Catcher in the Rye Chapters 6-10 Reflection & Analysis

1. Character Analysis: Give two examples of Holden’s child-like qualities. Cite them with evidence from the text.

Give two examples of Holden’s adult-like qualities. Cite them with evidence from the text.

2. Theme Reflection: One of the themes of this novel will be Holden’s reluctance to leave the innocence of
childhood for the reality of the adult world. Do you think becoming an adult requires a loss of innocence? Does
being an adult require a certain amount of phoniness?

3. Symbolism: What do the ice skates in Ch. 7 make Holden sad? Symbolically, what might they represent?
Symbolically, what might winter represent to Holden? Why does he inquire about the ducks and the birds?
Ice Skates:
Winter/Birds/Ducks:

4. Analysis: Choose one “golden line” or important quote from Ch. 6-10. Write the quote in the column on the left
and then analyze the quote in the right column. Analysis should include considerations about why the quote
matters to the novel as a whole, how it reveals theme or develops character, how it challenges or changes other
ideas in the text, how the author’s choices have a direct impact on the meaning, etc.
Quote (summarized, with page number) Analysis (in complete sentences, at least 5):

5. Reflection: After my reading of Ch. 6-10, I am left with the following two questions (these can be clarification or
discussion). Be sure to provide an explanation of why you have this question.
Question #1:
Question #2:

6. Provide an exactly 25-word summary of Ch. 6-10: