Search
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-catcher-in-the-rye-by-j--d--salinger/antihero
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Rubric
Activity Overview Accordion Arrow

Activity Overview


Uncovering the motivations of a protagonist and understanding different archetypes in fiction is an important part of literary appreciation. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is considered an anti-hero. Students can create Storyboards with cells tracking the protagonist's actions, and find support that categorizes him as an anti-hero.

For front-loading terms and a lesson plan, see our article on anti-heroes.

An anti-hero, by definition, is a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes. Some even display qualities that are almost more in line with villains. Traits like conceitedness, immorality, rebellion, and dishonesty signal that the author does not intend the audience to admire the protagonist. In the sample board below, the Frayer Model is used to reveal how Holden fits this archetype.


  • Anti-hero Definition: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes such as idealism, moral goodness, and altruism.

  • Characteristics: Holden is an anti-hero because he is a perpetual liar, he frequently judges and finds fault with others, and he fails to follow through with any plans.

  • Examples: Holden meets three girls in a bar and dances with them, but he thinks they’re all morons. He eventually tells one girl that he has just seen Gary Cooper, the movie star, to mess with her because he can’t stand her. When she tells the other girls she even caught a glimpse of him, Holden gets a good laugh.

  • Non-Examples: Phoebe is the opposite of Holden. She is sweet, innocent, and genuinely concerned for Holden. When she finds out he’s failed out of school, she’s afraid of the punishment he’ll get from their father. When he tells her he’s hitchhiking out West, she tries to come along, and follows him to the zoo afterwards, even though she’s upset.



Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows how Holden Caulfield can be considered an antihero.


  1. Identify events of the story or characteristics of Holden that fit into attributes of an antihero.
  2. Illustrate examples for Definition, Characteristics, Examples and Non-Examples.
  3. Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Holden Caulfield as an antihero.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

Rubric Accordion Arrow

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Hero vs Antihero Rubric for Grades 9-12
Proficient
25 Points
Emerging
21 Points
Beginning
17 Points
Try Again
13 Points
Character Traits
Character is thoroughly described and accurately portrayed as an antihero using multiple adjectives.
Character description is clear but lacks details and has limited descriptive words.
Character description lacks clarity and/or detail, and may not be completely reflective of an antihero.
Character chosen does not fit the description of an antihero, or character chosen does not have enough information to score.
Influence on Story
Character is shown to have significant influence on respective story and other characters.
Student states why the character is appealing to them, but may need more solid information on why this is so.
Student either does not explain character appeal, or does not provide sufficient details.
Character’s influence is incorrectly explained, or project is not complete enough to score.
Use of Quotes
Multiple quotes have been used, are representative of an antihero, and are organized efficiently.
Quotes were used, but do not produce strong proof that the character is an antihero.
One quote is used, and does not efficiently or acceptably convey the character’s traits.
Incorrect quote was used, or no quote was used.
Presentation
Maximum effort is displayed, storyboard is exemplary, trivial or no errors are noted
Student shows decent effort in the creation of the storyboard, editing was performed, and few errors are noted.
Student produced a satisfactory story board, but it may lack visual appeal, contain errors, or has missing parts.
Presentation needs improvement, is incomplete, or poor effort was put forth.


Activity Overview


Uncovering the motivations of a protagonist and understanding different archetypes in fiction is an important part of literary appreciation. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is considered an anti-hero. Students can create Storyboards with cells tracking the protagonist's actions, and find support that categorizes him as an anti-hero.

For front-loading terms and a lesson plan, see our article on anti-heroes.

An anti-hero, by definition, is a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes. Some even display qualities that are almost more in line with villains. Traits like conceitedness, immorality, rebellion, and dishonesty signal that the author does not intend the audience to admire the protagonist. In the sample board below, the Frayer Model is used to reveal how Holden fits this archetype.


  • Anti-hero Definition: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes such as idealism, moral goodness, and altruism.

  • Characteristics: Holden is an anti-hero because he is a perpetual liar, he frequently judges and finds fault with others, and he fails to follow through with any plans.

  • Examples: Holden meets three girls in a bar and dances with them, but he thinks they’re all morons. He eventually tells one girl that he has just seen Gary Cooper, the movie star, to mess with her because he can’t stand her. When she tells the other girls she even caught a glimpse of him, Holden gets a good laugh.

