1. Catcher In The Rye
Chapters

2. Chapter 8 Train Journey Conversation with Mrs Morrow Lies Smokes
Invites for cocktail
What does this interaction tell us about Holden?
Trying to be sophisticated / older / acting adult
Contradiction with his opinion on ‘phonies’

3. Chapter 9 Wants to phone ‘someone’ Who?
D, Phoebe, Jane, Sally Hayes, Carl Luce
Tries to engage taxi driver in conversation
Reference to ducks in Central Park
Checks into hotel – ref to hat
What does Holden see out of his window?
Man dressing up
Couple spurting water at each other
Sexual connotations

4. Chapter 9 What does this tell us about his character?
Not yet an adult for all his attempts at sophistication
Has set ideas of how one ‘should’ behave with a woman
What does Holden tell us he feels about sex? Pg 56
Thinks about phoning Jane again
Instead phone burlesque stripper and invites her for a drink
Feels very depressed when she turns him down

5. Chapter 10
Wants to call Phoebe – we learn about her love of movies and that she’s smart
Goes to The Lavender rooms – nightclub in hotel
Asks for a scotch but is refused
Tries to engage three girls at next table in conversation and dances with them
What response does he get?
How does this make him feel?
We again see a contradiction between Holden’s thoughts and what he says

6. Characterisation What have we learnt about Holden from these chapters?
Desperate to connect with someone
Lonely
Not as sophisticated as he thinks he is
Think about all the characters he has tried to engage in conversation
Have any of them been successful?
Has he succeeded in making himself feel better?