Holden Caulfield: Holden is six feet two and has grown six
and a half inches in the last year. He's a heavy smoker and wears his hair
in a crew cut. People mistake him for being 13 even though he's 16 and has
a headful of gray hair. Holden's appearance is that of an adolescent who's
not just too young or too old for his age, but somehow both at once. Holden
has just failed out of Pencey Prep. The only subject he passed was English,
as he reads a lot on his own. The novel follows Holden's last few days at
Pencey and the events that happen afterward, which lead to his hospitalization
and psychoanalysis. The Catcher in the Rye is the story of Holden Caulfield
during these crucial days, as told by Holden.

Mr. Spencer: Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep. He is at home
in a bathrobe, suffering from a cold when Holden visits him for the
last time. Holden wants to say goodbye to Mr. Spencer, but then regrets
his choice when Mr. Spencer grills him about his future.

Robert Ackley: Holden's next door neighbor in his dorm at Pencey Prep,
he is a brash and annoying guy. Holden simply puts up with Ackley's
disgusting habits and bad behavior. Ackley says he hates just about
everyone, but he honestly dislikes Stradlater, Holden's roommate, and
will leave the room whenever he shows up.

Stradlater: Holden's roommate at Pencey Prep. Holden calls him a 'secret
slob,' because, although he is handsome and well kept, his razor is rusted
and cruddy. Stradlater often walks around without a shirt on and is popular
with the girls. When he goes on a date with Jane Gallagher, Holden
becomes extremely agitated, because Stradlater is extremely forward with
his dates.

Jane Gallagher: A girl who used to live near Holden and played checkers
with him two summers ago. She danced ballet and had trouble with her
'booze hound' father.-She had a 'lousy childhood' according to Holden,
who cares for her a great deal. When Holden finds out Jane is going on
a date with the sexually-experienced Stradlater, he becomes agitated.

Phoebe Caulfield: Holden's younger sister, Phoebe is a smart kid, and she
and Holden mutually adore and respect each other. Holden thinks about
Phoebe many times during his time in New York City, and finally risks
getting caught by his parents to sneak into their apartment and visit her.
When Holden says he's leaving to go West, Phoebe packs her bags and demands
to come along. For some reason, this seems to convince Holden that neither
of them needs to be running away.

Allie Caulfield: Holden's younger brother by two years, Allie died of
leukemia, which distressed Holden to the point that he punched out all
the windows in the garage. Allie had bright red hair and had written poems
all over his baseball mitt so he would have something to read on the field.
Holden remembers him as extremely kind and intelligent.

Sally Hayes: Holden's girlfriend, or at least a girl he's had a few dates
with, at the beginning of the story. By the end of the story, she's
presumably not his girlfriend anymore. Holden finds Sally cute, but a bit
phony. He goes on a disastrous date with Sally when he's in the city, but
is so lonely and physically attracted that he asks her to run away with him.

Mr. Antolini: A favorite ex-English teacher of Holden's. Holden calls Mr.
Antolini after his lousy time with Luce, and Mr. Antolini takes him in
for the evening. He seems kind and concerned, and gives Holden some advice
about keeping his head up. Holden flees Antolini's apartment in the middle of
the night, however, after he wakes up to find the teacher patting his
head, fearing it is some 'perverty' move.

Sunny: A young prostitute that Holden buys some time with at the Edmont
Hotel. Holden is too overwhelmed by Sunny's humanity and his own virginity
to go through with the act.

James Castle: An often-teased boy from one of Holden's old schools who
committed suicide.

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