The Catcher in the Rye Chapters 1-4

The narrator of the story, Holden Caulfield, begins by relating the events of the previous December, just prior to the Christmas break from school. Holden speaks to us from a mental health facility somewhere in Southern California, although his reason for being there is not explained. He mentions that his older brother, D.B., works in Hollywood, and visits Holden often. We can thus assume that Holden has been at this facility for some time.   

As recalled, on the Saturday of note from last December, Holden is pending expulsion from his private school, Pencey Prep. This is due to his academic failure, but is also possibly in part to his carelessness, which caused him to lose all of the equipment belonging to the fencing team. His last day is to be Wednesday, and his parents are unaware of his expulsion. Holden goes to the home of one of his teachers, Mr. Spencer, in order to tell him goodbye.  

The farewell visit annoys Holden, and Mr. Spencer takes the opportunity to lecture Holden at length, in addition to general rambling. Holden becomes both bored and irritated, and his mind wanders. His opinion of Mr. Spencer nosedives, as he decides that Mr. Spencer is exhibiting all of the signs of being “old.” Holden does note his own quirky traits, even admitting that he is childish and immature at times, but Mr. Spencer’s words have gotten under Holden’s skin. He makes a phony excuse to leave, and is glad when he escapes.  

Holden returns to his dorm room, located in the Ossenburger Memorial Wing of the dorm complex, but is again irritated and annoyed by a dorm neighbor (who shares a shower room, thus providing access to Holden’s room), Robert Ackley. Ackley’s mere presence is annoying to Holden. 

Mr. Ossenburger (who the wing was named after) is a mortuary magnate. He once spoke at a school function, and Holden found the man to be a source of mockery, finding his speech insincere and shallow. However, to Holden’s joy, the speech is cut short by a fabulously well-timed—and loud—fart produced by Holden’s classmate, Edgar Marsalla.  

Later, Holden’s roommate, Ward Stradlater, arrives. Stradlater asks to borrow a jacket from Holden, as he has a date that he’d like to impress. Stradlater also asks Holden to write a term paper for him, another annoyance to Holden. Still, Holden agrees to do so. He is then alarmed to learn that Stradlater, who has a reputation of being a womanizer, is going on a date with one of Holden’s dear friends, a sweet and innocent girl by the name of Jane Gallagher. This bothers Holden, who now is happy for Ackley’s company, as his presence distracts him from the date his roommate and his friend are on.  

Analysis: 

The tone of the book is set here. The language and style of speaking by the narrator is  immediately established, as that of a youthful, somewhat rebellious, typically confused teenager. We get a lot of his background, as well, in addition to his adolescent perspective on his background. For example, he sees his father’s job as a lawyer as being little more than a facade for socializing, relaxing, and indulging in various forms of recreation all day long.  

We learn that Holden comes from a well-to-do family, and while he is sent to expensive private schools, he seems to hold little respect for them, Pencey Prep in particular. It is revealed that Holden resents being lectured about his academic performance, and directs his displeasure into disliking the person who is admonishing him, a typical teenage behavior. However, we also see that Holden is compassionate about certain things, such as worrying about the ducks when the weather turns cold, or about the well-being of his friend, Jane.  

The joy derived from his classmate’s fart shows that Holden is not pretentious or snooty, but in fact, thoroughly enjoys school-boy grade scatological humor. Still, Holden is very annoyed by Ackley’s disgusting habits and annoying behaviors. Holden also judges Stradlater harshly, for things that he deems morally bereft, or hygienically lacking. Holden does have a strong moral code, but it is certainly unique to him.