On page 164 of the novel Holden, in speaking with his beloved sister Phoebe, scolds her saying, "That isn't nice, what are you-- a child for God's sake?". What is peculiar aboout this?
Question #6 Post #2 “I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.”(Pg. 173) This quote represents one of the narrator’s motives. It is also the career that Holden chose for himself: The catcher in the rye. He hates adult life and admires children and their innocence. By being the catcher in the rye, his job would be to stop kids from entering the adult world. By doing this, he would protect their innocence as well. This can be considered as his goal. He wants to save children from losing their innocence and stop them from entering the life which he considers “phony”. His remark on page 164 is strange because he forgot that Phoebe is a child. In this statement, he seems to be telling Phoebe to grow up and quit being a child. This is ironic because he wants to save children from losing their innocence and prevent them from maturing, yet he is accusing Phoebe of being a child.
This is preposterous because Phoebe Caulfield is INDEED a child and Holden recognizes this as proven by when he mentions“…she’s only a little child and all” on page 172. The reason he asks her such a ridiculous question anyway is because Phoebe had “put ink and stuff”(p.164) all over a fellow student’s jacket, which is indeed a childish act. However, Holden holds his sister on a much higher pedestal than regular children, which may influence his expectations, judgements, and views on her. Examples of this include him mentioning “she’s very neat, for a child” (p.159) and that “if you don’t think she’s smart, you’re mad.”(p.165) She also displayed intelligence and maturity by deducing that Holden got kicked out of Pencey when she realized he got home earlier than he should have.
Despite being six years younger than her brother, Miss Caulfield seems to understand that growing up is necessary and has even noticed her brother’s reluctance to the aforementioned process. She challenges Holden’s cynicism by stating he “didn’t like anything that’s happening” and asking him to name one thing he did like.(p.169) When Holden finally said he’d like to “just be the catcher in the rye and all”(p.173), Phoebe seemed to have ignored him. This displays that such a thing may seem, even to her, a child, a fantasized vision that Holden can’t or won’t let go of. Taking into consideration her precociousness and concern for him, it seemed to me towards the end of the novel as if the reason she wanted to “hitchhike out west”(p.200) with her brother was not so much because she needed him, but perhaps because she recognized that he needed her.
On page 164, Holden notices that his adored sister had “this big hunk of adhesive tape on her elbow”. After Phoebe explains to him the series of events that led to her injury, she tells him that she and Selma Atterbury put ink all over another boy’s windbreaker. Shockingly, Holden’s reaction is one we’ve never seen before: “That isn’t nice. What are you--a child, for God’s sake?” This scene is in fact peculiar on several levels.
Throughout the novel, Holden constantly praises Phoebe telling us how she’s the smartest kid he knows. As seen on page 67, “You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart (…) you’d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you’re talking about...” readers get the feeling that he loves and cherishes his little sister more than anything in the world. The fact that Holden demeans her by accusing her of acting like a child is odd.
When Holden speaks about Phoebe, he says she’s extremely mature for her age, and that he can take her anywhere. She understands things most kids her age wouldn’t, even movies. (Page 67) Holden says she’s very neat for a child, (Page 159), which also indicates a level of maturity.
We know Holden as a teenager who doesn’t necessarily act his age. He acts in childish manners, yet accuses his ten year old sister for acting immature. Phoebe IS in fact a child. The phrase “The pot calling the kettle black” comes to mind for the ironic aspect. Holden is guilty of the very thing he is pointing out; immaturity.
What makes this so peculiar is that Holden would not normally display such an aggressive behavior towards Phoebe, seeing as he loves her so dearly. A phrase from page 67 is: "You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life."
He has such affection toward her, though when she divulges an anecdote of how she and her friend poured ink all over a boy's windbreaker at school, he oddly says: "That isn't nice, what are you-- a child for God's sake?" This spawns confusion due to the fact that yes, Phoebe IS in fact, a child. Also because of the fact that Holden is so resentful at the idea of adults and loves children; why would he say "a child for God's sake?" using "child" as a negative thing?
Yet another incomprehensible, bipolar outbreak from Holden Caulfield, lady's and gentlemen!
