The Catcher in the Rye
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE J D SALINGER At what point does the reader realise Holden is seriously depressed? Do Holden's encounters with adult hypocrisy ring true to you? Or are they more a reflection of his own deteriorating mental stability? Or both? Do you find the characters likeable? Would you want to meet the characters? Holden seems to be reaching out for genuine intimacy in his encounters. Is he himself capable of intimacy? Are any of the other characters capable of providing it? In fact, what is intimacy—sexual and/or non-sexual? What is the role of women in the text? Is love relevant? Are relationships meaningful? What role does Phoebe play in the novel? Why (and how) does Holden’s relationship with her affect his decisions, his philosophy of life, and his actions? Where in the novel is the title mentioned and why is it important—especially the fact that Holden gets Robert Burns's poem wrong? Discuss Holden's observati
