Holden Caulfield tells his story from a rest home where he has been staying
ever since he had his nervous breakdown. The reader immediately senses his
rebellious nature when he says that he will not tell about his "lousy" childhood
and "all that David Copperfield kind of crap". Instead he describes his parents
as -- they are nice, but "touchy as hell." He also mentions his brother, D.B.,
who is working in Hollywood as a writer. He doesn't respect him because he
feels that his brother sold himself short for the sake of earning more money.
He feels that he is too talented for the type of work that he is doing.
Holden begins talking about himself from the time that he was expelled from
Pencey Prep, a school he attended in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. It was the last
Saturday at school, the time of the football game with Saxon Hall.
Holden, is not attending the game because he had just returned from New York
from a fencing match and realized that he had accidentally left the foils
on the subway. The fencing team was angry at Holden because he had been in
charge and had been careless.
Before he leaves school, Holden goes to say good-bye to Mr. Spencer, his
history teacher. He knows that Holden has been expelled and tries to give
him some advice.
Review:
The story is told in the first person by Holden Caulfield who recounts the
events that led up to his present condition. His manner of speaking is consistent
with his age and adolescent mentality.
From the way Holden speaks, the reader assumes that there is something wrong
with him but Holden never reveals what it is. Holden talks about "phoniness"
around him and how the dishonesty of the adult world disturbs him. He also
mentions the problem of materialism and his contempt for his brother who in
his pursuit of money is being untrue to himself and to his ideals.
Chapter Two:
At Mr. Spencer's house, he finds that his teacher is in a sickly condition but
still willing to see him and speak with him. The teacher tries to explain to
Holden why he failed the course and points out the flaws in his final essay.
Holden looses interest in the conversation, excuses himself by making up a story
about needing to get his gym equipment, and leaves. On the way out his teacher
yells "Good luck!" which offends him. "I'd never yell [that]
at anybody. It sounds terrible.."
Review:
This chapter continues to clarify Holden's problems. He visits his teacher,
Mr. Spencer to say good-bye to him. Even though he failed his course, he respects
him and want's to leave on good terms.
Chapter Three:
Holden is in his room in Ossenburger Hall, reading a book while wearing his
new hunting hat. He is interrupted by Adkley, a boy who rooms next door.
Ackley does not have many friends and makes a nuisance of himself until Holden's
roommate, Stradlater comes. Ackley hates him and quickly leaves.
Review:
Holden introduces some of his peers at Pencey, as he perceives them. Ackley
is depicted as being weird and nasty and Stradlater as the good-looking, conceited
"jockey." Even though he doesn't seem to like either of the two
boys, Holden doesn't reject them.
Chapter Four:
Stradlater tells Holden that he has a date with Jane Gallagher, a girl Holden
knows and likes. This upsets him as he was concerned that Stradlater would
take advantage of her. He asks Stradlater to give her his regards and not
to tell him that he was kicked out of school. He lets Stradlater wear his
hound's-tooth jacket and half promises him to write an essay for him.
Review:
This chapter further establishes Holden's personality. He admits to being
a liar and loving fantasy. In his favor however, he also exhibits a certain
amount of kindness towards others. He lends Stradlater his jacket, agrees
to write an essay for him, and shows concern about Jane at being alone with
Stradlater.
Chapter Five:
Since it was Saturday, the meal that was always served was steak. It wasn't
very appetizing and everyone was glad when it was over. Afterwards Holden
decided to go with Ackley and Mal Brossard to Agerstown to see a movie. When
they get there, they change their mind and just hang around a bit.
When they get back to Pencey, Mal goes to play bridge and Ackley stays with
Holden in his room. He finally leaves when Holden begins to work on the assignment
for Stradlater.
Holden decides to write a descriptive essay about a baseball glove that his
brother Allie used to copy poems onto. Allie who was two years younger had
died of leukemia several years before
and this incident had a profound effect on Holden.
Review:
Holden's description of Allie and how he felt when he died, gives the reader
some insight as to the extent of Holden's loss. The chapter also reveals how
his parents were unable to understand the deep loss that he experienced and
were more concerned with the fact that he could not control his rage about
his brother dying, and that he broke the windows in the garage.
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