What does Holden's donation to the nuns indicate about his moral compass?

• A. He is charitable and morally conscious.
• B. He is rash and reckless with money.
• C. He is indifferent to others' needs.
• D. He only helps those he knows well.

Answer: (A)

This moment shows Holden’s capacity for empathy and a moral conscience. He notices the nuns’ quiet suffering and chooses to share what he has, not for himself but to ease someone else’s hunger. That deliberate act of generosity reveals a moral compass driven by compassion and a sense of responsibility toward others, even strangers. It isn’t a spontaneous or reckless spending; it’s a thoughtful decision consistent with caring for people beyond his circle. This also counters the idea that he only helps those he knows, since the nuns are unfamiliar to him. So, the donation illustrates a humane, principled impulse guiding his actions.