catcher in the rye jd salinger. chapter 1 – memories of me “it was the last game of the year and...
TRANSCRIPT
CATCHER IN THE RYE
JD Salinger
Chapter 1 – Memories of Me
“It was the last game of the year and you were supposed to commit suicide or something if old Pencey didn’t win”
We are introduced to Holden Caulfield Holden tells us where and why he is beginning his
story with day he left Pencey Prep Holden provides a physical description of himself Holden tells us why he has been kicked out of
Pencey He goes to see Old Spencer prior to holiday break Sub questions –
Where is Holden? Are there any examples of sarcasm or metaphor
present?Song Choice – Kodachrome - Paul Simon“when I think back on all the crap I learned in
high school…”
Chapter 2 – My Conversation with Old Spencer
“Game, my ass. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are then it’s a game all right-…”
Holden goes to Old Spencer’s house to discuss his academic progress at Pencey
While there Holden reflects on the following – The game of life School The ducks in Central Park His hatred of phoniesSong – The Four Seasons (autumn) –
VivaldiIt reflects the season and the classical
piece makes me think prep school.
Chapter 3 – Campus Life
“I can just see the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs.”
Holden tells us about life at Pencey Holden breaks out his red hunting hat for the first
time We are introduced to Ward Stradlater We meet Robert Ackley We see Holden’s love for reading and several
examples of his sarcasm.
Song – Be True to Your School – The Beach Boys
It demonstrates irony Holden hates school and the song is about showing love/loyalty to your school
Chapter 4 – Whose the Man?
“I’m not in the mood right now,” I said. I wasn’t etiher. You have to be in the mood for those things.
We meet Ward Stradlater, Holden’s roomate Secret slobs v. open slobs Thought question – how important is physical
appearance and how you view yourself? (reflect back to Holden’s description of himself in C. 1)
Jane Gallagher!!!! Why doesn’t Holden say hi?Song – Everything Happens to Me – Chet
Baker“I make a date for golf. You can bet your
life it rains.. Everything happens to me.”
Chapter 5 – Another Saturday Night
“It was a very stupid thing to do, I’ll admit it, but I hardly didn’t even know I was doing it, and you didn’t know Allie.”
Holden goes with friends to Agerstown Holden introduces us to his brother,
Allie Caulfield Think about what makes Allie unique
Holden is open and honest about Allie’s death
Song – Another Saturday Night – Sam Cooke
“Another Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody”
Chapter 6 - TKO
“… but all the athletic bastards stuck together. In every school I’ve gone to, all the athletic bastards stick together.”
Stradlater disses the essay Holden wrote for him
Holden fixates on Jane A fight takes placeSong – Saturday Nights All Right for Fighting – Elton
John
This is a high energy song that explodes the same way Holden does with Stradlater and, of course, the title.
Chapter 7 – Goodnight and Go
“Sleep tight ya morons.” Holden goes to see Ackley after
the fight Holden makes a life altering
decisionSong – Goodnight and Go – Imogen
Heap
The title, the fact it is about is about a tough break up, and the haunting melody
Chapter 8 – A Train to Somewhere
“Sensitive. That killed me. That guy Morrow was about as sensitive as a toilet seat.”
Holden has his 1st encounter outside of Pencey
We see his ability to relate with people (in this case adults) but not honestly New characters – Ernest Morrow’s
mother, Rudolph SchmidtSong – Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys
Knight
Holden is on a train home (New York) after flunking out of Pencey similar to the person in the song who returns to Georgia after failing in LA
Chapter 9 – Holden hits the Big Apple
“She said I was wild and that I had no direction in life.”
Holden has to decide what to do Holden mentions several
characters we will meet later Holden asks the cab driver about
the ducks We get introduced to voyeurism We get an adolescent view on sex
New character – Faith CavendishSong – Englishmen in New York – Sting
About being a “fish out of water” so to speak.
Chapter 10 – When Will I be Loved
“I’m really the only dumb one.” We are introduced to Phoebe,
Holden’s sister Holden meets a trio of girls in the
Lavender Room Holden has difficulty fitting in
anywhere he goesSong – When Will I be Loved – Linda
Ronstadt
“I’ve been pushed down, I’ve been pushed round. When will I be loved?”
Chapter 11 – Memories of Jane
We get the background of when Holden met Jane Question – what role do you think
Jane Gallagher will play in the story? Pay attention – Think about how
Holden talks about Allie, Phoebe, and Jane
Song – This Old Heart of Mine – Isley Brothers
“This old heart of mine is weak for you.”
Chapter 12 – A Night on the Town
“I was surrounded by jerks. I’m not kidding.” and “What a phony.”
Horowitz and the ducks – again A trip to Ernie’s Several observations related to social
interactions and sex And speaking of phonies … we meet Lillian
Simmons
Song – The “In” Crowd – Ramsey Lewis
An instrumental that captures the mood that might be at Ernies. Also, the title shows the irony of Holden being an outsider no matter where he goes.
