The Catcher in the Rye- questions

Comprehension Exercises

1. Read the conversation between Holden and Mr Antolini (pp. 193-8)
• What does Mr Antolini mean by ‘some kind of terrible fall’?
The ‘some kind of terrible fall’ meant that Holden was falling because he thought the world couldn’t provide what he needed, Holden needed love, but in a world full of corruption and phonies, love was non-existent.

• Is Mr Antolini able to help Holden?
Mr Antolini was unable to help Holden because Holden didn’t really listen to what Mr Antolini was saying. Mostly because he was very tired.

‘Boy, I felt so damn tired all of a sudden.’ pp. 169

• Where else in the novel does the theme of ‘falling’ occur?
The theme of ‘falling’ occurred in the part where Holden was talking to his sister, Phoebe, about what he really wanted to do. Holden wanted to be a catcher in the rye. He wanted to catch the little kids playing in the rye and stop them falling off the cliff. This symbol...