Here are the answers to the questions on your worksheet for Chapter 1 of *The Catcher in the Rye*.
Comprehension
1. Where is Holden when he is narrating this story? Who is the “you” to whom he is talking?
Holden is currently staying in a mental institution or a rest home in California (he mentions being near Hollywood). The "you" he is talking to is the reader, but he imagines them as someone who knows him personally, like a friend or perhaps a therapist/doctor listening to his life story.
2. How does Holden feel about his brother D.B.? What does Holden mean when he says D.B. is prostituting himself in Hollywood?
Holden feels disappointed and annoyed with D.B. He used to admire D.B. as a great writer, but now he thinks D.B. has "sold out." When Holden says D.B. is "prostituting himself," he means that D.B. is writing silly scripts for movies just to make money, rather than writing serious, honest literature like he used to. To Holden, this is like selling his soul for cash.
3. What is Holden’s situation at the beginning of the story he is telling?
At the beginning of the story (which takes place the previous December), Holden has just been expelled from Pencey Prep school. He failed four out of five subjects and was told not to return after Christmas break. He is leaving school early, before the term officially ends.
4. What assumptions does Holden make about the person to whom he is addressing his story? How does Holden address those expectations? What can you infer about Holden and his relationship to his audience?
Holden assumes the listener probably wants to know boring details like where he was born, what his childhood was like, and all that "David Copperfield kind of crap." He addresses this by refusing to give those details, saying he doesn't feel like talking about them. This shows that Holden is cynical, hates following social rules, and wants to control how his story is told. He doesn't trust people to understand him unless he explains things his own way.
Reader Response
*(Note: These answers are based on personal opinion, so yours may vary. Here are common responses to help guide you.)*
1. How do you feel about the way Salinger has his narrator Holden address his readers in the first paragraph?
*Sample Answer:* It feels very direct and informal. It makes it seem like Holden is sitting right next to me, talking casually. It grabs attention because he immediately tells us what he *won't* talk about, which makes me curious about what he *will* say. It sets a tone that he is going to be honest and maybe a little bit rude.
2. Do you like or dislike Holden so far?
*Sample Answer:* I find him interesting but a bit annoying. I like that he is honest and doesn't try to be fake. However, I dislike that he judges his brother so harshly and seems angry at the world already. He seems lonely, which makes me want to hear more of his story to understand why he is so upset.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of catcher in the rye worksheet.
