Holden Caulfield introduces himself as the narrator and mentions his stay in a mental institution. He talks about his brother D.B. and his parents, and then focuses on his last day at Pencey Prep. Holden stands on Thomsen Hill, watches the football game, and decides to visit his history teacher, Mr. Spencer. He has a negative opinion of Pencey Prep but recalls a pleasant memory of playing football with his friends. Holden goes to Spencer's house and is greeted by Mrs. Spencer.
Holden describes the elderly Spencers and finds Mr. Spencer's life sad. Spencer asks Holden about what the headmaster, Dr. Thurmer, told him about his expulsion. They discuss the meaning of life and following rules. Spencer reads Holden's essay on Egyptian culture and embarrasses him by reading Holden's note about not caring for the subject. They talk about Holden leaving his previous school, Elkton Hills, and Holden mentions witnessing a student's suicide. Spencer tries to impart wisdom, but Holden brushes it off. He leaves with an excuse and believes Spencer wishes him "Good luck!"
Holden returns to his dorm named after Ossenburger and recalls a funny incident involving his friend Edgar Marsella. In his room, Holden is interrupted by his suitemate, Robert Ackley. Holden dislikes Ackley and tries to annoy him. They discuss Holden's roommate, Stradlater, and Ackley's hygiene issues. Holden defends Stradlater and then Stradlater
arrives, asking to borrow a jacket for his date with Jane Gallagher. Holden protests but gives him the jacket. Ackley leaves, and Stradlater heads to the bathroom to shave.
Holden follows Stradlater to the bathroom and watches him shave. Holden considers Stradlater self-absorbed but likes him. Stradlater asks Holden to write his descriptive composition. Holden ponders the irony of Stradlater asking him for help when he's the one getting expelled. Their conversation shifts to Stradlater's date with Jane Gallagher, which excites Holden. Holden shares memories of playing checkers with Jane and her unique strategy. Stradlater suggests Holden come and say hello to Jane but Holden declines. Stradlater takes Holden's coat and leaves for the date, while Ackley returns and stays until dinnertime.
After a Saturday night dinner, Holden plans to go into town with his friend Mal Broussard to see a movie. He asks if they can invite Ackley, and reluctantly, Mal agrees. While waiting for Ackley to get ready, Holden opens a window and packs a snowball. They eat hamburgers andplay pinball instead of seeing the movie. When they return, Ackley refuses to leave Holden's room and tells a false story about sleeping with a girl. Holden uses Stradlater's composition as an excuse to get Ackley to leave. Holden writes about his deceased younger brother Allie and feels guilty for changing Allie's name on the composition. He finishes writing and listens to Ackley snore.
Holden anxiously waits for Stradlater to return from his date with Jane. When Stradlater arrives, he shows more interest in Holden's composition than in the date. Holden grows angry and tears up the composition. He smokes a cigarette in bed to annoy Stradlater. Holden asks about the date and becomes upset when Stradlater refuses to share details. They argue, and Stradlater easily overpowers Holden. Holden insults
Stradlater, who punches him, causing Holden to hit his head on the floor. Holden stays on the ground until Stradlater goes to the bathroom. He looks at his bloody face in the mirror and goes to Ackley's room.
Ackley is alarmed by Holden's bloodied face and asks about the fight. Holden lies and says he defended Ackley. Holden lies down in an empty bed and thinks about Stradlater and Jane. Holden wakes up Ackley and asks about joining a monastery. Ackley thinks Holden is mocking Catholicism, so Holden decides to leave. He packs his bag and sells his typewriter. As he prepares to leave, Holden cries and yells at his dormmates. He heads to the train station.
Holden boards a train to the city with his suitcases. A woman in her forties sits next to him. She recognizes the Pencey sticker on his luggage and reveals she is the mother of Holden's classmate, Ernest Morrow. Holden dislikes Ernest and lies about his identity. They talk about Ernest, and the woman finds Holden amusing. Holden offers her a cigarette and lies about his nosebleed. The conversation returns to Ernest, and Holden fabricates a story about Ernest's refusal to run for office. The conductor interrupts, and Holden offers the woman a drink. The conversation fades, and she gets off the train, inviting Holden to visit in the summer, which he declines with another lie.
