1. Catcher in the Rye Chapters 15 - 16

2. Chapter 15 Why does Holden decide to invite Sally on a date? What do we learn about his family? What does this reveal about Holden’s behaviour?

3. Chapter 15 What do we learn about Holden from his conversation with the nuns? What impression are we left with following this conversation?

4. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 gives us lots to think about with regard to the theme of innocence and growing up His reflection on his family doing charity work The ‘Little Shirley Bean’ record His experiences with children The museum

5. Chapter 16 We know Holden hates ‘phonies’. Estelle’s version of the record is not cheesy or ‘mushy’ just because it’s a kids record, it is more real It embodies what Holden sees as being wrong with the adult world: this girl is embarrassed to go out because she doesn’t conform to some adult version of physical perfection This is Holden's belief and fear: that the innocence and beauty of childhood is spoiled by the adult world

6. Chapter 16 ‘If a body catch a body, coming through the rye.’ What effect does this song / encounter have on Holden? At this point we only know that it makes Holden feel ‘not so depressed’ He enjoys seeing the kid happy and singing a song that he likes The real meaning of the song and the irony of his feelings about it will be discussed at Chapter 22 http://allpoetry.com/poem/8439179- Comin_Thro_The_Rye-by-Robert_Burns

7. Chapter 16 What effect does the Museum of Natural History have on Holden? What do you think the significance of this is? Holden’s love of the museum centres around the fact that it stays the same. But he makes the point that every time a person goes they will be different. Find examples of Holden's suggestions of how you may be different Note that he is not talking about getting older He is talking about the changes one goes through in order to become an adult – the things you notice are examples of mental growth

8. Chapter 16 What has Holden revealed to us in these last two chapters? Think about: Friendship, Family and his mood What do we learn about Holden’s attitude: Towards adults? Regarding money? From his thoughts on the conversation he had with the nuns?

9. Chapter 16 Holden is showing us that although he longs to be an adult, (through his behaviour at the Edmont Hotel and the Lavender Rooms,) free of the pressure and strains from the authority adults have over children, he despises the superficiality that he sees as the adult world This is partly what is creating Holden’s issues Holden needs to let go of the grief and guilt he feels over Allies death Salinger suggests that this is what destroyed Holden’s belief in childhood and what it should represent