Holden explains how he hates about the school, but Phoebe responses by blaming him of hating everything. When Holden answers that the only thing he likes is Allie, Phoebe reminds him angrily that Allie is dead. Holden imagines that he wants to be the catcher standing at the edge of the cliff and saving children from falling down. Holden calls Mr. Antolini, Holden's previous English teacher, for a meet. Holden goes back to the room and dances with Phoebe for a while. When their parents come back, Holden snuffs out the cigarette, jumps into a closet and hides until his mother leaves the room. Holden tells Phoebe his plan to move to the west alone. Phoebe loans him her Christmas money, and Holden gives Phoebe his hunting hat. Holden goes to Mr. Antolini's house where they just finish a party. Holden talks about his hates in Pencey and Mr. Antolini mentions his debate class with Holden. They argue the topic of Holden's fall in life may separate himself from the rest of the world. Holden thinks Mr. Antolini makes homosexual advance on him when he strokes Holden's head, so Holden leaves.
Relate:
After experiencing the loneliness and alienation from the rest of the world, Holden finds himself happier when talking to Phoebe. Even though I haven't experienced too much in adult's world, I still find that the little kids are always innocent and pure. As I gradually grow up, I start to meet many new things and issues that bring me worries and sadness. At this time, I find myself really love to talk to my little brother because he doesn't know anything. I talk to him in a childish tone so that I can pretend myself to be a child who doesn't need to worry about anything. Like the way Holden talks with Phoebe, "She always listens when you tell her something. She really does" (167). Young kids are innocent and you don't need to worry about what they will criticize on you when you tell them something. You always have a good impression in their hearts. Young kids have not experienced the pain of growing up, so their minds are full of purity. Therefor, having a little brother could be a fortune for me because he always raises my kindness and innocence hidden deeply inside my heart.
Reflect:
The conversation between Holden and Pheobe was pretty pure, unlike the way he talks to others, Holden loves talking to Pheobe and he never lies to her. In these chapters, Holden's personality becomes to change. He expresses his inner feeling directly to the readers by telling Pheobe that he wants to be the catcher so that he can save little kids from falling off the cliff. Holden begins to see the pain of growing up, so he wants to protect the innocent kids from the cruel adulthood, which also corresponds to the title of the book. His talking with Mr. Antolini make him think more about the problem that if he can handle the environment. The homosexual advance that Mr. Antolini makes on Holden has a deep impact on his thoughts in sexuality. We can see that Holden realizes his mental problem, but we are not sure if he wants to move forward or not. The language keeps sharp, but the tone becomes bitter rather than cynical. The theme is that Holden begins to see the painful loneliness and alienation that he creates for himself and starts to thinking about them.
Interesting Questions:
1: Why does Holden call his teacher Mr. Antolini while refer Mr. Spencer as "Old Spencer"?
Holden respects Mr. Antolini's intelligence and his former thoughts. However he dislikes old Spencer's poor heath condition and his boring lectures. By comparing the two teacher's styles, Holden is definitely attracted by Mr. Anotolini's former minds.
2: If Holden meets an attractive women in the field, what do you think Holden will do?
Holden probably likes her very much, but he wouldn't have any sex with her. In Holden's opinion, having sex with her without even telling the rest of the world is still not appropriate. In Holden's deep heart, he thinks it is wrong to have sex with that girl.
Predict:
Holden will become a bit mature in later chapters because he already sees the cruelty of the adult world and wants to protect children from falling off the adulthood. Holden starts to think about his transitions from a child to an adult. Even though he hasn't show where he wants to approach, but he is definitely becoming a bit mature.
This picture shows what Holden wants to do in these chapters. He stands in the edge of the cliff saving children from falling off to the place where he refers as "adult world". Obviously, Holden wants to protect the innocence of the children, which also reflects that he wants to find his innocence back to save his personality and current situation.
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