In J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfied and his ten-year-old sister Phoebe share a deep connection, having dealt with the loss of their deceased brother Allie and the loss of their living mother. A contrast to his unstable mental state, his strong love for Phoebe is unchanging even while he struggles to find a purpose in life and overcome his depression. While Holden attempts to shelter Phoebe from his perception of adulthood, she in turn helps Holden accept loss of innocence as a key element in maturing.
Even though he alienates himself from the world, Holden desperately wants company, especially a heartfelt conversation. Holden observes phonies all around him, and wishes to be unaffiliated from them, seeing them as …show more content…
Whenever he mentions Phoebe, he always describes her in a positive light. In a world where he criticizes everyone else, Holden exempts Phoebe from his harsh judgement. Holden dreams of life parallel to that of the Museum of Natural history, one where “everything always stayed right where it was” (121). Holden applies the same unchanging concept towards Phoebe. Currently, she is an innocent girl and Holden wants to save her from the dangers of the adult world. He does not want to see her be assimilated into society by growing up and developing the same phoniness he observes around him. Thus, when Phoebe commands Holden to shut up, Holden feels as if he gets shot in the stomach. Phoebe is changing and Holden cannot do anything about it. Later, Holden decides he wants to flee his old life. The moment Phoebe tells him she wants to follow him, Holden panics and almost faints. Although he seeks a new chance, he does not want Phoebe to lose her childhood because of him. In return, Phoebe cries with dismay, and Holden takes her to the carousel, triggering memories of Phoebe loving the carousel. While Phoebe complains that she is too old to ride the carousel, Holden insists on her riding. As Phoebe rides the carousel, she attempts to grab the gold ring. Despite his conscience telling him to warn her to not grab it, Holden realizes “if they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them” (211). At the same time Holden wants to preserve Phoebe’s youth, Phoebe helps Holden realize that he should not shelter her from losing her innocence forever. While Holden should savor the past, he should not let the past restrain him from experiencing the thrills of life. As a result, Holden finally views his depression as an issue and goes to an institution so that he can move on from his past and Allie’s death. Phoebe helps Holden overcome his struggle with accepting
Even though he alienates himself from the world, Holden desperately wants company, especially a heartfelt conversation. Holden observes phonies all around him, and wishes to be unaffiliated from them, seeing them as …show more content…
Whenever he mentions Phoebe, he always describes her in a positive light. In a world where he criticizes everyone else, Holden exempts Phoebe from his harsh judgement. Holden dreams of life parallel to that of the Museum of Natural history, one where “everything always stayed right where it was” (121). Holden applies the same unchanging concept towards Phoebe. Currently, she is an innocent girl and Holden wants to save her from the dangers of the adult world. He does not want to see her be assimilated into society by growing up and developing the same phoniness he observes around him. Thus, when Phoebe commands Holden to shut up, Holden feels as if he gets shot in the stomach. Phoebe is changing and Holden cannot do anything about it. Later, Holden decides he wants to flee his old life. The moment Phoebe tells him she wants to follow him, Holden panics and almost faints. Although he seeks a new chance, he does not want Phoebe to lose her childhood because of him. In return, Phoebe cries with dismay, and Holden takes her to the carousel, triggering memories of Phoebe loving the carousel. While Phoebe complains that she is too old to ride the carousel, Holden insists on her riding. As Phoebe rides the carousel, she attempts to grab the gold ring. Despite his conscience telling him to warn her to not grab it, Holden realizes “if they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them” (211). At the same time Holden wants to preserve Phoebe’s youth, Phoebe helps Holden realize that he should not shelter her from losing her innocence forever. While Holden should savor the past, he should not let the past restrain him from experiencing the thrills of life. As a result, Holden finally views his depression as an issue and goes to an institution so that he can move on from his past and Allie’s death. Phoebe helps Holden overcome his struggle with accepting