Chapters 5-7

Chapter 5

On Saturday night, Holden continues his cynical appraisal of the world and Pencey by criticising the steak dinners that are served. Holden then condescends to invite Ackley out with a friend. This is an indication that he really does feel for Ackley, although he resists admitting that Ackley is a friend and seeks out more negative reasons for his invitation. Holden then reveals to the reader a potential reason for his disaffection. Holden's little brother by two years, Allie, died of leukaemia and this resulted in Holden punching out all of the windows in the family garage. This has left physical scarring on his hands and he is incapable of making a fist. Holden has kept Allie's baseball mitt and it is about this that he is going to write Stradlater's composition.

Analysis

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when analysing Chapter 5. Firstly, Holden's thoughts of Allie are going to recur throughout the novel. Although Holden tells the reader that he is going to avoid going into his family life, he reveals bits and pieces. The anguish that he feels over his brother's death indicates that they are, in fact, a close family.

Holden has lent his typewriter to somebody down the hall and stays up late writing Stradlater's letter. It is surprising that somebody who seems to dislike all of his peers is extremely generous with his time and possessions. There is a major contradiction here in his personality. It is quite possible that Holden was not always so cynical. He may be compensating for his inability to feel strong emotions through his cynical outlook. Consider the bluntness with which he tells us that Allie is dead: 'He's dead now.' (p33) Consider also that Holden uses the second person here. He tells the reader that 'you'd have liked him' (p33), perhaps indicating a sense of loneliness and that he is trying to reach out to somebody.

Chapter 6

Holden has difficulty remembering the events for this chapter. He claims that this is because he was 'so damned worried' (p35). The cause of his consternation is that he feels for the welfare of Jane. Holden labels Stradlater as 'unscrupulous'. When Stradlater returns, neither of them mention Jane, but Stradlater does ask for the composition. He believes that it is inappropriate because it is about a baseball glove rather than a room or a house and tells Holden that he 'can't do one damn thing the way you're supposed to.' (p36) Holden pesters Stradlater about what happened on the date with Jane. Stradlater's response of 'That's a professional secret, buddy' (pg38) frustrates Holden enough to lash out physically at him. This results in the bigger and stronger Stradlater pinning Holden to the ground and telling him to be quiet. Holden, however, cannot stop himself and childishly taunts Stradlater. Stradlater eventually hits Holden, leaving him bloodied. Holden leaves, shaken but feeling tough. He goes to see Ackley.

Analysis

Later in the novel we learn that Jane is the only other person who has seen Allie's baseball glove. What do you think this implies about Holden's relationship with Stradlater? He might be reaching out to Stradlater. The fact that he tears up the composition is symbolic. He cannot seem to make anybody understand and so he dismisses it. It is important to note that after Holden hits Stradlater, Stradlater is very patient with him. Holden is clearly in an extremely agitated state as he even admits that his taunts are childish. Consider 'all morons hate it when you call them a moron' (pg38). Is this similar to any childhood taunting that you know of? When Stradlater finally hits Holden there are indications that he feels bad about it. Holden pessimistically takes this as him merely being nervous that he might have fractured his skull.

On page 40 Holden admires how the blood makes him look tough and then tells the audience that he is a pacifist. The recurring motif of 'if you want to know the truth' (pg40) indicates that he is unsure of the truth himself. Why would he need to confirm that he is telling us the truth? Readers generally trust that the narrator is telling the truth.

Holden has overcome his anger very quickly. He also downplays the event to himself. There is an implication in his motivation for visiting Ackley 'just to see what the hell he was doing' (p40) that in fact he is looking for comfort but refuses to admit that he needs it. Imagine that you had lost your temper as Holden has just done. Most people will either want to be alone or to be comforted by a friend.

Chapter 7

Holden visits Ackley's room. Ackley's roommate is away for the weekend and Holden wants to sleep in his bed for the night to avoid Stradlater. Ackley is unresponsive to Holden's problems and merely tells him to wash his face. Holden does not want to talk about what happened but pesters Ackley. He wants to play Canasta or just talk, but Ackley says that it is too late. Holden resolves to leave the school, he is lonely and depressed. As Holden leaves, he shouts out, 'sleep tight ya morons!' (pg 46)

Analysis

It is clear that Holden is looking for a friend. Ackley, however, proves not to be that person. Holden claims that he never discussed his personal life with Ackley (pg42) and only internally confesses that he was 'so damn lonesome' (p42).

This chapter is also important because it is a turning point for Holden and prepares the reader for what is to come. Holden is lonely and depressed. He is preoccupied with sex as he recalls a double date that he had where Stradlater more or less forced himself onto a girl while she pleads 'No - please. Please, don't. Please' (pg43). This attitude towards sex will be developed further in the novel as Holden tries to come to terms with his feelings of inferiority related to his virginity. Watch out for the episode with Sunny the prostitute in particular.

Holden is also erratic and dangerously spontaneous as he asks Ackley about 'the routine for joining a monastery' (pg44). This is clearly a silly idea, especially because he is not Catholic. It introduces the theme of religion and purity, however, which, later in the novel, will be emphasised further when Holden meets two nuns.

Consider the implications of Holden leaving school. For most people, leaving school is symbolic of entering the adult world. The remainder of the novel will consist mostly of Holden trying to come to terms with the adult world while craving the purity of the innocent world of children.