Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________
The Catcher in the Rye: Symbolism and Characterization
Symbolism:
Describe what the following symbols represent.
What does this represent?
Symbol:
Holden’s red hunting hat
Allie’s glove
The ducks in the park
“Little Shirley’s Beans” Record
Pencey Prep
Central Park
Movies
Unmade Phone Calls
Characterization: Define each type of characterization below. Then, complete
the chart.
There are two methods of characterization: Direct and Indirect. Define in the spaces below.
Methods of Characterization
Examples from the Selection and what they
reveal about the characters
Indirect Characterization
The character is revealed through his or her
own actions.
The writer describes how the character
looks and dresses
Example:
Reveals:
Example:
Reveals:
The character’s private thoughts are
revealed.
Example:
Reveals:
The writer reveals what other characters
in the story say or think about the
character.
Example:
Reveals:
The writer shows what the character says.
Example:
Reveals:
Direct characterization
The writer directly states what kind of
person the character is: sneaky, honest,
evil, innocent, and so on.
Example:
Reveals:
The Catcher in the Rye Test – Quotation Identification
Directions: For each of the following quotes, identify who said it, to whom, the situation in
the novel, and why it is significant. Record your answers on this handout.
1) "Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules."
2) "Ask her if she still keeps all her kings in the back row.”
3) "For Chrissake, Holden. This is about a goddam baseball glove."
4) "Almost every time somebody gives me a present, it ends up making me sad."
5) "My brother D.B.’s a writer and all, and my brother Allie, the one that died, that I told you
about, was a wizard. I’m the only really dumb one."
6) "Then she really started to cry, and the next thing I knew, I was kissing her all over..."
7) "I’m always saying ‘Glad to’ve met you’ to someone I’m not at all glad I met. If you want to
stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though."
8) "Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."
The Catcher in the Rye – Theme Discussion
Directions: Choose one possible theme from the list below and discuss how it relates to The
Catcher in the Rye. Please support your assertions with textual references.
1. Lack of/inability to communicate
2. Loneliness
3. Dealing with death
4. Optimism vs. Pessimism
5. Growing up too quickly
6. Reality vs. Illusion
7. Rites of Passage
8. Other?
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The Catcher in the Rye--Matching
1. Phoebe ____
A. An intelligent guy, but unkind
2. Mr. Antolini ____
B. Won’t marry Holden
3. Ackley ____
C. Wrote poetry on his baseball glove
4. Sally ____
D. Holden refuses sex with her
5. D. B. ____
E. Reads Holden’s test aloud to him
6. Carl Luce ____
AB. Committed suicide
7. Mr. Spencer ____
AC. Holden’s confidant
8. Allie ____
AD. Unattractive and annoying
9. Stradlater ____
AE. The ideal girlfirend
10. James Castle ____
BC. Thinks highly of himself
11. Jane Gallagher ____
BD. Sold out to Hollywood
12. Sunny ____
BE. A kind former English teacher
Imagery:
Imagery:
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Directions: Define the term and select a quote from the novel that you believe is a great example
of imagery. Describe the quote’s overall meaning and then list the descriptive words used in the
sentences.
Quote:
Pg #: _________
What is this quote describing and what type of picture does it attempt to create?
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Comedy: Define the following terms and give an example for each from the novel.
TERM:
Parody
Burlesque
Stereotype
DEFINITIONS:
EXAMPLES:
Sarcasm
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
Tall Tales
Slapstick
Holden’s Psyche: List 5 normal teenage traits that Holden displays and 5 traits
that display a psychological breakdown in Holden.
Normal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Psycholgical
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS - The Catcher in the Rye
Chapters 1-4
1. Who is Holden Caulfield?
2. Where is Holden as he narrates the story?
3. Why wasn't Holden at the big football game?
4. Why wouldn't Holden be back to Pencey after Christmas vacation?
5. What "dirty trick" did Mr. Spencer pull on Holden?
6. Who is Robert Ackley?
7. Who is Ward Stradlater?
8. Identify Jane Gallagher.
9. Why doesn't Holden go down to see Jane?
Chapters 5-9
1. About what does Holden write Stradlater's composition?
2. Why does Holden tear up the composition he had written for Stradlater?
3. Why does Stradlater hit Holden?
4. Where does Holden decide to go?
5. Who does Holden meet on his train ride? Why does Holden lie to her about Ernie?
Chapters 10-13
1. Who is Phoebe?
2. Identify Bernice, Marty and Laverne.
3. Describe Holden's relationship with Jane Gallagher.
4. Why does Holden have to leave Ernie's?
5. What do we learn about Holden from his diversion about his gloves being stolen at Pencey?
6. What was the "big mess" Holden got into when he got back to the hotel after being at Ernie's?
Chapters 14-17
1. Why does Maurice hit Holden?
2. Holden says he felt like committing suicide. Why didn't he?
3. Identify Sally Hayes.
4. Why does Holden check out of the hotel, and where does he go?
5. Who does Holden meet at the "little sandwich bar" after he locks his bags at the station? What
do they talk about?
6. What record does Holden get for Phoebe? Why?
7. What makes Holden "not so depressed anymore" on his way to the record store?
8. Why doesn't Holden like actors?
9. Why does Holden like the museum so much?
10. What does Holden think of "George something--"?
11. How does Holden's feelings for Sally change from the beginning of the date to the end?
Chapters 18-21
1. What does Holden think of the show at Radio City?
2. Why does Holden call Carl Luce even though he didn't like him much?
3. What do Holden and Luce discuss?
4. Why does Holden go home so early (before Wednesday)?
5. What is Phoebe's reaction when she first sees Holden? What is her reaction when she finds out
that he had been expelled?
Chapters 22-26
1. What is Holden's reply when Phoebe asked him why he "got the ax again"?
2. Identify James Castle.
3. Why does Holden go to Mr. Antolini's house?
4. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolini's home before morning?
5. What advice does Mr. Antolini give Holden?
6. How does Phoebe surprise Holden? What is Holden's reaction?
7. Why does Holden sit on the bench in the rain even though it was coming down in buckets?
8. How does Holden explain his catcher in the rye daydream?