Holden arrives at Penn Station and considers calling several people but decides against it. He hails a taxi and asks to be taken downtown. He asks the taxi driver about the ducks in Central Park. He goes tothe Edmont Hotel, sees unusual activities in other rooms, and reflects on his thoughts about sex. He contemplates calling Jane Gallagher but decides to call Faith Cavendish instead. She is initially annoyed but shows some interest. They make plans for a drink, but she declines for that night.
Holden sits in the hotel lobby and reminisces about Jane Gallagher. They spent time together and had a close relationship. Holden recalls an incident with Jane's stepfather and their limited physical interaction. They held hands often. Holden thinks about these memories to distract himself from Jane's date with Stradlater. He leaves the lobby and takes a cab to Ernie's nightclub.
Holden rides in a cab driven by Horwitz and asks about the ducks in Central Park. Horwitz talks about fish instead. At Ernie's nightclub, Holden finds the music pretentious and dislikes the people around him. Lillian Simmons recognizes him and chats with him, despite his disinterest. Holden leaves the club feeling that people ruin things.
Holden walks back to the hotel, wearing his red hunting hat. He reflects on his cowardice and hypothetical confrontations. He considers getting a drink but changes his mind. In the elevator, the operator offers him a prostitute, and Holden agrees. Back in his room, he becomes nervous. The prostitute, Sunny, arrives, but Holden feels depressed and tries to have a conversation instead. Sunny gets angry when he rejects her advances and leaves after receiving payment.
Holden sits in his room, smoking and talking to Allie. There's a knock on the door, and Maurice and Sunny return. Maurice demands payment, and Holden refuses. Maurice threatens and assaults him, while Sunny takes the money. Holden cries, and Maurice and Sunny leave. Holden goes to the bathroom, pretends to be wounded, and contemplates
revenge and suicide before getting in bed.
Holden wakes upand calls Sally Hayes for a date. He finds her annoying but invites her anyway. He looks out the window, goes downstairs, and takes a cab to Grand Central Station. He stows his bags and has breakfast at a sandwich bar. He helps two nuns with their suitcases and donates money to them. He has a conversation with one of the nuns about literature and religion. They leave, and Holden wishes he had given them more money. He thinks about his acquaintance Louis Shaney and his experiences with different faiths.
Holden walks to a record store to buy a record for Phoebe and plans to meet her at the park. He sees a boy singing a song and finds it uplifting. He buys the record and calls Jane, but her mother answers. He heads to the Museum of Natural History but changes his mind and takes a taxi to the Biltmore hotel to meet Sally for their date.
Holden arrives early and observes girls in the hotel lobby. He has mixed feelings about their future and thinks about a former roommate, Harry Macklin. When Sally arrives, they kiss and take a cab to the show. Holden is distracted by the actors and becomes annoyed when Sally talks to someone she thinks she knows. They continue to argue throughout the evening, and Holden suggests running away together, but Sally disagrees. They go ice skating, visit a bar, and have a heated argument. Holden leaves Sally crying at the bar.
Holden reflects on how women apologize for their bad dates and tries calling Jane again. He then calls Carl Luce, a friend from Whooton School, and arranges to meet him for a drink. Holden goes to a movie at
Radio City and dislikes the show. He recalls Allie's comment about D.B.'s wartime experiences and expresses his aversion to war.
Holden arrives early at the Wicker Bar to meet Carl Luce. He recalls their discussions about homosexuality in school and his suspicion that Carl might be gay. Holden tries to engage Carl in conversations about sex and personal matters but receives disinterest and criticism in return. Carl advises Holden to see a psychoanalyst and eventually leaves, leaving Holden bitter about Carl's intelligence.
Holden stays at the bar until late, getting drunk and imagining being shot but concealing his wounds. He calls Sally, who is uninterested in his drunken state. Holden dunks his headin water in the men's room and collects his coat and Phoebe's record. He decides to visit the ducks in the lagoon, but on the way, he drops and shatters Phoebe's record. He searches for the ducks but finds none and contemplates freezing to death. He counts his remaining money, decides to skip it across the lagoon, and ultimately decides to go home to see Phoebe.
