Chapter+5-9+Questions

// Rhea Dandashy, Mohamad Kobeisey, Rami Musallam, Nay Hinain // // Reading Assignment #2 // // The Catcher in the Rye // : Chap. 5-9 (35-66). Whenever possible, note down a page number as reference.

1. What did Holden write Stradlater's composition about?

Holden wrote Stradlater’s composition about his brother who passed away. He wrote about the way he used to catch the baseball.

2. Why did Holden tear up the composition he had written for Stradlater?

Holden started to tear up while writing the composition because he was talking about his brother who passed away, and he had missed the way they used to play around together.

3. Why did Stradlater hit Holden? Stradlater hit Holden because of the way Holden commented about Stradlater’s date, Jane and because Holden called Stradlater a moron. 4. Where did Holden decide to go? Holden decided to go after he got kicked out of Pencey to New York. 5. Holden mentions reading magazines on p. 53. Why doesn’t he like magazines?

Holden doesn’t like magazines because he finds them to be phony.

6. Who did Holden meet on his train ride? Why did Holden lie to her about Ernie? Holden met on his train ride Ernie’s mother. He lied to her about Ernie because he felt that he shouldn’t let her down because she was so proud of her son. Part II. Answer the following questions, based on the passage below. 1. Describe the tone of the passage below from pages 36-37 and what does it tell us about Holden? The tone of the passage below is rather joyous and festive due to his love for snow, however towards the end of the passage the tone begins diverts to an angry tone as he begins to talk about humans. This suggests that he loves snow and dislikes humans. 2. Underline all the references to snow. What mood do they create? The mood these references create is a festive joyous mood. 3. Explain why you think Holden doesn’t throw the snowball? Holden does not throw the snowball because he develops an attachment to it     It took him [Ackley] about five hours to get ready. While he was doing it, I went over to my window and opened it and packed a snowball with my bare hands. The snow was very good for packing. I didn’t throw it at anything, though. I // started // to throw it. At a car that was parked across the street. But I changed my mind. The car looked so __nice and white__. Then I started to throw it at a hydrant, but that looked __too nice and white__, too. Finally I didn’t throw it at anything. All I did was close the window and walk around the room with the snowball, packing it harder. A little while later, I still had it with me when I and Brossard and Ackley got on the bus. The bus driver opened the doors and made me throw it out. I wasn’t going to chuck it at anybody, but he wouldn’t believe me. People never believe you. 4. On page 60 Holden asks the cab driver about the ducks. He says, “You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it’s all frozen over?” (60) 5. Why is Holden concerned about where the ducks go? What does it tell you about Holden? Holden is concerned about where the ducks go because he is trying to act like a hunter with his hunting cap. This tells you that Holden has a very big imagination. 6. What do the two passages above tell you about Holden? The two passages above suggest that behind all that anger Holden is somewhat playful.  7. How does the following quote at the beginning of chapter nine point to Holden’s need to connect with others, but his inability or unwillingness to do so?  The following quote points to the fact The first thing I did when I got off at Penn Station, I went into this phone booth. I felt like giving somebody a buzz […] but as soon as I was inside, I couldn't think of anybody to call up. My brother D.B. was in Hollywood. My kid sister Phoebe […] was out. Then I thought of giving Jane Gallagher's mother a buzz […]. Then I thought of calling this girl […] Sally Hayes. […] I thought of calling […] Carl Luce. […] So I ended up not calling anybody. I came out of the booth, after about twenty minutes or so.  8. Find another example of Holden’s need to connect, but his inability or unwillingness to do so.  Another example of Holden’s unwillingness to connect is when Holden is alone in his dorm on a Saturday night “bored” not knowing who to hang out with.  9. What are Holden’s views on religion?  Holden believes in God.  10. What are Holden’s views on sex?  Holden claims that he is very sexy, and is apparently looking for that sort of relationship.  11. Write a letter Holden. You could give him advice, castigate or encourage him, or anything else as long as your writing speaks to him. Dear Holden, I believe that you are a little self-conscious, and that is the reason why you often struggle to communicate with others. I also believe that you should have a less pessimistic attitude towards others (stop calling them phonies). You’re a smart kid so put that to good use. Sincerely, Rami Nay