The Catcher in the Rye

1
The Catcher in the Rye

• Pages 46-66

2
Loneliness and Depression

• I felt so lonesome, all of a sudden. I almost
  wished I was dead. (48)
• Boy, did I feel rotten. I felt so damn
  lonesome. (48)
• It was even depressing out in the street. You
  couldnt even hear any cars any more. I got
  feeling so lonesome and rotten, I even felt like
  waking Ackley up. (50)

3
Loneliness and Depression

• Everybody was asleep or out or home for the week
  end, and it was very, very quiet and depressing
  in the corridor. (49)
• It made me too sad and lonesome. (49)

4
Loneliness and Depression

• Almost every time somebody gives me a present,
  it ends up making me sad. (52)
• Self esteem issues?
• Not worthy of a gift?

5
Loneliness and Depression

• I was sort of crying. (52)
• How can you be sort of crying?

6
Loneliness and Depression

• Predictions
• Suicide?
• Every time I thought about it (Jane and
  Stradlaters date), I felt like jumping out the
  window. (48)

7
Holdens Mother

• My mother gets very hysterical. Shes not too
  bad after she gets something thoroughly digested,
  though. (49)

8
Holdens Mother

• Ice Skates
• Pages 51-52
• Why does Holden have this reaction?
• Feels guilty?
• Disappoints his mother?

9
Holdens Mother

• Mothers are all slightly insane. (55)
• You take somebodys mother, all they want to
  hear about is what a hot-shot their son is. (56)
• Mothers arent too sharp about that stuff.
  (57)
• Stuffknowing who their sons really are

10
Holdens Nerves

• Besides, I sort of needed a little vacation. My
  nerves were shot. They really were. (51)
• What does Holden mean?
• Worn out?
• Frazzled?
• Exhausted?

11
Holdens Hat

• My ears were nice and warm, though. That hat I
  bought had earlaps in it, and I put them onI
  didnt give a damn how I looked. (53)
• Holdens hat keeps him warm
• Gives him security

12
The Phone Booth

• Holden spends twenty minutes in the phone booth
  trying to make a decision.
• Ends up not calling anyone.

13
The Cab Driver

• Holden asks the cab driver if he knows what
  happens to the ducks in the winter.
• He turned around and looked at me like I was a
  madman. Whatre ya tryna do, bud? he said. Kid
  me? (60)

14
What Does the Reaction Say About the Question?

• Not many people think about the ducks?
• It is an odd question?
• Holden is playing a joke?
• It is not a normal thought?
• What is important to Holden is not important to
  other people?

15
The Hotel

• Odd activities going in the rooms.
• Holden considers the other people to be perverts
• I was probably the only normal bastard in the
  whole placeand that isnt saying much. (63)
• What does this say about Holdens opinion of
  himself?