Chapter 13 – Wishes and Regrets
“It was against my principles and all but I was feeling so depressed I didn’t even think.”
Holden puts on his red hunting hat for the long walk back to the hotel
Question – when does Holden usually wear his red hat?
Holden reflects on his personal shortcomings when he loses his gloves
Holden has an encounter with a prostitute
Song – Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters
“Now I’m a Man!
Chapter 14 – Rough End to a Rough Day
Holden has a conversation with Allie Holden reflects on religion Maurice and Sunny come to collect
monies owed to them Holden fantasizes about death and
suicideSong – Raindrops Keep Fallin on
My Head – BJ Thomas“…the blues they seem to greet
me”
Chapter 15 – Singing the Blues
“I used to think she was quite intelligent, in my stupidity.”
We meet Sally Hayes We get information about Holden’s parents Holden reflects on Dick Slagle Holden has breakfast with the nuns Money makes you sad
Song – Learnin the Blues – Frank Sinatra
The title ties in with the last line of the chapter. “Now your learnin the blues.”
Chapter 16 – A Trip Down Memory Lane
“Little Shirley Beans” and Phoebe The voice in your head v. actors Holden helps a young child out Holden reflects on his childhood
trip to the museum Question - Why do things have to
change?Song – Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills,
Nash, and Young
“become yourself because the past is just a goodbye”
Chapter 17 – Guys I Love to Hate
Holden reflects on “guys” that women like and he hates
We meet Sally Hayes We get more insight into what is
bothering Holden Holden asks Sally to run away with himSong – Some Guys Have All the Luck – Rod
Stewart
“some guys all the luck, some guys have all the pain, some guys get all the breaks, some guys do nothing but complain.”
Chapter 18 – Why Women Like Jerks but They Don’t Like Me
Holden again reflects on why women go out with men who are jerks
Holden makes plans to see his old advisor Carl Luce
Holden spends time alone and reflects on children, literature, and war.
Song – War – Edwin StarrThis is an anti-war song which fits in
with the last part of the chapter. Holden makes some very clear statements on war.
Chapter 19 – Let’s Talk About Sex (and how little I know)
Holden meets with his advisor from the Whooton School, Carl Luce.
We see Holden’s immaturity and his desire to learn more about intimacy
Song – Let’s Talk About Sex – TLC“Let’s talk about all the good
things, all the bad things that may be.”
Chapter 20 – I’m Falling and I Can’t Stop
Holden gets drunk We see the beginning of Holden’s
emotional breakdown Holden reflects on Allie’s funeral Holden decides to go see his sister
PhoebeSong – My World is Empty
Without You Babe – The Supremes
“And as I go my way alone, I find it hard to carry on”
Chapter 21 – Holden Gets Outed
Holden sneaks back home to see Phoebe
Phoebe figures out that Holden has been kicked out of school
Song – Why Should I Care – Diana Krall
The sad melody and the woman singing about not caring about something she lost in some ways parallels Holden’s situation.
Chapter 22 – Confronted!
Holden tells Phoebe about another plan he has devised to deal with getting kicked out of school
Phoebe confronts Holden on his unwillingness to care about anything
Holden brings up Allie again Holden reflects on the suicide of one his
former classmates, James Castle Holden tells his dream of being the
catcher in the rye to PhoebeSong – Back to Life – Soul to Soul
“Back to life, back to reality… back to the here and now” Phoebe is the first person to confront Holden with no BS.
Chapter 23 – Farewell to the Red Hunting Hat
Holden and Phoebe dance Phoebe has a new trick Holden’s parents come home Phoebe gives Holden her
Christmas money because he is broke
Before Holden leaves for Mr. Antolini’s house he gives Phoebe his red hunting hat
Song – My Girl – The Temptations
“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day”
Chapter 24 – Sweatin it Out
Holden goes to see his old teacher Mr. Antolini
Many subjects are discussed – Holden’s oral comm class Sally Hayes Jane Gallagher Holden is headed for a fall
Mr. Antolini – Flit or not a flitSong – Vida la Viva – Coldplay
“… sweep the streets I used to own.” Holden will recall the good times and how far he has fallen.
Chapter 25 – The Final Breakdown
Holden spends he night in the bus station He begins to breakdown after thinking about
James Castle He reflects on adventures with Phoebe He has a panic attack and starts to talk to Allie Holden decides to see Phoebe one last time before
he heads out West Something bad written on a school wall Phoebe meets with Holden and wants to go with
him A carrousel ride makes Holden start to cry
Song – Tubular Bells – The Exorcist
It has the bells that a carrousel would have and then goes out of control, similar to Holden at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 26 - Greetings from California
The reader is returned to Holden where he began telling the story
DB has visited him Question - Has Holden grown from
this experience in your opinion?Song – The Best is Yet to Come –
Tony Bennett/Diana KrallHolden looks to the future and a
return to school and New York.