Contents
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Overview
Holden, bloodied after fighting Stradlater, seeks refuge in Ackley’s room, fixates on Jane and Stradlater, and spirals into loneliness. Rebuked and unable to sleep, he abruptly decides to leave Pencey that night. He packs, sells his typewriter for cash, recalls his mother’s recent gift, then departs, vowing to lay low in New York.
Summary
Holden slips into Ackley’s dark room after the fight with Stradlater, bloodied and agitated. He fishes for distraction, asking to play Canasta and to sleep in Ely’s empty bed, while Ackley complains about the noise and refuses permission. Holden grows lonesome, stares out the window, and needles Ackley with sarcasm.
Left in the dark, Holden fixates on Jane and Stradlater in Ed Banky’s car, recalling Stradlater’s practiced seduction routine and feeling sick with jealousy and worry. Restless, he wakes Ackley again to ask about joining a monastery, provoking a brief flare-up over religion before leaving the room in disgust at the atmosphere.
Alone in the quiet corridor, Holden suddenly decides to leave Pencey immediately rather than wait for his official withdrawal. He plans to stay in an inexpensive New York hotel until his parents receive and process the expulsion letter. Returning to his room, he smokes, dresses, and rapidly packs his bags.
Packing triggers sadness when he stows the new ice skates his mother just sent, reminding him of her effort and his failures. Wanting extra cash, he wakes Frederick Woodruff and sells his typewriter cheaply. Ready to go, Holden puts on his red hunting hat, surveys the dorm one last time, shouts, “Sleep tight, ya morons!” down the corridor, and heads out into the night.
Who Appears
- Holden CaulfieldNarrator; bloodied after fighting Stradlater, pesters Ackley, obsesses over Jane, and impulsively decides to leave Pencey for New York.
- AckleyHolden’s neighbor; annoyed host in the dark, resists letting Holden use Ely’s bed, bristles at a crack about religion, then falls back asleep.
- Ward StradlaterHolden’s roommate; offstage presence whose date with Jane and reputation fuel Holden’s jealousy and despair.
- Jane GallagherHolden’s old friend; absent but central to his anxiety as he imagines her with Stradlater.
- Frederick WoodruffWealthy student; buys Holden’s typewriter for twenty dollars after being woken up.
- ElyAckley’s roommate; absent, but his empty bed tempts Holden as a refuge.
- Holden’s motherRecalled via her recent gift of skates, which deepens Holden’s sadness as he packs.