Catcher in the Rye Study Guide

 Chapter 1
1.What does Holden mean when he says that his brother D.B. is out in Hollywood "being a prostitute"?

D. B. has sold out to Hollywood, forsaking a career in serious literature for the wealth and fame of the movies.

Holden thinks that His brother D.B. prostitutes his talent with writing short stories for

Hollywood movies, but he admires his short stories anyway.


2.Where is Holden as the story begins?

Holden Caulfield writes his story from a rest home to which he has been sent for therapy.

3;5.Where and What is Prency Prep?

It is  a famous school he attended in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, whatever, Holden has been marred by his refusal to apply himself and he got kicked out after he failed 4 of 5 classes.

4.How did Holden let the fencing team down?

He forgot as manager the teams equipment in the subway, which forced everyone to leave early.

6.what kind of health does holden appear to be in?

Holden feels sorry for leaving the school and disappointing his teacher Spencer.

Chapter 2

1. "Old" Spencer is Holden’s history teacher at Pencey Prep, who unsuccessfully tries to shake Holden out of his academic apathy, and Holden visited him,because he knows that he is ill and of course for feeling sorry for his failing.

2.  Holden is mostly annoyed by Spencer, because of his bad conditioning caused by just being old...

3.  He hates the People and calls them "crooks", and explains that his school is sneaky based on getting money.