1.How Have Holden and Jane Become Friends?

English Reading

Mr. Shimada

The Catcher, Chapter 11

1.How have Holden and Jane become friends?

2.How have Jane and Holden "ever got close to necking one afternoon? What do you think is implied in this episode?

3.To sum up, what kind of relationship has Holden been having with Jane? Analyze his attitude toward her.

4.Where does Holden decide to go at the end of Chapter 11? What kind of person is Ernie?

The Catcher, Chapter 12

1.Who is Horwitz? What kind of conversation does Holden have with him? What do you think of him?

2.Why does Holden say, "If I were a piano player, I'd play it in the goddamn closet" ? (p. 77 or 86) Why do you think he feels "sort of sorry" for Ernie when he has finished playing the piano?

3.Who is Lillian Simmons? What kind of person is she?

The Catcher, Chapter 13

1.Why does Holden wear his red hunting hat on his way back to the hotel?

2.What does Holden mean by "I'm one of these very yellow guys"? Do you think he is really "very yellow"?

3."I never seem to have anything that if I lose it I'd care too much." (p. 81 or 94) What is the significance of this remark in terms of the later development in this chapter?

4.Why does Holden hate fist fights? Does this imply something?

5.Explain about the "big mess" Holden gets involved.

6.Why do you think Holden feels "sad" when he hangs up Sunny's dress?

7.Why do you think Holden "stops" again this time?

The Catcher, Chapter 14

1.Read the Bible (Marco 5:1-20 and Luke 8:27-34) and consider why Holden likes the "lunatic" that lived in the tombs.

2.Why do you think Holden believes Jesus never sent Judas to Hell?

3.Who visited Holden's room? What did they do?

4.Why do you think Holden says, "The goddamn movies. They can ruin you"? (p. 94 or109) Consider his attitude toward the movies.

The Catcher, Chapter 15

1.Why do you think Holden makes a phone call to Sally Hayes instead of Jane? What kind of girl does he say Sally is?

2.What do you think Holden wants to tell us in the suitcase episode?

3.What do you think is the significance of the "Catholic" episode? Why do you think Holden says, "It's just like those suitcases I was telling you about" on pages 101-102 (or 118)? What is the similarity between the episode with the suitcases and the one with Catholics?

4.Describe the two nuns. Why do you think Holden liked them?

5.Holden ends this chapter with, "Goddamn money. It always ends up making you blue as hell." Do you think this remark is relevant to the theme of this chapter?