The Catcher in the Rye Timeline

Holden is kicked out of Pencey Prep School

100

The book begins with Holden telling about how he's just been kicked out of Pencey Prep School due to failing classes. After saying goodbye to Mr. Spencer ( his history teacher ) Holden returns to his dorm, where he learns one of his roommates ( Stradlater ) is going on a date with a friend of his ( Jane ).

Holden Fights Stradlater

200

When Holden finds out that Stradlater is going on a date with Jane, Holden gets angry. He also writes about his brother ( Allie ) in Stradlater's notebook. Stradlater comes back from his date, Holden attempts to fight him, but loses.

Holden Wanders around New York

300

Holden decides against going home, as he doesn't want his parents to know he's been kicked out of school. Instead, he gets on a train only to see one of his classmate's mom. He asks her if she wants to get a drink together, to which she declines. Holden then takes a taxi to a hotel.

Holden goes to Ernie's

400

Holden takes a taxi to Ernie's where he's hoping to get a drink. He ends up seeing his brother's ( D.B. ) ex-girlfriend. He leaves after she invited him out, and walks back to the hotel.

Holden meets Sunny

500

Holden runs into the elevator man ( Maurice ) who asks him if he wants to rent a prostitute. Holden decides to do it, and goes back up to his room to get ready for her. When she arrives, he learns her name is Sunny. She looks around his age, but refuses to share her age with him. Holden decides against hooking up, and instead talks to her. They argue about the price of her visit, but Holden refuses to shell out more than $5, so Sunny leaves.

Holden gets Confronted by Maurice

600

A little bit after Sunny leaves, she comes back up with Maurice, who demands that Holden pay the other $5 that he owes them. Holden argues with him, telling how he said it was only $5 for a 'throw'. Holden calls him a moron, and Maurice punches him stright in the gut.

Holden and Sally Meet up

700

Holden decides to call Sally Hayes. They go to the movies together and end up kissing. Holden then tells Sally that he is in love with her. He mentions that they could run away, but gets upset when she doesn't want to. Holden leaves right after.

Holden and Carl meet up

800

Holden and his old school friend Carl Luce meet up at Wicker Bar. Carl gets annoyed because Holden only talks about sex. He calls Holden out for being immature. Carl tells him he should go to his father, who is a psychoanalyst, then leaves.

Holden goes to see Phoebe

900

After finding out that his parents are out, Holden and his sister (Phoebe) talk. Phoebe asks what he wants to achieve in life, to which he replies that he wants to be "a catcher in the rye".

Holden returns Home

1000

After planning to leave, Holden goes to say goodbye to Phoebe. She is persistant that she comes wtih him, to which he refuses. He decides to go home instead. He starts attending therapy as well, and admits that he misses the people in his life.