Catcher in the Rye Character Map

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Catcher in the Rye, The

Activity Overview

As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!

Use a character map to help track the different characters that are discussed in The Catcher in the Rye. Because this novel is very much a stream-of-consciousness narrative, have students include characters’ traits, how Holden feels about them/reacts to them, and a quote for support!

Holden Caulfield:

Traits: 16 years old; flunks out of 4th prep school; seems depressed; thinks everyone around him is a phony; wears a red hunting hat; only happy around innocence of children
How Holden feels about himself: Holden is often depressed and feels lousy. He is always looking for others to blame, but sometimes, his own insecurity can’t be blamed on anyone else. He is afraid of change.
Quote: “Certain things should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone.”

Other characters included in this map are: Stradlater, Phoebe, Allie, Jane Gallagher, Sally Hayes, Mr. Antolini

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a character map for the major characters.

Identify the major characters in The Catcher in the Rye and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a character to represent each of the literary characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Traits, How Holden Feels about Him/Her, and Quote.

Character Map 3 Fields Spider

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Catcher in the Rye Character Map

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Catcher in the Rye, The

Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

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