Summary Of The Catcher In The Rye

The book is set in the 1950 's and starts with the main character, Holden Caulfield, narrating the story while being in a mental or sanatarium of an unspecified location. Holden is overlooking a sporting event on a nearby hill in first sentence. At this time, Holden is sixteen years old and has already failed out of three schools. He is currently attending Pencey Prep school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. At Pencey Holden has failed four out of five classes and is once again being expelled from this school. Holden decides that he has watched enough of the game and leaves to visit his history teacher Spencer, that he rather fond of one last time. Upon arriving, Spencer begins scalding Holden on his poor acedemic performance and irritated at this, Holden leaves to go to his dorm. Once arriving at his dorm Holden learns that his roomate, Stradlater, is going to spend the evening with Jane Galllagher, and women that Holden has dated and still cares a good bit for. When Stradlater arrives, Holden immediatly questions him about his night and asks …show more content…
After sharing a few drinks, Holden starts making remarks toawrds remarks Carl 's chinese girlfriend. Quickly coming up with an excuse to leave, the irritated Carl Luce leaves Holden to himself who stays to drink and listen to music. Now drunk, Holden snekas into his apartment and wakes his sister, Pheobe. Phoebe makes Holden tell her that he has once again been expelled, but Holden attempts to defend himslef with reasons he hates school and he tells Pheobe of his dream to be the catcher in the rye, a man who catches children before they fall off of a cliff. Holden then calls his old englsih teacher, Mr. Antolini, who invites Holden to come to his apartment. Holden, unable to hide his exhaustion, sleeps on Anolini 's couch. Waking up to Antolini stroking Holden 's forehead, Holden quick;y leaves and goes to sleep on a bench in Grand Central