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The Catcher in the Rye

Book cover of The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the RyeJ. D. Salinger

Characters in The Catcher in the Rye

9 characters, main characters first.

Main characters

  • Holden Caulfield

    An expelled sixteen-year-old drifting through New York City, grieving and resisting adulthood.

Supporting characters

  • Phoebe Caulfield

    Holden's precocious ten-year-old sister, the one person he trusts and confides in.

  • Allie Caulfield

    Holden's younger brother, who died of leukemia; his loss shadows the whole narrative.

  • Mr. Antolini

    A former English teacher Holden visits late in the novel.

  • D.B. Caulfield

    Holden's older brother, a Hollywood screenwriter Holden regards as a sellout.

  • Robert Ackley

  • Stradlater

  • Sally Hayes

  • Mr. Spencer (The Catcher in the Rye)

    Holden's elderly history teacher at Pencey Prep, whom Holden visits to say an awkward goodbye before leaving school.

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