The Catcher In the Rye Begins With Seventeen-Year-Oldholden Caulfield Jumping Right In – With a Lot of Attitude and Dated Profanity– to Tell Us About "This Madman Stuff" That Happened to Him"Around Last Christmas." His Story Begins on a December Saturday Atpencey Prep School In Pennsylvania, Where He's Just Been Given the Ax (Read: Kickedout) For Failing All His Classes Except English. Turns Out, Getting the Ax Is Arecurring Theme In Holden's Past. He Visits a Friendly Teacher of His, Mr.Spencer, Who Lectures Him About the "Future."