IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
Holden Caulfield
Holden is the main character of the novel. He is very lonely, and throughout the novel he keeps looking for someone to connect with, but he keeps shutting everyone out. His biggest torment is that he doesn't want to grow up. |
Phoebe Caulfield
Phoebe is Holden's younger sister, whom he loves. She is one of the only people Holden truly likes to spend time with. Phoebe is the opposite of Holden, because wants to grow up and is pretty mature. |
D.B Caulfield
D.B is Holden's older brother who is a Hollywood Screenwriter. In the book, Holden states twice that D.B was his favorite writer, but he also thinks he is the biggest phony, because he sacrificed his writing for money (he keeps saying he sold himself). |
Jane Gallagher
She is a girl Holden spent a lot of time with one summer. Holden says in the book that he really likes her. He relates all the characteristics of a good girl and how he wants his relationship with a girl to be with Jane. The truth is that he doesn't really know her, he just spent ONE summer with her, and he doesn't want to accept the fact that people change and grow up. Jane never appears in the book, she is only mentioned by Holden, so they never really interact again. |
Sally Hayes
She is a very pretty girl Holden has known and dated for a long time. He says she is very stupid, but that he likes her. He feels very confused about her, but this confusion comes from his confusion about sex, because he is sexually attracted to her. He likes her because of her looks, not her personality. |
Mr. Antolini
Mr. Antolini was Holden's English teacher at Elkton Hills School. Holden is really close to him, and he looks to him for guidance. Mr. Antolini cares for him, and he gives him advice when Holden is really lost. His advice really impacts Holden. |
Mr. Spencer
Holden's History teacher at Pencey Prep who cares for him. He tries to convince him to try harder in school, but he doesn't succeed. |
Stradlater
Holden's roommate at Pencey Prep. Stradlater is sexually active, very handsome, and he is great with girls, but Holden keeps saying his a "secret" slob. Holden says he doesn't really like the way he expresses about having sex with girls (Jane Gallagher). Holden states he doesn't like him, but in the end he says he kind of misses him. |
Ackley
Ackley is Holden's next door neighbor at the Pencey Prep dorm. Holden tells us that Ackley has a lot of pimples and he is not very clean. He also says that he lies about having sexual intercourse. At the beginning of the story, Holden claims he doesn't really like him, but in the end he says he kind of misses him too. |