Chapter 24
1) “’The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.’”
Question to Discuss: What are the key idea in this quotation? What’s the point of this message to Holden?
2) When Holden stays at Mr. Antolini’s, he wakes up to find Mr. Antolini petting his head.
Question to Discuss: What was your immediate reaction to this? Did you, like Holden, think he was being “perverty,” or did you just think he was being nice and protective? Why? Did your reaction change at all a page later when Holden say, “That kind of stuff’s happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid?”
Chapters 25--26
Respond to the following questions:
1) Trace the evolution of Holden's reaction to the "F---- You"s that he notices, and comment on how this helps him gain an understanding of the human condition.
2) Interpret, thematically, what "Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie, don't let me disappear" means.
3) What made Holden rethink his ambition to run away out west?
4) Relate, thematically, the significance of the carousel to Holden's subtle epiphany about his future?
5) Why does Holden "feel so damn happy all of a sudden" (213) while watching Phoebe on the carousel?
After we read the last bit of the novel, let's discuss a final final question or two. Pick your favorites