we can see the contradiction and the nativity that Holden has.  However, as a younger reader, you might be able to apprehend Holden’s point of view. It’s common for teens to rebel and reject the older generation. Holden is, in a sense, acting his age. Holden may be projecting his views of himself onto other people.

3.     

   Catcher in the Rye centers around a young man; can young women relate to this too? What about Holden is gender specific and which qualities do both sexes share?

There are concepts in the book that are asexual. The concept of isolation, rejection, loneliness, and cynicism that are universal to our emotions. Of course, he speaks through a male’s perspective so there are some themes in the book that are harder to connect to as a female.  For example, in Perks of Being a Wallflower we have a narrator that is a little more sensitive and speaks with a larger perspective of the world. Holden, unlike the narrator in Perks is more narrow-minded and contradictory.

4.      

     Is the ending of Catcher optimistic, reflective, or gloomy?

This answer really depends on how you read the book. You are presented with a carousel ride at the end of the novel. The carousel can symbolize how you feel about the end of the book. It seems that he becomes reflective when he looks at the carousel. You also have the weather which alludes to the outcome of the book. Standing in the rain, Holden’s childhood is being washed away. Looking at the carousel he is reminded that he no longer belongs on a child’s ride. He has an epiphany that brings him into the adult world. Throughout the story, Holden is stuck struggling between staying a child and advancing to maturity. I think it’s the epiphany at the end that brings him into the next world.

What do Holden's observations on the gold ring signify? Does his observation reveal anything about his maturity?

The entire novel is on Holden’s observations. His observations are culminating into who he will eventually end up being. It’s those observations that, we believe, transform him in the end. They show where he was and where he wants to go. There is a part where he says, “don’t ever tell anybody anything, because you will miss out on everything.” This quote doesn’t necessarily show maturity, but profound insight. There is a difference between the two. Maturity is about acting on insight. We never see him acting on his insight in the end. As a reader, we are left wondering if Holden was just contemplating his maturity or if he truly matured.

6.      

   Is Holden capable of intimacy?

We see, as a reader, that he desperately wants intimacy, but when it’s given, he doesn’t know how to accept it. We see that, when the teacher is trying to comfort Holden, he rejects him and convinces himself of his teacher’s homosexuality.

7.     

   What is the purpose of the title being misquoted?

It shows Holden’s contradictory nature that even title is misunderstood. We mentioned his use of the word “phony” earlier. The fact that he misrepresents all that he aspires to be shows his lack of understanding. Holden proves that he still has a lot to learn.

This also can represent the fact that Holden is an unreliable narrator.