Who is Mr. Spencer and why does Holden visit him?

• A. Mr. Spencer is Holden's teacher who invited him to visit before he leaves Pencey to talk about his life.
• B. Mr. Spencer is the school principal who reprimanded Holden.
• C. Mr. Spencer is a former classmate who offers advice.
• D. Mr. Spencer is Holden's janitor who helps him clean his room.

Answer: (A)

Mr. Spencer is Holden's history teacher at Pencey Prep. Holden visits him because Spencer invites him to stop by before he leaves Pencey so they can talk about Holden's life and what lies ahead. This moment matters because it puts Holden in a real conversation with an adult who expects honesty, highlighting his uneasy, skeptical view of adulthood while he’s still trying to figure out his own path. The other roles don’t fit the scene—he’s not the principal, not a former classmate offering advice, and not a janitor helping with chores.