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Holden has had enough
Holden is saying his goodbyes to his teachers and roommates. One of Holden's roommates Stradlater goes out with Jane Gallagher, a girl Holden likes. Out of anger, Holden punches Stradlater and gets into a fight. Then he decides to leave Pencey 3 days early. -
Beginning
The story is written from the perspective of Holden Caulfield. The story begins in a school called Pencey Prep in Pennsylvania. Holden has just been expelled from his 4th school. -
Leaving for home
Holden leaves for Manhattan New York where he lives. He figured he'll just hang around the city with the money he has and go home on the day he was supposed to. -
Edmont Hotel
Once Holden arrives in the city he books a room at the Edmont Hotel. He decided once he got there he would call a stripper in hopes of getting lucky. He fails and goes to the Lavender Bar. He attempts to get some alcohol but can't. He also dances with three girls but gets bored. -
The elevator
Holden is on his way back from Ernies Jazz Club. On the way to his room, the elevator boy offers Holden a chance to have sex with a prostitute. For $5 Maurice sends a girl up. Holden decides he's not into it and pays her off without anything happening. Sunny wants another $5 and when Holden doesn't pay Maurice comes up and punches him and takes the extra $5. -
Sally Hayes
The following morning Holden calls Sally Hayes, an old acquaintance in hopes of meeting up. She agrees. In the meantime, Holden runs into two nuns and has a nice conversation. He also went to look for his sister Pheobe but is unsuccessful. Eventually, he goes to meet Sally -
The date
Holden eventually meets with Sally. Sally asks Holden to go ice skating and he agrees. They both suck and decide to stop and talk. Holden gets creepy and goes off on Sally asking her to marry him and run away to Vermont. She doesn't want to and he calls her "a pain in the ass". That was the end of the date -
Drunk
That night Holden calls Carl Luce. Someone he knew from a previous school. They meet up and Holden tries to entangle him in a sex conversation. Carl is highly annoyed being much older and leaves. Holden gets drunk and decided he wants to see Pheobe. -
Sneaking home
Less drunk Holden decides to sneak into his family apartment and see his younger sister Pheobe who he deeply loves. He sneaks in and is scared his mom will catch him but Pheobe informs him they're at a party. Later in the conversation, Pheobe figures out Holden got kicked out of Pency and gets angry. Eventually, she gives him her Christmas money and Holden calls up Mr. Antolini. -
Pervert?
After talking to Mr. Antolini, Holden ends up staying the night with him and his wife. When he gets there he is well taken care of. Holden and Mr. Antolini (an intelligent man) talk about his future. Holden falls asleep but is awakened by Mr. Antolini patting his head and becomes creeped out. He believes him to be a pervert and leaves. Holden is cold and sick and decides to get his bags and spend the night homeless. -
The End
That morning Holden feels terrible. He feels sick and has weird visions. It's then he decides that he is going to hitchhike west and talk to nobody ever again. But he wants to meet Pheobe one last time and give her the money back. Once he meets Pheobe she gets angry at Holden. Holden who is sad takes her to the zoo and a carousel. It's then he is finally happy and decides to stay home. He can't leave his sister