Catcher in the Rye
Chapters 12-18
Hallberg
Language Arts
Room #523
Name____________________________
Block________________
Directions: After you read each chapter, turn to your packet to complete the questions and exercises
regarding what you just read. This is an individual assignment, so you need to complete it on your
own, without help from your classmates, other books, or the internet!!
This entire packet is due in full by _________________________________.
Chapter 12
Study Questions
1. How does Holden describe Horwitz’s personality?
2. What does Holden discuss with Horwitz?
3. How does Holden characterize the patrons at Ernie’s?
4. What is it that Holden objects to about the crowd at Ernie’s?
5. Why does Holden feel sorry for Ernie?
6. Who is Lillian Simmons?
7. From Lillian Simmons’ point of view, what is most impressive about D.B.?
Personal Response: write a short response in complete sentences to the following topic. Should be
thoughtful and reflect your understanding of the novel thus far.
Discuss Holden’s loneliness and depression in terms of how it permeates the entire chapter. How did he
get this way, and what must he do to get out of it?
T-Chart: Fill in the T-Chart below, using page numbers and specific details from the chapter.
On several occasions Holden refers to the ducks and Fish in the pond in Central Park. He wonders what
happens to them when it gets cold outside and asks the cab driver, “Do you happen to know where the ducks go
in the wintertime by any chance?...I mean, does somebody come around in a truck or something and take them away,
or do they fly away by themselves – go south or something?” (p. 81-2). The ducks and the fish are symbols in the
novel. As you fill in the chart, think about what the fish and the ducks represent.
Fish
Characteristics
of each animal
Characters who
could be either animal
and why you think so
Chapter 13
Study Questions
1. Why does Holden walk back to the hotel rather than take a cab?
2. What does Holden think about as he walks back to the hotel?
3. What kind of a drinker does Holden think he is?
4. How does Holden feel when he arrives back at the hotel?
5. What excuse does Holden give for agreeing to meet with the prostitute?
Ducks_____________
Character Sketch for Sunny
Chapter 14
Study Questions
1. After Sunny leaves Holden’s room, whom does he begin talking to?
2. What is it that Holden finds disturbing about Jesus’ disciples?
3. How does Holden say that Jesus chose his disciples?
4. How does Holden know who is knocking on his door even before opening it?
5. Why do Maurice and Sunny return to Holden’s room?
Venn Diagram: Use the Venn Diagram below to compare the three main female characters in the
book. How are they alike? How are they different? Use details from the novel and your notes thus far.
Phoebe
Jane
Sunny
Chapter 15
Study Questions
1. When Holden awakens on Sunday morning, he thinks about the time of his last meal. When was that?
2. Whom does Holden think about calling when he awakens?
3. Where is Sally supposed to meet Holden?
4. Why does Holden not want to tell his mother that he was expelled again?
5. Why did Dick Slagle take Holden’s suitcases out from under the bed and put them out where they could
be seen?
6. Why did Holden miss Dick Slagle after they were given different roommates?
Reader Response
In this chapter, Holden meets a group of nuns on the subway. Part of the reason he feels badly about his
behavior in front of them is because he sometimes tries to act like a saint, and likes to think of himself as
saintly. Is he really that perfect? Are there instances where he is phony and full of hypocrisy? Explain
your viewpoint in several sentences.
Chapter 16
Study Questions
1. What makes Holden sad when he thinks about the nuns?
2. How did the little boy walking with his family lift Holden’s spirits? Hint: “If a body catch a body commin’
through the rye.”
3. What kind of shows does Sally Hayes like to see?
4. Although Holden is getting low on cash, he takes a cab to the park instead of the subway. Why?
5. What is it about Phoebe’s liking to skate near the bandstand that Holden thinks is funny?
6. Why is the young girl in the park having trouble tightening her skate?
7. How does Holden feel while he thinks about Miss Aigletinger taking his class to the museum?
Writing Assignment: The Museum
“Certain things should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and
just leave them alone.” (p. 122)
Write a short essay (three paragraphs) describing the “museum” of your own life—the
moment/memory that should never change. Do a short brainstorming activity to help you to recall all
of the memories that are important to you.
Requirements:
 Review pages 121-122 in chapter 16
 2-3 paragraphs in length (5-7 sentences each)
 Include the above quote, including the quotation marks, somewhere in your essay
 Use descriptive language to describe the physical details you remember of the place/moment
 Thoroughly describe who you were in that time/place
 Convince the reader through description and detail why this time/place should “stay the same.”
 Should be typed, or neatly written, when this packet is due.
Chapter 17
Study Questions
1. Why is Holden depressed when he is sitting in the lobby of the Biltmore?
2. Name two outstanding characteristics of Harris Macklin.
3. What is the best thing Holden can say about bores?
4. After Sally tells Holden that she loves him, how does she want to change him?
5. Holden says that the Lunts do not act like people or actors. What does he say they act like?
6. Why does Sally not talk much during the intermission?
7. What article of clothing does Holden associate with “Ivy League types?”
Draw a Picture: Holden describes to Sally that he is sick of all of the phonies in the world and wants
to isolate himself in a cabin in the woods. Sketch a picture of all of the details he includes in this “dream
world” of his. (p. 132)
What does Sally think of the idea? Do you think he will ever get to this dream world or not? Explain.
Chapter 18
Study Questions
1. After Holden leaves the skating rink, where does he go?
2. Why does Holden go to Radio City after he leaves the drugstore?
3. In the movie, what happens to Alec that causes him to regain his memory?
4. Why is Holden so critical of the lady who sits next to him in the movie?
Reader Response: What do you think of Holden at this point in the story? Choose three adjectives
that best describe him in this moment (ex. depressing, sensitive, confused) and talk about why you picked
the words you did.
Make a prediction of the ending of the story. What will happen, how will it happen, who will be involved,
and will the ending be happy or sad? Explain your reasoning.
Draw: There are many symbols in the story that represent the Holden’s attitudes and role within
society. Think of the many symbols that exist and what they represent. Then create a cover to the story
using ONE of the symbols. Below your drawing, explain the significance of the symbol you chose.
*Think of: ducks, fish, red hunting hat, suitcases, nuns, the catcher in the rye, the museum…
The Catcher in the Rye
By J.D. Salinger
Significance of symbol: