Mini-Socratic Seminar
QUESTION 1
Psychoanalyze Holden. What is at the root of his problems? What incidents or
thoughts Holden has expressed so far show this?
QUESTION 2
The book was written more than a half a century ago. Yet, many feel that it
reflects contemporary adolescents’ feelings and experiences. What is
timeless and universal about the novel? What can you specifically relate to
in the book? Not relate to at all?
QUESTION 3
Is Holden a sympathetic character? If he were a student at WHS, would you be
his friend? Why or why not?
QUESTION 4
Holden dislikes much about people, his life, and the world. But what does he
like or see as good in the world? Does the book end on an optimistic note?
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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Phoniness
– Holden is very annoyed with Ackley’s phoniness. Yet,
Holden tells extravagant lies to Mrs. Morrow about
her son Ernie; he uses a fake name (Rudolph
Schmidt, the janitor at Pencey); and even claims to
be leaving Pencey because of a brain tumor.
– This constant lying is evidence of immaturity and
even imbalance, but are his intentions cruel, kind, or
simply careless?
– Holden constantly berates movies as phony, but he
clearly has seen a lot of them.
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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Loneliness
– On his way to New York, Holden wants to call someone
but can’t think of anyone: D.B. is in Hollywood; he
“doesn’t feel like” calling Jane; and Sally Hayes’s mom
hates Holden.
– He keeps mentioning though that he wants to call Phoebe,
who sounds a lot like Allie: red hair; unusually clever for
her young age; humorous (She writes fictional stories
about “Hazle Weatherfield,” whose last name she adopts
as her middle name.)
– Phoebe is Holden’s soul mate
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
Even though it’s late when Holden gets to
his hotel room, he is almost on a
desperate mission for human interaction,
from Faith Cavendish, to the girls at the
Lavender Lounge, to even the cab drivers.
 Note Holden’s slip with the first cabbie: He
gives the cabbie his home address. This
may indicate Holden’s subconscious
yearning for home.
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Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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Pain of growing up
Holden keeps asking where the ducks go in winter.
This may be his way of expressing fear and sadness
that the ducks are there one day, gone the next –
just like Allie.
He may need reassurance that they (and Allie) are
OK, wherever they are.
More likely, he may be subconsciously wondering
where is he going to go? Who is going to take care
of him?
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts

Symbols: The red hat revisited
– Uniqueness and individuality.
– He is very self-conscious about it. He
mentions it every time he wears it, and often
does not wear it if he is going to be around
people he knows.
– This mirrors Holden’s need for isolation versus
his need for companionship.
– The hat connects him to Allie (and Phoebe)
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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Writing structure
– Salinger cleverly structures the narrative to signal
there is more to the story than Holden lets on, all of
which contributes to Holden’s decreasing mental
stability.
– Holden never seems particularly concerned about his
own behavior. He often seems angry but rarely
discusses his feelings.
– What emerges, however, is the desperation, pressure,
and trauma he endures during this difficult time in his
life.
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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He never mentions himself. He avoids introspection and
reflection on his own shortcomings and problems by
focusing on the world around him, usually critically.
However, his focus on other people reveals the extent to
which he longs for companionship, love and compassion.
After her stepfather’s intrusion, Jane is overwhelmed by
a pain she cannot articulate. This is similar to Holden’s
situation.
He is struggling with pain he can’t talk about with
anyone in the book.
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
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Sexuality
– What Holden sees through his window at the Edmont Hotel both
confuses and excites him. So he calls Faith Cavendish, a
promiscuous girl recommended to him by a former classmate.
– On the other hand, Holden thinks people should only have sex if
they care deeply about one another, and the “crumby” behavior
he sees seems disrespectful (although on some level, he seems
to like it).
– What bothers him is his perception that sexual attraction can be
separate from respect and intimacy, and that sex can be kinky.
– He meets the three older women in the Lavender Room, who
depress him for being enamored with fame and famous people.
His flirting is comical and ultimately humiliating for him.
– “Sex is something I don’t understand. I swear to God I don’t.”
Chapters 7-12: Thoughts
He clearly also has affection for Jane Gallagher: the only
person outside of his family that he has shown Allie’s glove
to.
 He loves her idiosyncrasies: golfing with her eyes closed;
moving her mouth in all directions when she speaks; keeping
her kings in the back row.
 Jane is an example of Holden’s devotion to those he sees as
innocent; he can’t protect her from the Stradlaters of the
world, and it frustrates him.
 Their physical relationship was mild: Holden was completely
enthralled when they merely held hands and when Jane put
her hand on the back of his neck.
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