How does Holden feel physically while he talks to Mr. Antolini?

• A. He feels sleepy.
• B. He feels ill.
• C. He feels energized.
• D. He feels hot.

Answer: (B)

The scene with Mr. Antolini places Holden in a moment of deep discomfort that shows up in his body as illness or queasiness. As he talks with Antolini, his nerves are jangling and his stomach feels unsettled—an physical flutter that mirrors his emotional confusion about adults and growing up. This isn’t a matter of being sleepy, energized, or feeling hot; the most fitting description of what his body conveys in that moment is a sick, uneasy sensation. The physical unease underscores how overwhelmed Holden is by the adult world and by Antolini’s concerned, probing talk.