Although Stradlater cannot even get her name correct, Holden knows her well, for she lived next door to him several summers ago and they would play checkers together. One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. Later, Holden decides to write the composition about a baseball mitt full of poems that belonged to his brother, Allie, before he died of leukemia. Stradlater arrives, and since Holden has nothing else to do, Holden joins him in the bathroom. Analysis In one of the best-known openings in American fiction, sets the tone for Holden's personality and narrative style. Thinking Spencer wouldn't understand, Holden tells him only that it's a long story.
When Spencer asks why Holden quit Elkton Hills, he replies that it is a long story. The right side of Holden's head is covered with gray hair, another irony. Holden tries to ignore him, then pretends that he is blind. He asks Holden how he feels about being expelled; he also tries to give advice to Holden. As Holden insists, his tale exists independent of any larger meaning or message.
Glossary Navajo North American Indian people who live in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. He embarks onan epic quest to find late night companionship to relieve the pain and isolation he is feeling. The theme of Holden's favorite D. Chapters 5-8 Chapter 5: Holden, Mal Broussard, and Ackley head off to see a movie. She is the mother of a snobby, annoying kid at Pencey, but Holden lies saying he was the most popular kid in school. The two sit and talk afterwards.
Spencer's room, the scent, which he compares to the smell of Vicks Nose Drops, and the sight of various pills and medicine plunges Holden into depression. He wonders about the ducks down at the lagoon near Central Park South in New York City. Holden has been expelled from Pencey Prep because he has flunked four subjects passing only English , including Mr. Holden, a junior at Pencey, can see the field from where he stands, high atop Thomsen Hill. Stradlater arrives, and since Holden has nothing else to do, Holden joins him in the bathroom. Later, Holden decides to write the composition about a baseball mitt full of poems that belonged to his brother, Allie, before he died of leukemia. He takes us back to a year ago, on his last day at his private Prep School; Pencey.
Holden tries to make small talk, asking about Mr. Spencer can add to his already somber mood, having barely listened to any of Mr. Chapter 19: Holden meets Luce at the Wicker Bar. The Catcher in the Rye by J. Chapters 1-4 Use these Catcher in the Rye chapter summaries to enhance your study of the novel. Salinger is a classic American novel.
Lord Randal My Son refers to an anonymous medieval ballad of northern England or Scotland. Holden interrupts and says he has to leave. Stradlater arrives and asks for the composition and is upset when he finds out its about a mitt. Spencer having to open her own door, thus revealing to us that Holden, obviously comes from a privileged background. He lectures Spencer on the need to do something with his life.
Holden further defends Stradlater, claiming that he is conceited but generous. Holden notices the lack of domestic help, as a result of Mrs. He uses informal language and is very frank. Stradlater leaves and Holden is glad when Ackley comes back because it takes his mind off of Jane. Spencer, who also tries Holden's patience, perhaps because there is a truth in Mr. Spencer's renowned hot chocolate and promising to write, he gladly leaves. He consistently misses as he tries to toss objects onto the nearby bed.
In his sickroom, Spencer tries to lecture Holden about his academic failures. Stradlater uses Holden for favors such as writing papers, while Holden uses Ackley for amusement. The particularities of his story are in keeping with his cynicism and his boredom. Spencer exhibits several characteristics of older men, and Holden wonders why the teacher even bothers to continue living. Chapter 20: Holden gets extremely drunk.
He feels it is the perfect response to Ossenburger's phony presentation. Second, Holden is on his way to bid farewell to his history teacher, Mr. He sincerely cares about the ducks in Central Park. It is not his full life story, but this recent history is perhaps the most telling part of his life so far. His brother, Allie, died of Leukemia years before. Before meeting Sally, Holden buys his sister, Phoebe, a record. Want to hear some thoughts about his name? Spencer asks Holden what he would have done in his shoes, Holden gives a basic, fake answer about appreciating education more, but he lets his mind drift away again: He thinks about the ducks that live in Central Park and where they go when the lake in the park is iced over during the winter.
He says that he will tell us the readers of events occurring around Christmastime of the previous year. Holden walks to the train in the snow and gets on. Soman Chainani and Adam Kissel, October 10, 2008 and ed. However, Holden also believes that Mr. Holden decides to go to New York for a few days before returning home. Despite living a seemingly charmed life and having access to the top prep schools in the country, Holden hates everything and everyone.