We had a quiz on J.D Salinger today.We then talked about chapter 1
Summary: Chapter 1
Holden Caulfield writes his story from a rest home to which he has been sent for therapy. He refuses to talk
about his early life, mentioning only that his brother D. B. is a Hollywood writer. He hints that he is bitter
because D. B. has sold out to Hollywood, forsaking a career in serious literature for the wealth and fame of the
movies. He then begins to tell the story of his breakdown, beginning with his departure from Pencey Prep, a
famous school he attended in Agerstown, Pennsylvania.
Holden’s career at Pencey Prep has been marred by his refusal to apply himself, and after failing four of his
five subjects—he passed only English—he has been forbidden to return to the school after the fall term. The
Saturday before Christmas vacation begins, Holden stands on Thomsen Hill overlooking the football field,
where Pencey plays its annual grudge match against Saxon Hall. Holden has no interest in the game and
hadn’t planned to watch it at all. He is the manager of the school’s fencing team and is supposed to be in New
York for a meet, but he lost the team’s equipment on the subway, forcing everyone to return early.
Holden is full of contempt for the prep school, but he looks for a way to “say goodbye” to it. He fondly
remembers throwing a football with friends even after it grew dark outside. Holden walks away from the
game to go say goodbye to Mr. Spencer, a former history teacher who is very old and ill with the flu. He sprints
to Spencer’s house, but since he is a heavy smoker, he has to stop to catch his breath at the main gate. At the
door, Spencer’s wife greets Holden warmly, and he goes in to see his teacher.
HOMEWORK:
-Read chapter2
-Finish chapter 1 questions 1-10
