Chapters 11-13

Chapter 11

After leaving the Lavender Room, Holden begins to think very deeply about Jane Gallagher. These are memories full of innocent childhood crushes and are in stark contrast with his surroundings and the way that he is acting. The hotel lobby is emptying and Holden decides to visit another bar, Ernie's, which he describes negatively.

Analysis

The dichotomy of Holden Caulfield's actions and thoughts continue as he sits in a 'vomity-looking'(p69) chair in the lobby of the dingy Edmont hotel and thinks about Jane. It is important to note the innocence with which he remembers Jane. He claims to know her 'like-a-book' a claim that the reader feels he is not sure about as he qualifies it with 'I really did' (p69). Holden will not accept the fact that she has grown up since then. This was particularly emphasised in Chapter 4 and Chapter 6 where Stradlater laughs at Holden for mentioning checkers. It is probably for this reason that Holden does not call Jane. Holden is scared of change.

In amongst his discussion of the innocence of Jane when he knew her, he discusses sexuality. Firstly he asserts that 'You don't always have to get too sexy to get to know a girl' (p69). Secondly, Holden describes at length how they almost 'necked', but this seems dubious at best. Finally, Holden asserts that Jane would never succumb to Stradlater, of which he has no evidence. Holden's view of love is simplistic and is symbolised by the image of two children holding hands.

Another extremely important factor to notice in Chapter 11 is that the narrator reveals that Jane was the only other non-family member to whom he had ever shown the baseball glove. This raises the question of why he let Stradlater read about it, particularly in light of the fact that Stradlater not only represents the sexual and adult, but is a threat to Holden's ideal of purity and innocence, Jane. It can be viewed as a symbolic, furtive attempt to enter the adult and experienced world. This attempt fails miserably.

The chapter ends with more critical analysis of where Holden about to go. The cynical tone contrasts strongly with the way that he thinks about Jane. Holden is violently swinging from one mood to another at this stage in the novel. Remember this quote as a good representation of Holden's state of mind: 'I don't exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it' (p72-73).

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 begins with the cab ride that Holden takes on his way to Ernie's. He has probably the most meaningful conversation that he has had in the novel with the cab driver. In response to Holden's questions about the ducks in the lake, the cab driver, Horwitz, gives Holden at least some kind of answer. Horwitz, however, is more interested in the fish and tells Holden that 'their bodies take in nutrition and all, right through the seaweed and crap that's in the ice' (p75), a dubious answer to be sure, but qualified by 'if you was a fish, Mother Natur'd take care of you' (p76)

When Holden arrives at Ernie's he is irritated by the applause Ernie receives because he thinks that 'People always clap for the wrong things' (p77). He gets a terrible table and describes the crowd as being full of 'prep school jerks and college jerks' (p76). An ex-girlfriend of D.B.'s, Lillian Simmons, recognises Holden but rather than stay and speak to her, Holden leaves.

Analysis

The touchy Horwitz provides Holden with his most meaningful conversation so far in the novel. The conversation is important symbolically. Think of the frozen lagoon as being a metaphor for how Holden feels. He feels as though everything that is important in his life is no longer there for him. In many ways the ducks represent his need to get away. Horwitz's concern for the fish could be taken as being a more accurate description of Holden's situation. He seems to be stuck in his loneliness in New York. You could also argue that Horwitz merely misunderstands the meaning and adds to Holden's self-image as misunderstood youth.

The remainder of the chapter revolves around Holden's experience at Ernie's. His distaste for 'Joe Yale-looking' (p78) people and his statement that he would not 'go to one of those Ivy League colleges if I was dying' (p78) can be taken to be an indication of his lack of drive. Further, his claim that 'all those Ivy league bastards look alike.'(p78) may indicate that he is, like many adolescents, seeking to be an individual.

It is interesting that when Lillian asks Holden to join her and her boyfriend, he refuses, passing up the opportunity of his first genuine social interaction. Consider Holden's motives. It seems as though he is craving social interaction and acceptance. He does not call any of his friends or family, however, and instead he calls Faith Cavendish - a woman he does not know. While he asks anonymous people and cab drivers to join him for a drink he does not want to have a drink with somebody he knows. Holden seems to want to distance himself from everybody he knows. This is either because he is trying to be somebody he is not, or because he is ashamed of who he is. There is some evidence that he is ashamed of being kicked out of Pencey, including not telling Mrs Morrow his real name.

Chapter 13

Holden walks back to the hotel from Ernie's and on the walk ponders his courage. He decides that 'Maybe I'm not all yellow' (p81). He decides that if someone were to steal his gloves then he would probably yell at the culprit but would not hit them. Maurice, the elevator man, offers Holden a prostitute for five dollars, which Holden accepts on impulse. While waiting for Sunny to arrive Holden frantically thinks of all his close-to-sexual encounters and in a moment of pure honesty admits that he is a virgin. When Sunny is arrived, he cannot go through with it and lies about an injury to his 'chlavichord' (a medieval keyboard instrument - much like a piano), and pays her five dollars even though she demands ten.

Analysis

Holden's internal conversation that questions his cowardice results in the conclusion that he does not have the courage to hit anybody. This could easily be seen as a direct contradiction to the Stradlater fight. On the other hand, the reader could take it to mean that Holden can hit somebody on impulse, such as Stradlater, but when he is forced to consider the options lacks the strength of his convictions.

This second interpretation fits in with the events that follow in this chapter. Although Holden has decided that he 'just wanted to get it over and done with' (p84), when Sunny arrives he sees her actions as 'crude'. Part of the problem for Holden is that he is over-analysing the situation. He is not interested in sex but is busy analysing what Sunny's life is like and feeling sorry for her. Sunny is only interested in the money.

His naivetc with sex is emphasised through the honesty with which he explains his information on the subject. It is interesting to note that while Holden has not been honest about his virginity he has never really directly lied about it. His attitude towards sex is yet another contradiction in his mind. While he states that 'You don't always have to get too sexy to get to know a girl' (p69) he is also preoccupied with sex. He calls Faith Cavendish, tries to flirt with the girls in the Wicker Bar and invites Sunny to his room. His lack of conviction is a barrier to this part of adulthood.