Despite Holden Caulfield’s abundance of struggles, his younger sister Phoebe manages to level his head whenever he is around her. As a result, her minor character emphasizes the distinctive traits of said protagonist. Phoebe Caulfield instills in Holden the desire for innocence and purity within those among him. Phoebe is described as pretty and extraordinarily smart. Whenever Holden discusses Phoebe, he has nice things to say about her and he looks up to her personality. Even her qualities that could be considered negative to some, he turns into positivity. She is the nice version of the bad things in life. We receive an insight as to who Holden really is through the interactions he has with Phoebe. It is evident that he is very fond of
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He wants to drop a note off so he does not leave her with curiosity as to where he is and because he respects her too much to just pick up and leave. He only does this because of the traits she retains. While there Holden finds a swear word written on a wall. He immediately “thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it and how they’d wonder what the hell it meant, and then finally some dirty kid would tell them – all cockeyed, naturally – what it meant, and how they’d think about it and maybe even worry about it for a couple of days” (Salinger 201). This clearly shows how touchy Holden is about sheltering little children from the inappropriate subjects that are evident in teenage and adult lives. When he explains how he wants to be the catcher in the rye he is actually aiming to protect children from drugs, alcohol, swearing, sex, and all things deemed unsuitable for a child. This is represented in the cliff that children will run and fall off of. However, eventually they will experience those topics just like Holden did himself. By saving the children he is redeeming their virtue and wholesomeness. He is offended by the vulgar writing because his uncontaminated sister could possibly see it and become curious which would spiral downhill in her life. Despite this, Holden is an avid swearer and does not watch his language or behavior in public. Only when the traits of Phoebe and plenty of other young children are in mind he sensor society and how he reasonably
He wants to drop a note off so he does not leave her with curiosity as to where he is and because he respects her too much to just pick up and leave. He only does this because of the traits she retains. While there Holden finds a swear word written on a wall. He immediately “thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it and how they’d wonder what the hell it meant, and then finally some dirty kid would tell them – all cockeyed, naturally – what it meant, and how they’d think about it and maybe even worry about it for a couple of days” (Salinger 201). This clearly shows how touchy Holden is about sheltering little children from the inappropriate subjects that are evident in teenage and adult lives. When he explains how he wants to be the catcher in the rye he is actually aiming to protect children from drugs, alcohol, swearing, sex, and all things deemed unsuitable for a child. This is represented in the cliff that children will run and fall off of. However, eventually they will experience those topics just like Holden did himself. By saving the children he is redeeming their virtue and wholesomeness. He is offended by the vulgar writing because his uncontaminated sister could possibly see it and become curious which would spiral downhill in her life. Despite this, Holden is an avid swearer and does not watch his language or behavior in public. Only when the traits of Phoebe and plenty of other young children are in mind he sensor society and how he reasonably