Holden arrives at his apartment building, lies to the new elevator operator, and sneaks into his home. He quietly goes to Phoebe's room but realizes she now sleeps in D.B.'s room. He eventually finds her and watches her sleep. Holden admires Phoebe's belongings and wakes her up. They chat about her activities and their parents' absence. Holden gives her the shattered record, and she decides to keep the pieces. When Phoebe realizes that Holden has been kicked out of school, she becomes upset and puts a pillow over her head. Holden tries to console her, but she refuses to listen. He goes to the living room and takes cigarettes from his parents' supply.
Phoebe questions Holden about why he got kicked out of school. He explains his dislike for the students and shares anecdotes about his experiences. Phoebe challenges him to name something he likes, and Holden struggles to find an answer. He recalls the tragic story of James Castle, a classmate who died by suicide after being bullied. Phoebe continues to push Holden, and he finally admits that he likes Allie. They argue about Holden's feelings for someone who is no longer alive. Phoebe suggests that Holden become a lawyer like their father, but Holden is skeptical of the profession's motives. He shares his desire to be a catcher in the rye, based on a song he heard. Phoebe warns Holden that their father will be angry, and he decides to call Mr. Antolini.
Holden speaks briefly with Mr. Antolini on the phone and returns to Phoebe, who has put on a record. They dance together, and Phoebe shows Holden a trick to make her forehead feel hot. They are interrupted by their mother entering the room. Holden hides in the closet while Phoebe covers for him. After their mother leaves, Holden decides to leave immediately. He asks Phoebe for money, and she gives him all her Christmas money. Holden becomes emotional and cries uncontrollably, which frightens Phoebe. Eventually, he calms down, givesher his red hunting cap, and sneaks out of the apartment, no longer afraid of being caught.
Holden arrives at Mr. Antolini's house to find him in a bathrobe with a highball in hand. He finds the dynamic between Mr. and Mrs. Antolini amusing as they yell back and forth. They sit down to talk, and Holden explains his dismissal from Pencey and his dislike for the digressions in his Oral Expression class. Mr. Antolini expresses concern that Holden is heading towards a terrible fall and advises him to recognize his hatred and destructive principles. He shares a quote by Wilhelm Stekel and encourages Holden to find his true passion in order to succeed. Holden becomes tired, and Mr. Antolini changes the subject to Sally and Jane. Holden falls asleep on the couch but wakes up when he realizes Mr. Antolini is stroking his hair. Embarrassed, Holden decides to leave, and
Mr. Antolini urges him to return as soon as he retrieves his bags.
Holden goes to Grand Central Station and sleeps until morning. He ponders Mr. Antolini's actions and feels depressed and confused about the incident. He reads a magazine, but his sickness prevents him from eating breakfast. He walks down Fifth Avenue, observing the Christmas decorations and thinking of Phoebe. He begins to panic and imagines sinking or disappearing, longing for Allie's protection. After calming down, he decides to hitchhike West and work at a gas station, planning to hide his future family from the world. Holden intends to leave a note for Phoebe, so he visits her school, writes the note, and rubs off a profane message on the wall. He hands the note to a woman in the principal's office and sees another offensive message on the wall before heading to the museum.
Holden encounters two young brothers at the museum and briefly interacts with them before they run off. He discovers another offensive message on the wall in the mummy's tomb. Feeling sick, he goes to the bathroom and nearly faints. He meets Phoebe outside the school wearing his red hunting hat and carrying a suitcase, indicating that she plans to run away with him. Holden becomes upset and yells at her, causing her to cry. They argue about school, and Phoebe refuses to go back. Holden suggests she skip school for a walk with him but promises to return tomorrow. They walk on oppositesides of the block until they reach the zoo, where they walk closer together. At the carousel, Holden buys Phoebe a ticket, and she rides it while he watches. He buys her more tickets, and she puts his hunting hat back on his head. As she rides the carousel, Holden watches in the rain, feeling a sense of longing for her presence.