Chapter 19-20

Even though Holden continues to make poor decisions throughout the book, I think he is changing. When Holden becomes drunk after Luce leaves, he calls Sally. Although Sally hangs up on him it seems to me that Holden is trying to find someone that will listen to his troubles and understand why he acts different. The fact that Holden is taking Phoebe's perspective and figuring out that Phoebe would be sad if he died is also proof that Holden is beginning to change.

Connecting with Characters

It is very clear that the loss of Allie has bothered Holden throughout the book and led to careless actions affecting the people around him. Holden said that Allie was terrifically intelligent and also was the nicest person. Holden tries to connect with Allie throughout the book by wearing a red hunting hat which connects to Allie's red hair. In my opinion, the red hunting hat let's Holden feel isolated from all the worries and troubles he faces and let's him remember things about Allie.

Poem (Phonies and Jane)

"Grand. There's a word I really hate. It's phony. I could puke every time I hear it."
A lot of things are phony
Everyone is a phony
I am a phony
I talk like an adult but I'm just a teenager
I buy drinks and call up hookers
Even though I end up not doing anything with her
I act like something I'm not
I just can't realize that everyone including me is a phony
What is a phony?
Do I even know what it means?
If I do, why can't I understand that I am a phony
Maybe I don't know what it means
Maybe I am just being complicated
Why am I calling up hookers when all I want is Jane?
Jane is good looking
Jane is a good listener
Jane understands me and gets me
If Jane was by my side, would everything be alright?
Would I start being myself?
I want Jane
I need Jane

Quote Analysis

Chapter 17:
"Take most people, they're crazy about cars. They worry if they get a little scratch on them, and they're always talking about how many miles they get to a gallon, and if they get a brand-new car already they start thinking about trading it in for one that's even newer. I don't even like old cars. I mean they don't even interest me. I'd rather have a goddam horse. A horse is at least human, for God's sake."

Holden is trying to say that he doesn't want to be like everyone else. He wants to be different and unique in his own way. Just because everyone else is doing a certain thing, it does not apply to him.

When Holden talks about the horse, he also states the fact that he is not materialistic like other people. Holden prefers something that has more meaning, such as life or human being.