Holden is a 16-year-old boy who has just been expelled from his prep school for failing his classes. He is deeply cynical and highly critical of what he views as a "phony" adult world, yet he possesses a sensitive and empathetic nature. He grieves the loss of his younger brother and intensely fears the transition into adulthood, preferring the innocence of childhood.

Phoebe is Holden's 10-year-old sister. She is highly intelligent, observant, and deeply loyal to her older brother. She enjoys roller skating and writing fiction stories about a character named Hazel Weatherfield. She anchors Holden to the genuine innocence he desperately wants to protect.

Allie is Holden's younger brother who died of leukemia before the events of the novel. He was highly intelligent and kind, with bright red hair. He famously copied poems in green ink onto his left-handed baseball fielder's mitt so he would have something to read while standing in the outfield.

Jane is Holden's former neighbor and close childhood friend. During the summer they spent together, they frequently played checkers and golf. She comes from a troubled household with an alcoholic stepfather. Holden views her as a pure, uncorrupted figure and constantly considers calling her, though he never follows through.

D. B. is Holden's older brother and a World War II veteran. He is a talented author who previously wrote a book of short stories that Holden loves. He has recently moved to Hollywood to write screenplays, a decision Holden views as selling out to a superficial industry.

Stradlater is Holden's physically attractive, popular roommate at Pencey Prep. He asks Holden to write his English composition for him while he prepares for a Saturday night date. His casual, conquest-driven approach to girls disturbs Holden, particularly when Holden learns the date is with Jane Gallagher.

Ackley is Holden's suitemate at Pencey Prep. He is an isolated boy with poor personal hygiene and a habit of invading others' personal space. He regularly interrupts Holden's quiet time and aggressively avoids Ward Stradlater, whom he resents.

Mr. Spencer is Holden's elderly history teacher at Pencey Prep. He cares about Holden's academic failure but attempts to motivate him through guilt and lectures about playing by the rules of life. He reads Holden's poorly written exam essay out loud, which deeply embarrasses Holden.

Sally is an attractive girl from a wealthy family whom Holden has dated in the past. She is socially conventional, enjoying theater and ice skating at Radio City. Holden experiences wildly fluctuating feelings for her during their date, swinging from proposing they run away together to insulting her.

Mr. Antolini is Holden's former English teacher from Elkton Hills, currently teaching at NYU. He is highly intelligent, perceptive, and married to an older, wealthy woman. He offers Holden a place to sleep and gives him serious advice about his psychological trajectory. He was the only adult to approach James Castle's body after his suicide.

Carl is an older boy who previously attended the Whooten School with Holden. He considers himself intellectually and sexually sophisticated. He dismisses Holden's attempts to connect, advising him to grow up and seek psychoanalysis instead of asking immature questions.

Maurice is an elevator operator who moonlights as a pimp for the hotel's guests. He initially agrees on a five-dollar price for a sex worker's time, but later returns to Holden's room to extort ten dollars through physical intimidation.

Sunny is a young sex worker, roughly Holden's age, whom Maurice sends to his room. Her youth and casual, businesslike demeanor deeply depress Holden, leading him to back out of their arrangement and offer to pay her just to talk.

James was a skinny boy from Elkton Hills who jumped from a window to his death to escape severe bullying. His death profoundly traumatized Holden, who had lent him a turtleneck sweater that James wore during the fatal incident.