  • Non-Examples: Phoebe is the opposite of Holden. She is sweet, innocent, and genuinely concerned for Holden. When she finds out he’s failed out of school, she’s afraid of the punishment he’ll get from their father. When he tells her he’s hitchhiking out West, she tries to come along, and follows him to the zoo afterwards, even though she’s upset.



Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows how Holden Caulfield can be considered an antihero.


  1. Identify events of the story or characteristics of Holden that fit into attributes of an antihero.
  2. Illustrate examples for Definition, Characteristics, Examples and Non-Examples.
  3. Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Holden Caulfield as an antihero.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Hero vs Antihero Rubric for Grades 9-12
Proficient
25 Points
Emerging
21 Points
Beginning
17 Points
Try Again
13 Points
Character Traits
Character is thoroughly described and accurately portrayed as an antihero using multiple adjectives.
Character description is clear but lacks details and has limited descriptive words.
Character description lacks clarity and/or detail, and may not be completely reflective of an antihero.
Character chosen does not fit the description of an antihero, or character chosen does not have enough information to score.
Influence on Story
Character is shown to have significant influence on respective story and other characters.
Student states why the character is appealing to them, but may need more solid information on why this is so.
Student either does not explain character appeal, or does not provide sufficient details.
Character’s influence is incorrectly explained, or project is not complete enough to score.
Use of Quotes
Multiple quotes have been used, are representative of an antihero, and are organized efficiently.
Quotes were used, but do not produce strong proof that the character is an antihero.
One quote is used, and does not efficiently or acceptably convey the character’s traits.
Incorrect quote was used, or no quote was used.
Presentation
Maximum effort is displayed, storyboard is exemplary, trivial or no errors are noted
Student shows decent effort in the creation of the storyboard, editing was performed, and few errors are noted.
Student produced a satisfactory story board, but it may lack visual appeal, contain errors, or has missing parts.
Presentation needs improvement, is incomplete, or poor effort was put forth.


How Tos about Holden Caulfield as an Anti-Hero

1

Guide students to compare Holden Caulfield to a classic hero

Encourage students to select a traditional hero from literature and examine how their qualities differ from Holden's. This activity deepens understanding of the anti-hero archetype by highlighting contrasts in actions, motivations, and values.

2

Choose an accessible classic hero for comparison

Pick a familiar hero such as Harry Potter, Atticus Finch, or Hercules. Using a well-known character ensures all students have enough background knowledge to participate meaningfully.

3

Create a simple comparison chart

Set up a two-column chart with ‘Holden Caulfield’ on one side and the chosen hero on the other. List key traits, actions, and decisions under each name to visually compare their behaviors.

4

Facilitate a discussion about differences and their effects

Lead students in analyzing how each character’s choices impact the story and influence the audience’s feelings. This helps students recognize the purpose of different archetypes in literature.

5

Encourage students to reflect in writing

Ask students to write a short paragraph explaining which character they relate to more and why. This reflection promotes critical thinking and personal connection to the material.

Frequently Asked Questions about Holden Caulfield as an Anti-Hero

What makes Holden Caulfield an anti-hero in The Catcher in the Rye?

Holden Caulfield is considered an anti-hero because he lacks traditional heroic qualities like honesty, idealism, and moral goodness. He frequently lies, judges others, and struggles to follow through on his plans, making him a complex and flawed protagonist.

How can students show that Holden Caulfield fits the anti-hero archetype?

Students can create a storyboard tracking Holden's actions, using models like the Frayer Model to categorize his definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. This helps illustrate how his behaviors align with the anti-hero archetype.

What is the definition of an anti-hero in literature?

An anti-hero is a central character in a story who lacks conventional heroic traits, such as idealism, moral goodness, and altruism. They may even show qualities more typical of villains.

Can you give examples of Holden Caulfield's anti-hero traits?

Yes. For example, Holden lies to people, judges strangers harshly, and finds it hard to follow through with plans. When he dances with girls in a bar, he mocks them and tells unnecessary lies just to amuse himself.

Why is Phoebe considered a non-example of an anti-hero compared to Holden?

Phoebe is the opposite of Holden because she is innocent, caring, and honest. She supports Holden and worries about his well-being, displaying qualities that are the reverse of an anti-hero's traits.




This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides

Testimonials

“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”
–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”
–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”
–Third Grade Teacher
*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-catcher-in-the-rye-by-j--d--salinger/antihero
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office