Chapters 20-23

Chapter 20

Holden remains at the Wicker Bar and gets very drunk. Holden, for the second time, pretends to be shot. Again, he is not 'in the mood' to call Jane and instead calls Sally, who realises that he is drunk and tells him to call in the morning. He leaves the Wicker Bar and while he sobers up finds himself extremely cold. He heads towards Central Park and on the way drops Phoebe's record, which breaks into pieces. He sits by the lagoon, where the ducks are when it is not winter, and contemplates dying. He remembers Allie's funeral and is glad that Phoebe probably would not attend his own as she would be too young. Holden then decides to go and see Phoebe.

Analysis

Holden is becoming extremely emotional. This is particularly demonstrated through his reaction to the broken record which is almost to have a break-down. A sense of death has been running through the novel and his discussion of dying from pneumonia demonstrates some of his feelings towards it. Even though he is thinking that he may die from pneumonia, he does not seek refuge from the cold. It is the thought of Phoebe that eventually prompts him to move.

Chapter 21

Holden sneaks into Phoebe's room. He takes delight in the fact that she uses D.B.'s large bed so that she can spread out, 'That kills me. What's old Phoebe got to spread out? Nothing.' (p143) and also in reading her school exercise books, particularly the fact that she uses Weatherfield as a middle name instead of Josephine. Phoebe is excited about a play that she will be in. Phoebe is distressed at the news that Holden has been expelled from another school and when he tells her that he is going to run away to Colorado she puts her head under the pillow and refuses to talk to him.

Analysis

This is the first chapter in which Holden is not cynical and does not criticise everything. Where previously in the novel he has been quick to point out people's faults and phoniness, he takes delight in Phoebe's inconsistencies. Phoebe is the only character so far that Holden has treated with this respect. As a result, this chapter serves to emphasise the value that Holden places on childhood. While children might be just as 'phony' as adults, in pretending to have other names and feeling the need for a bigger bed, it is the adult pretension that annoys Holden. Particularly refreshing for Holden is the informal and affectionate greeting that Phoebe gives him 'Holden!...Whenja get home?' (p146)

Notice, also, that as Holden finally feels comfortable he also considers the option of getting caught by his parents. Holden 'finally quit worrying about whether they'd catch me at home or not.' (p147). After telling Phoebe that he has been expelled from Pencey, she tells him that 'Daddy'll kill you!' (p149) and Holden reverts to his erratic desire to run away from rather than face his problems. This time he has a friend whose grandfather owns a ranch in Colorado.

Chapter 22

Holden tries to explain to Phoebe why he was expelled from Pencey. He tries to explain to her that all the students were 'phony' and mean but ends up admitting that he 'can't explain' (p152). Phoebe challenges him to name one thing that he likes. Holden struggles and becomes distracted. All he can think about is the two nuns, a boy from Elkton Hills, James Castle, who killed himself, and Allie. He finally tells Phoebe that he likes Allie and also that he likes talking to Phoebe but Phoebe thinks that neither of those two things count. In response to Phoebe's suggestion that he should become a lawyer, Holden outlines quite honestly his problems. He explains that the main problem with growing up is how you would know if you 'weren't being a phony? The trouble is you wouldn't' (p155). Phoebe does not understand. Holden then tells her that he would like to be 'the catcher in the rye'. This is a purely fantastical occupation, in which Holden imagines that there are children playing in a field of rye but they are in danger of falling off a cliff. Holden wants to be the person who stops them from falling.

Analysis

There are two very interesting points to notice about Phoebe in this chapter. Firstly, although she is only nine years old, she can see, very simply, Holden's problem. Compare her simplistic understanding of Holden's problem with the more complex version of Mr Antoloni in Chapter 24. Which do you think has more impact on Holden? Consider Holden's reaction to Phoebe's question about what things he likes. Even Holden can see that he does not like much. Secondly, although she is astute enough to see what Holden's problems are, she cannot understand his ramblings. When Holden is trying to explain his idea about phonies and the catcher in the rye, Phoebe's only response is that 'Daddy's going to kill you' (p155-156)

Consider also the things that Holden thinks about when he is trying to think of things that he likes. He hardly knows the nuns or James Castle and Allie is dead. You could think of his sentimentality for people he does not know as being because the better Holden knows someone the more faults he can see. The nuns are an obvious symbol of purity. Allie, having never reached adulthood, will always be pure and innocent in Holden's mind. The inclusion of James Castle seems to follow on with the theme of suicide that has permeated the last few chapters.

Chapter 23

Holden calls an ex-teacher of his from Elkton. Mr Antolini, apart from being 'about the best teacher' (p157) that Holden ever had, is also the teacher who carried James Castle away after he jumped from the window. Holden then dances with Phoebe. It is quite easy to imagine how Holden would react to seeing another person dancing with a child, but Holden enjoys himself. When he hears his parents come home he hides in the closet and listens to the conversation between his mother and Phoebe. He then borrows money from Phoebe. This is her Christmas money and it makes him cry. This 'scared the hell out of old Phoebe' (p161). Holden gives Phoebe his red hunting hat. As he sneaks out of the apartment he 'almost wished' (p162) that his parents would catch him.

Analysis

It is sad as a responder to see that Holden can only open up to a child. This is by far the closest and most meaningful relationship that Holden has exhibited so far in the novel. The fact that he is forced to borrow money from Phoebe, a nine year old girl, is also sad. Why do you think Holden starts crying? Is it simply because he is reduced to borrowing money from a child, because he feels as though he may not see Phoebe again or because of her generosity and the trust in Holden that this generosity demonstrates? Certainly there have been no other characters in the novel who have trusted Holden's motives or actions.

Another important question to consider is why Holden gives Phoebe the red hat. Holden claims that it is simply because 'she likes those kind of crazy hats' (p 162). It could also represent a resolve on his part to shed the insanity. This would be supported by his wish that his parents would catch him. It could also be that the hat represents the adult world and that Holden is trying to share his life with Phoebe.