The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye Summary | Chapter 1 Summary

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is told in the first person by the main character, Holden Caulfield. Holden starts by saying that he will not be telling a story about his childhood and divulging personal information about his parents. He says his parents are nice, but "touchy" and would not like him talking about them. Instead, he will only talk about the events that happened last Christmas. Those events led to him being sent to the unnamed place he is now. He says that is run-down and is relaxing. Furthermore, he claims he hasn't even told his brother, D.B., every thing that has happened to him. D.B. is a writer in Hollywood. He once wrote a book of short stories that Holden thinks is great. Now D.B. is making a lot of money writing for the movies, which is a profession Holden compares to prostitution.

Holden says he only wants start this story on the day he left Pencey Prep. Holden has little respect for the Pennsylvania boarding school for boys. He scoffs at the advertising the school uses, which features a young man on a horse. Holden says has never seen a horse anywhere on school grounds. He starts his story at a Saturday football game with Saxon Hall. It is the game of the year and the stands are packed on the Pencey side. Holden watches the game from a distance. He dislikes everything about Pencey. He especially doesn't like the rule that allows only seniors to bring girls to the football games. The headmaster's daughter, Selma Thurmer, is in the stands. Holden doesn't think she is very pretty, but she is nice. He remembers a conversation they once had on a bus. He was impressed that she didn't brag about her father's position at the school. Holden now stands on a hill, still watching the game from a distance. He has just returned from New York with the fencing team. He is the manager of the team. That morning the team had gone to the city for a meet, but it had to be cancelled because Holden left all of the team's equipment on the subway. The players did not talk to him all of the way home on the train, but Holden thinks the whole thing was funny.

He says he also chose not to go to the game because he wants to say goodbye to his history teacher, Mr. Spencer. Christmas break is coming up and Holden knows he will not be returning to school. He has been kicked out for failing. Holden runs to the main gate and feels quite winded. He claims he was a heavy smoker before he was forced to quit. He reverts to the present and says he is in a place (which he still does not name) for checkups because he almost got T.B. He says he is now healthy. He resumes his story, picking up on the day he went to see Mr. Spencer. Mrs. Spencer warmly welcomes in and lets him in. She tells him that Mr. Spencer is in his room.