Catcher In The Rye Chapters 4-7

Chapter 4 Stradlater asks Holden to write an essay for him as he has a date Holden knows the girl – Jane Gallagher We find out they were neighbours /friends the previous summer Holden reminiscences but won’t go down and say ‘hi’ Tells us he feels nervous – ref to hat pg 29 Ackley comes in, Holden tells us he is glad Why?

Chapter 5 Holden writes Stradlater’s essay We learn about the death of his brother Allie How can we see Holden in a different light at this point? Caring Deeply affected by his brother’s death Not being sarcastic / caustic How does he respond to Allie’s death? Pg 34 Returns to type when discussing Ackley at end of chapter

Chapter 6 Stradlater returns Is unhappy with essay – Holden rips it up Gets into fight over Jane What is this behaviour showing us about Holden? Cares more than he shows Probably upset from thinking about Allie Definitely worried over Jane’s honour and innocence Wants to protect Jane

Chapter 6 Pg 40 puts on hat after fight Why? Symbol of how he feels Rebellious Makes him feel more confident Contradiction between maturity and childlike qualities Goes to visit Ackley - who he has just been telling us all his faults – Why? Suggest Ackley closes person to a friend he has Hoping for support / sympathy

Chapter 7 Tries to engage Ackley in conversation Refuses to tell him what the fight was about Worries over events between Stradlater and Jane Decides to leave Why? Doesn’t want to deal with emotions regarding Jane and Stradlater ‘my nerves were shot.’/ being expelled

Chapter 7 Think about how Holden behaves as he leaves Is this the mature or childlike Holden? Why does he do this? Bravado? No real friends to say goodbye to? Genuinely doesn’t care? To hide his real emotion?

Chapter 7 Ref to hat pg 46 Why? What do you think it gives him? Confidence? Bravery? A symbol of defiance against authority / phonies? Anything else?