The Catcher in the Rye Discussion Questions

1. Discuss the significance of the carousel in the novel.

Toward the end of the novel, Phoebe finally stops being angry with Holden. She agrees to ride on the carousel she used to visit with her three brothers: D.B., Holden, and Allie (who is no more). As Holden watches Phoebe on the carousel, he feels his angst dissipate and finds himself filled with a sense of happiness. For Holden the carousel is representative of childhood and his memories with his siblings.

Holden is deeply fond of Phoebe and Allie. As he watches Phoebe on the carousel, he realizes that she is skilled and old enough to cope in a world of phonies. By admitting that Phoebe, his younger sister, is old enough to take care of herself, Holden also realizes that he is now an adult, and that he must shoulder responsibilities. The carousel circular motion is also a metaphor for life; it suggests that life goes on and on.

2. Holden meets several people before he decides to visit Mr. Antolini. What did Holden want to discuss with these people?

Holden first tries to have a serious discussion with Spencer, who doesn’t seem interested. Later he tries to have a conversation with both Stradlater and Ackley. While Stradlater was busy preparing for his date with Jane, Ackley had not cared much. He then tries to talk to the prostitute at the Edmont Hotel, but is once again disappointed when she tells him she doesn’t want to talk.

Even his interaction with Horwitz, the cab driver, does not result in a meaningful conversation. On multiple occasions, Holden reaches out to people (another example would be his call to Carl Luce), but he either disappoints them or finds his company disappointing. Nonetheless, it is evident that “>Holden is deeply lonely and deprived, that he craves genuine human company.

He visits Mr. Antolini to discuss his calling to become a catcher in the rye. However, Mr. Antolini does not really listen to him and offers Holden unsolicited advice. Holden, already exhausted by his failure to forge connections with people, writes off his conversation with Mr. Antolini, too, as a failed attempt at connecting with people.

3. Despite stating throughout the novel that he despises phoniness, Holden constantly tells lies and behaves in a way he would disapprove of. What does this tell readers about Holden?

Holden comes across as a person of contradictions. He wants to preserve children’s innocence, but does not think twice before speaking vulgarly. He claims to despise deception, but lies to Ernest’s mother on the train. His contradictions may puzzle readers, but they show that he is imperfect and flawed, thereby humanizing his character.

When he lies to Ernest’s mother, Holden does so out of kindness. He tells her that Ernest is a popular student just to make her happy. He is also unable to throw a snowball at anything around him because he finds everything beautiful. Later, he is also bothered by the “fuck you” signs in a children’s school, though he still curses when he talks.

Despite his contradictions and impatience with “phonies,” Holden comes across as a kind, empathetic boy. For instance, he behaves well with the nuns and even remembers them fondly later on in the novel. He is also deeply generous and kind to Phoebe, his younger sister. Even though he lashes out at people and is often disagreeable, one cannot deny that he stands up for what he believes in. His refusal to compromise makes Holden an endearing character.