Think you’ve got your head wrapped around The Catcher in the Rye? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. What is Holden's attitude about his sister?
He hates her.
He thinks she's annoying.
He finds she's phony like everyone else.
He respects her.
Q. Why does Phoebe decide she's going to run away with Holden?
She's sick of her parents.
She wants to make money in Vegas.
She knows her brother needs someone to take care of him.
She's creepily in love with her big brother.
Q. What did Allie Caulfield die of?
an atomic bomb blast
Who's Allie Caulfield?
brain cancer
leukemia
Q. How does Holden's attitude about Allie compare with his attitude about the world at large?
He thinks Allie is the bee's knees while the rest of the world just sucks.
He thinks the world is great, but Allie? Not so much.
He thinks Allie is just like the world at large: a great disappointment.
There is no difference.
Q. When Holden feels like he's disappearing, why does he call on Allie?
He doesn't want to disappear.
He wants Allie to be waiting for him on the other side.
He wants Allie to save him; he's like a ghostly security blanket.
He can't call on Allie; Allie is dead. Quit trying to trick, us Shmoop.