Catcher in the Rye Questions

Catcher Qs

"This fall I think you're riding for -- it's a special kind of fall, a horrible kind...The whole arrangement's designed for men who, at some time or other in their lives, were looking for something their own environment couldn't supply them with...they gave up looking. They gave it up before they ever really even got started" (187). The most clear explanation of Holden's struggle, only he's too busy struggling to realize it at the moment.

Holden is conflicted about his feelings with Jane (internal conflict), and this is never resolved -- he pursues other girls that he doesn't care about, but never goes back to her. There is also a sudden conflict that arises between he and Mr. Antolini that goes unresolved, when Holden begins to think it might not have been a sexual advance.

3)

a. The snow was "coming down like a madman" (35). reflects Holden's interiority

b. "do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over?" (60). Metaphor for Holden's search for a haven in a changing and cold world.

c. "began to rain like a bastard" (212). Like the snow, reflects Holden's interiority

d. "with my coat on and all" (61). One of countless vague generalities; shows how muddled Holden is (repeated "and all")

e. 1. "I can't see anything religious or pretty, for God's sake, about a bunch of actors carrying crucifixes all over the stage" (137). ironic in his rejection of martyrs.

2. "we looked at the stuff the Indians had made in ancient times" (118). This simplicity makes Holden happy

3. "They gave me Out of Africa" (18). Allusion to a more mysterious and exotic place, but escape is still desired (implied in the title)

4)

"the trouble with girls is, if they like a boy, no matter how big a bastard he is, they'll say he has an inferiority complex" (136). Ironic because Holden does, and desperately wants to be liked by a girl.

5)

Both the rain and snow quotes above exemplify this, as does the rain at the end