The Catcher in the Rye Timeline

The Catcher in the Rye Timeline

By: Justin Markowitz

Ernie's Nightclub

New York

Things Go Bad

Holden Gets The Boot

Mr. Antolini

Going West

Sally Hayes

The Carousel

Holden gets kicked out of Pencey Prep. He goes to say goodbye to his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, and he realizes that he doesn't know what to do with himself, as this is not the first time he has been kicked out of a school. Also, he can not let his parents know he has been kicked out.

Holden decides that he better leave Pencey Prep right away. He decides to go to New York City and stay in a hotel for a couple of days. He can't go back to his apartment until Wednesday or else his parents would know that he got kicked out of school. This is also when Holden starts wearing his red hunting hat which symbolizes his independence.

After getting to his hotel, Holden decides to go to Ernie's Nightclub to get a drink. He runs into D.B.'s old girlfriend, who he has a conversation with. He thinks that the girl is really annoying.

A little while later, Sunny and Maurice show back up at Holden's room. Maurice said that Holden owes them five more dollars. When he refuses, Maurice beats him up while Sunny gets the money from his wallet. When they leave, Holden imagines that he was just shot in the gut by Maurice.

Holden goes on a date with Sally Hayes. He brings up that they could run away together and go West. When she disagrees, Holden gets very mad at her and they fight.

Holden decides that he will leave New York for good and go live out West. He goes to Phoebe's school and leaves her a note telling her to meet him at the museum. While at the school, Holden passes out in the bathroom.

Holden knows he can not sleep at his apartment without his parents seeing him, so he calls his old English teacher, Mr. Antolini. Holden goes to his apartment where Mr. Antolini gives him a long lecture. Holden ends up waking in the middle of the night with Mr. Antolini petting him in his sleep. Holden leaves right away.

After Holden and Phoebe make up in the zoo, they go to the park. At the park Holden tells Phoebe that he isn't going to leave her. Phoebe rides the carousel that Holden and his brothers and her used to ride and Holden sits there in the rain, watching.

Maurice and Sunny

Little Shirley Beans

Train Encounter

Fight With Stradlater

Sneaking In

Psychotic Breakdown

Phoebe Wants To Come

The End

When Stradlater returns from his date with Holden's childhood crush, Jane Gallagher, Holden gets into a fight with him about Jane. The fight does not end well for Holden.

Holden decides to buy the record Little Shirley Beans for his sister Phoebe. A little while later, he accidentally drops the record and it shatters. Holden becomes very upset.

In the end, Holden goes home. He then explains that he has been in therapy because he has a mental disorder. He also says that everybody keeps asking him what he thinks about his story.

When Holden gets back to the hotel, the elevator man, Maurice, offers him a prostitute. Holden accepts the offer and a little later in the night, Sunny shows up. Holden and Sunny just talk and Holden pays her what she wanted.

Holden has a conversation with Ernie Morrow's mother. Holden tells Mrs. Morrow a lot of lies about her son, just to make her feel better. After the train ride to New York City, Holden wants to call someone he knows, but he never does.

The next day, Holden starts to have a psychotic breakdown. He feels that every time he steps off of a curb, he is going to disappear.

After Holden gets drunk, he decides to go back to his apartment to see his sister. He sneaks in, making sure his parents don't wake up, and gets into Phoebe's room. Phoebe is very happy to see him and she informs him that their parents are not home.

Phoebe meets Holden at the museum with a suitcase, telling him she wants to come. When Holden says no, Phoebe gets really mad and crosses the street. Phoebe starts following Holden, and eventually they get to the zoo.

Allie's Mitt

The Red Hunting Hat

Falling

Allie's baseball mitt had sentimental value to Holden. It was his way of remembering his brother Allie.

Important Motifs

Money

The red hunting represents Holden's confidence and individuality. The hat cost $1 and when ever Holden wears it he has a sense of solitude and comfort. He ends up giving the hat to Phoebe so she could remember him if he were to leave.

This motif represents a lot. First, it represents Holden passion in life, being the catcher in the rye. Also, it could represent James Castle, Mr. Antolini's conversation with Holden, Holden being in and out of love and Holden being sick.

Holden is part of a wealthy family and most of the times money doesn't matter to him. Although, when Phoebe gives Holden her Christmas money, he does not want to spend any of it.

Ducks

Green

The ducks in this novel represent where Holden is going in life and his curiosity. The ducks could also relate to his childhood in some way.

Green is a motif in this novel because it represents different things. Allie's mitt and Sunny's dress were both green. Also, green represents calmness, luck, new beginnings and youth.