The Catcher in the Rye

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. A symbol is an object or event that holds a metaphorical meaning.

• What does Holden's red hunting hat mean to Holden in the beginning of the novel? (topic sentence)
• Give at least 3 examples of moments Holden wears the hunting hat, or gives it away, and what those moments represent for Holden.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Holden's hunting hat supports the theme Coming of Age as Losing Innocence, Post Traumatic Stress, or Lack of Authenticity in Adult Society.

2. Holden's grief is an unspoken issue hanging over much of what happens in the novel.

• When do we first learn of Holden's grief, and how does he handle it? (topic sentence)
• Provide at least 3 examples of moments that Holden grapples with his grief and explain why Holden struggles to get past it.