FREE ESSAY ON CATCHER IN THE RYE Q & A CHPTS. 13 - 28

CATCHER IN THE RYE Q & A CHPTS. 13 - 28

QUESTIONS FOR THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
CHAPTERS 13 & 14
1. Show two ways in which the incident with Maurice and the prostitute demonstrate the
theme of man's inhumanity to man (an aspect of the world of experience).
One incident (which involves the prostitute) is when Holden didn't want to have sex with
her but instead wanted to chat, she responded by saying, "What the heck ya wanna talk
about?" This just shows that talking isn't what she is used to doing, even if she is
getting paid for it. She is probably used to the lascivious male who is only looking to
satisfy his needs. Another incident is when Maurice and Sunny enter Holden's room asking
for more money. You can tell that they aren't used to manners and doing things in a
civilized way. She comes in and sits on the window sill, Maurice sits down in the big
chair. "They acted like they owned the damn place".
CHAPTER 15
1. What is the significance of presenting the episode of nuns at this point in the
novel?
I think the purpose was to show a more positive, religious and faithful Holden Caulfield.
The fact that he gives them money and wishes that he could've given them more just shows
that he is a nice person, who does have morals (even though he did ask for a prostitute).
It's sort of like a break of light in the novel, he still acts "fake" to them, but he
realizes that he shouldn't have and he ends up regretting this.
CHAPTER 16
1. Why does Holden like the Museum of Natural History? Give at least three reasons.
Holden likes the Museum of Natural History because: 1) It brings back memories of when
Phoebe and him were in the same school and they used to go together. - He adores his
sister Phoebe. 2) A lot of his childhood was spent in this museum, he loves the memories
of watching the movie in the big auditorium and the way it used to smell, small stuff
that is really significant to him. 3) He also loved the fact that nothing moved and that
it always stayed the same. I think that this is important to him because he wished the
same could be done for him. He wishes that he can be a kid forever and that he could
always stay the same. I don't think that he is ready to face the world.
CHAPTER 17
1. Why does Holden get angry with Sally Hayes?
Holden gets angry with Sally Hayes because she does not want to go away to Massachusetts
and Vermont with him. She thinks that they are just children. Holden hates that Sally
won't just take risks and live life on the edge. Sally is realistic and thinks about what
will happen in the future and the hardships that they will have to go through.
CHAPTER 18 & 19
1. Luce is a typical member of the society failing Holden. In what ways does Luce fail
Holden?
Luce is focused, intelligent and sophisticated. He doesn't like joking around, he knows
that he has to grow up and he has done just that. I think that Holden hates this because
he wants to stay a kid and to see people like Luce doing things for themselves, being
serious and doing things with themselves makes him upset. Holden knows that he should
look up to Luce and do something with his life but somehow he still wants to be a kid
inside, he is probably afraid of facing the future and what he knows is the real world.
CHAPTER 20
1. Explain the significance of Holden's drunken state. What does the reader learn about
Holden?
I think that the significance of Holden's drunken state is to show that he really is
immature and he really does long to remain a kid. Getting drunk is somewhat of a childish
activity. Real "mature" people can usually handle the alcohol and they know when to not
past their limit. I think Holden enjoys this drunken state because it is somewhat of an
excuse for him. He can act like he has a bullet in his guts because he is drunk and when
you are drunk you are sort of "in another world". The reader learns that Holden is really
immature, he doesn't want to grow up and he is trying as hard as he can to stop this
process. This is why he makes fun of people who are sophisticated and have done things
with themselves 
(he knows that he can't get there himself). 
CHAPTER 21
1. Explain the significance of Phoebe's choice of middle name- "Weatherfield"
The significance of this is that she changes just like the weather. One day she wants one
thing and the next day she wants something else. "Every time I see her she's got a new
middle name for herself." 
CHAPTER 22
1. What happened to James Castle? How does Holden feel about this?
James Castle was a boy who jumped out of the window and killed himself at Elkton Hills.
Some guys wouldn't leave him alone because he wouldn't take back something that he said
about this really conceited boy at the same school. I think that even though Holden
didn't know him too well he still feels for him. It probably reminds him of his deceased
brother Allie.
2. What does Holden want to be?
Holden wants to be the catcher in the rye. Holden wants to catch all the children if they
go over the cliff. "If they are running and they don't look where they're going I have to
come out from somewhere and catch them." 
CHAPTER 23 & 24
1. What advice does Mr. Antolini give Holden? Explain in your own words.
Mr. Antolini tells Holden that you have to try in order to succeed. I think what Mr.
Antolini wrote on the paper sums up the message he is trying to get across to Holden,
"The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark
of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one." This to me basically means
that if you are immature, child-like and give up on everything you will end up dying and
not end up going anywhere in life. On the other hand if you get your mind on the right
track and you actually try then you will have the power to live and seek life to its
fullest. I think that because Holden is not "there" morally and spiritually he does not
see the way of the "mature man".
2. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini's house? Did he overreact or was he justified in
his suspicions?
I think that Holden was justified in his suspicions. I know that if I were in the same
position and somebody starting patting my head in the dark while I was trying to sleep, I
wouldn't even bother with a phony explanation. I would simply get up and leave. It's
obviously unusual behaviour and it shouldn't happen. Imagine if Holden didn't wake up and
something else happened. The way I see it is, it's better to be safe than sorry.
CHAPTERS 25 & 26
1. Explain the significance of the graffiti in the museum and Holden's reaction to it.
I think that the museum signifies a place of innocence and peace for Holden. It's a
child-like place where kids learn about and discover the world around them. I think
seeing the words "*censored* you" had a great impact on Holden because these words are a
sign of corruption, in some way they make the child grow up faster than they have to and
Holden doesn't like that. He'd rather kids stay kids for as long as they have to. That is
what Holden is trying to do but it obviously doesn't work that way. 
2. How does Phoebe save Holden? List at least three ways she saves him.