Show two ways in which the incident with Maurice and the prostitute demonstratethe theme of mans inhumanity to man (an aspect of the world of experience). One incident (which involves the prostitute) is when Holden didnt want tohave sex with her but instead wanted to chat, she responded by saying, “Whatthe heck ya wanna talk about?” This just shows that talking isnt what sheis used to doing, even if she is getting paid for it. She is probably used tothe lascivious male who is only looking to satisfy his needs. Another incidentis when Maurice and Sunny enter Holdens room asking for more money. You cantell that they arent used to manners and doing things in a civilized way. Shecomes in and sits on the window sill, Maurice sits down in the big chair.
“They acted like they owned the damn place”. CHAPTER 15 1. What is thesignificance of presenting the episode of nuns at this point in the novel? Ithink the purpose was to show a more positive, religious and faithful HoldenCaulfield. The fact that he gives them money and wishes that he couldve giventhem more just shows that he is a nice person, who does have morals (even thoughhe did ask for a prostitute). Its sort of like a break of light in the novel,he still acts “fake” to them, but he realizes that he shouldnt have andhe ends up regretting this.
CHAPTER 16 1. Why does Holden like the Museum ofNatural History? Give at least three reasons. Holden likes the Museum of NaturalHistory because: 1) It brings back memories of when Phoebe and him were in thesame school and they used to go together. – He adores his sister Phoebe. 2) Alot of his childhood was spent in this museum, he loves the memories of watchingthe movie in the big auditorium and the way it used to smell, small stuff thatis really significant to him.
3) He also loved the fact that nothing moved andthat it always stayed the same. I think that this is important to him because hewished the same could be done for him. He wishes that he can be a kid foreverand that he could always stay the same. I dont think that he is ready to facethe world.
CHAPTER 17 1. Why does Holden get angry with Sally Hayes? Holden getsangry with Sally Hayes because she does not want to go away to Massachusetts andVermont with him. She thinks that they are just children. Holden hates thatSally wont just take risks and live life on the edge. Sally is realistic andthinks about what will happen in the future and the hardships that they willhave to go through.
CHAPTER 18 & 19 1. Luce is a typical member of thesociety failing Holden. In what ways does Luce fail Holden? Luce is focused,intelligent and sophisticated. He doesnt like joking around, he knows that hehas to grow up and he has done just that.
I think that Holden hates this becausehe wants to stay a kid and to see people like Luce doing things for themselves,being serious and doing things with themselves makes him upset. Holden knowsthat he should look up to Luce and do something with his life but somehow hestill wants to be a kid inside, he is probably afraid of facing the future andwhat he knows is the real world. CHAPTER 20 1. Explain the significance ofHoldens drunken state.
What does the reader learn about Holden? I think thatthe significance of Holdens drunken state is to show that he really isimmature and he really does long to remain a kid. Getting drunk is somewhat of achildish activity. Real “mature” people can usually handle the alcohol andthey know when to not past their limit. I think Holden enjoys this drunken statebecause it is somewhat of an excuse for him. He can act like he has a bullet inhis guts because he is drunk and when you are drunk you are sort of “inanother world”.
The reader learns that Holden is really immature, he doesntwant to grow up and he is trying as hard as he can to stop this process. This iswhy he makes fun of people who are sophisticated and have done things withthemselves (he knows that he cant get there himself). CHAPTER 21 1. Explainthe significance of Phoebes choice of middle name- “Weatherfield” Thesignificance of this is that she changes just like the weather.
One day shewants one thing and the next day she wants something else. “Every time I seeher shes got a new middle name for herself. ” CHAPTER 22 1. What happened toJames Castle? How does Holden feel about this? James Castle was a boy who jumpedout of the window and killed himself at Elkton Hills. Some guys wouldnt leavehim alone because he wouldnt take back something that he said about thisreally conceited boy at the same school. I think that even though Holdendidnt know him too well he still feels for him.
It probably reminds him ofhis deceased brother Allie. 2. What does Holden want to be? Holden wants to bethe catcher in the rye. Holden wants to catch all the children if they go overthe cliff. “If they are running and they dont look where theyre going Ihave to come out from somewhere and catch them. ” CHAPTER 23 & 24 1.
Whatadvice does Mr. Antolini give Holden? Explain in your own words. Mr. Antolinitells Holden that you have to try in order to succeed. I think what Mr.
Antoliniwrote on the paper sums up the message he is trying to get across to Holden,”The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, whilethe mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one. ” This tome basically means that if you are immature, child-like and give up oneverything you will end up dying and not end up going anywhere in life. On theother hand if you get your mind on the right track and you actually try then youwill have the power to live and seek life to its fullest. I think that becauseHolden is not “there” morally and spiritually he does not see the way of the”mature man”.
2. Why does Holden leave Mr. Antolinis house? Did heoverreact or was he justified in his suspicions? I think that Holden wasjustified in his suspicions. I know that if I were in the same position andsomebody starting patting my head in the dark while I was trying to sleep, Iwouldnt even bother with a phony explanation. I would simply get up andleave.
Its obviously unusual behaviour and it shouldnt happen. Imagine ifHolden didnt wake up and something else happened. The way I see it is, itsbetter to be safe than sorry. CHAPTERS 25 & 26 1.
Explain the significanceof the graffiti in the museum and Holdens reaction to it. I think that themuseum signifies a place of innocence and peace for Holden. Its a child-likeplace where kids learn about and discover the world around them. I think seeingthe words “*censored* you” had a great impact on Holden because these wordsare a sign of corruption, in some way they make the child grow up faster thanthey have to and Holden doesnt like that. Hed rather kids stay kids for aslong as they have to.
That is what Holden is trying to do but it obviouslydoesnt work that way. 2. How does Phoebe save Holden? List at least threeways she saves him. Phoebe saves Holden by: 1) I think by seeing the way thatPhoebe wanted to come with Holden, he realized that what he is doing isridiculous. If Phoebe looks ridiculous in this situation then its obviousthat Holden does too. 2) I think that by Phoebe refusing to stop crying and walkwith him made him realize that he too is being stubborn and that things cantalways work out the way people want them too.
3) I think with Phoebe goingthrough the whole process of being mad at Holden and then talking to him onceagain, made Holden realize that he might have been mad at the world, but seeingPhoebe in this state of innocence made him realize that all things come to anend and that he cant stay mad at the world forever. I think that the worldcan be seen as an innocent child. If you corrupt it then you end up living anightmare. You must live with all the problems and consequences of thiscorruption.
