The Catcher in the Rye

1
The Catcher in the Rye

• Chapters 11-12

2
Holdens Quest for Companionship

• Wants to call Phoebe
• You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart
  in your whole life (67).
• Red hair like Allie
• Person he likes and can communicate
• And when Allie and I were having some
  conversation about things in general, old
  Phoebed be listening. Sometimes youd forget
  she was around, because she was such a little
  kid, but shes let you know (68).
• Childlike and innocent

3
Holdens Relationship with Jane

• Feels happy when hes with her
• Feels innocent towards her- wants to protect her
• I really got to know her quote intimately. I
  dont mean it was anything physical or anything-
  it wasntYou dont always have to get too sexy
  to get to know a girl (76)
• Jane represents goodness, intimacy without
  sexuality
• Childhood innocence

4
Holdens Relationship with Jane

• Indicates their close bond
• She was the only one, outside of my family, that
  I ever showed Allies mitt to (77).
• Reveals an intense and intimate moment with her
• Then, all of a sudden, this tear plopped down on
  the checkerboardI dont know why, but it
  bothered the hell out of me (78-79).
• The she really started to cry, and the next
  thing I knew, I was kissing her all over-
  anywhere (79).

5
Holdens Relationship with Jane

• Mirrors Holdens situation and how he handles it
• I asked Jane what the hell was going on. She
  wouldnt even answer me, then. She made out like
  she was concentrating on her next move(78)
• Holden wont admit or turn to anyone for help
• Indicates her innocence was taken advantage of
• Holden couldnt protect her
• May explain his preoccupation with Jane and
  wanting to talk to her

6
Holdens Loneliness

• Holden feels increasing despair and isolation
  when not in contact with others
• What made it worse, it was so quiet and lonesome
  out, even though it was Saturday night It makes
  you feel so lonesome and depressed. I kept
  wishing I could go home and shoot the bull for a
  while with old Phoebe (81).
• Desire for interaction
• Increasing loneliness and despair

7
Holdens Loneliness

• Do you happen to know the ducks that swim
  around in it? In the springtime and all? Do you
  happen to know where they go in the wintertime,
  by any chance? (81).
• Alone with no where to go
• Ducks may provide an answer for him
• Compassionate

8
Holdens Quest for Companionship

• Ernies
• Anyway, it made me feel depressed and lousy
  again, and I damn near got my coat back and went
  back to the hotel, but it was too early and I
  didnt feel much like being alone (84).
• Reality of his situation
• Desires companionship
• Ridicules everyone
• I certainly began to feel like a prize horses
  ass, though, sitting there all by myself (86).
• Sees the reality but refuses to acknowledge or
  take responsibility for it

9
Holdens Quest for Companionship

• Holden wants to be with people
• It made me mad, though, when I was getting my
  coat. People are always ruining things for you
  (87).
• Holdens past encounters
• Feels that others have ruined things for him
• not been there for him when he needed them