The Catcher in the Rye
notes
Names
 Holden
 Phoebe
 Earnest
 Caulfield
Holden’s words
Notice the repetition and usage of these words:
 Phony
 Kill
 Goddam
 Chrissake
 Sorry
 Sad
 Madman
Vernacular- Defined
 Definition of VERNACULAR
 a : using a language or dialect native to a region or country
rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language b : of,
relating to, or being a nonstandard language or dialect of a
place, region, or country c : of, relating to, or being the
normal spoken form of a language
Use of the venacular
J.D. Salinger's use of slang or the vernacular in The Catcher in the
Rye is one of the reasons that the novel was considered
groundbreaking (and at the same time controversial).
Readers identified with Holden Caulfield (the novel's
narrator) because they could "hear" his thoughts through his
natural voice, a voice ridden with repetitious slang words and
expressions that may now seem either commonplace or
completely outdated to current readers.
Vernacular- in context
 hit the ceiling
 "I mean he didn't hit the ceiling or anything." (8)
 booze hound
 "Her mother was married again to some booze hound." (32)
 lousy
 "boy, was she lousy with rocks." (55)
 kill
 "Sensitive. That killed me." (55)
 buzz
 "I felt like giving somebody a buzz." (59)
Chapters 1-8
 Take place on a Saturday
 What has happened so far?
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Fencing game- left foils on the subway
Football game
hanging at the dorm-Ackley creeping
Sees history teacher
Talks about Jane
Writes paper
Gets in fight
Leaves Pencey
Takes train and talks to Mrs. Morrow
Holden as a Christ-like figure
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His head is bleeding after Stradlater fights with him. Holden walks into
Ackley's room with blood dripping on his face. There is a light shining behind
his head. We might picture a halo. Holden turns on the light, and the first word
Ackley says is "Jesus!"
As you read- notice:
- Is Holden self-sacrificing?
- Known to have spent time in the wilderness?
- Is forgiving?
- Is good with children?
- Walks on water?
Chapters 9
“You know those little ducks in the lagoon right near Central
Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to
know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over?
Do you happen to know, by any chance?” (60).
Holden adds another “I am” statement“ I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw” (62). Do
you believe him? How does he counteract this?
Why do you think Holden does not follow through with Faith
Cavendish ( pg. 64-66)
Chapters 10
 How is Holden the “misfit” in his family?
- Discuss Phoebe
- How old is she?
- What does she look like?
- “She’s quite skinny, like me, but nice skinny. Roller-skate skinny”
(67).
- How would you characterize her personality?
 How would you characterize Holden’s childhood through his
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discussion of Phoebe?
Is Holden offensive in his discussion of women?
Is Holden self-deprecating?
Does Holden embody the best and worst of all people?
Is he a sympathetic character?