As Holden and Phoebe were talking Holden says “That isn’t nice, what are you—a child for God’s sake. “ This quote is strange coming from Holden because he respects the innocence of a child. For example, on page 173 when Holden says he wants to be a catcher in the rye- he wants to save children who fall over the edge. This is so ironic coming from Holden because in his actions and conversations he doesn’t want to grow up, but just now he tells his sister to grow up. This is odd because he always talks highly about his sister for example on page 67 “She understands things most kids her age wouldn’t, even movies.” He also says “You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart (…) you’d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you’re talking about...”. Throughout the novel I was surprised when Holden when he told his sister to grow up.
Response #1 Question #6 Response to Ariana Lazaris' post...
What Ms Lazaris stated in her post is--in my opinion--true. Phoebe is indeed a child but regardless of her age, she holds a maturity greater than that of her peers which would make her a little more beyond her time. Displaying that level of anachronism would make her less of a child than one would give her credit for. Therefor, Phoebe's age is but a mere number that does not define her character or her thought process. Calling her a child would be peculiar seeing as her age defines her as one, but her level of maturity says otherwise. Holden puts her up on a pedestal and calling her a child would only be degrading, considering the amount of praise he gives her, as Ariana stated.
Holden, being a teenager with the mindset of a child shows his hypocrisy when calling Phoebe a child seeing as his level of immaturity is greater than that of hers. An example of his immaturity would be when he says he likes to horse around. Like the time he got bored "sitting on the washbowl" and started tap dancing "for the hell of it" (29) or when he jumped off the washbowl and got Stradlater in a half nelson on page 30. The aforementioned things he does can be compared and can be equivalent to what Phoebe did with Selma which would be them putting ink all over a boy's windbreaker. Like Ms Lazaris said: "The Pot calling the Kettle black" is an excellent quote that relates to the situation in question.
All in all, Holden calling Phoebe a child is peculiar in three ways: Phoebe is indeed a child according to her age, Holden calling Phoebe a child is degrading seeing as he praises her level of maturity and he himself is but an immature child at heart.
Although I agree with the gist of Ariana's and Marina's posts, I have to disagree that Holden is degrading Phoebe by calling her a child. Holden constantly compliments her on her maturity, her intellect and so on and so forth. Like Marina mentioned, Phoebe has always been on a pedestal in Holden's eyes.
However, when Phoebe speaks to Holden about putting ink all over Curtis Weintraub's windbreaker, he asks her: "[...]What are you--a child, for God’s sake?” . Calling a child a child is not meant to be degrading, though I understand that his tone of saying it had everything to do with it. Again, Phoebe has always been on that pedestal, and for one moment, Holden takes it away, and sees that Phoebe IS a child. Reading this bit, I realized that Holden was taking the 'brotherly role'; he was being mature (One could even see this as Holden saving a child from falling off the cliff, fulfilling his duty as the Catcher in the Rye). Would he truly be mature if he had said: "Well done Phoebs, how's 'bout I tag along next time?", the answer is no. Holden was right in correcting her. Although the comment WAS said in a provoking manner and could be interpreted in many ways, one being that Holden displays true maturity at this moment.
Response #2 Question #6 (My 5th comment in total) Response to Zainab
I agree with Zainab that Holden finally takes Phoebe off the pedestal for a moment, and realizes that she is just a child, but I have to disagree that he was doing it to degrade her.
When Holden talks to Phoebe, we see a softer, more tender side of Holden which displays Holden’s love for Phoebe. I do not think Holden’s tone is mean when he says, “What are you-a child, for God's sake?” on page 164 because before that he corrects her by saying “That isn't nice.” I think he said that in concern for his sister’s wrongdoing.
What I find peculiar about this is that Holden’s comment is very adult-like and mature as opposed to all his childish and immature actions we are used to seeing. I agree with Zainab that this may be a way of him saving a child from falling off a cliff.
While reading Zainab's response, my interpretation of Holden's comment changed. When I first read this part in the novel, I thought what the others did, which was that Holden saying this was extremely odd and that he was putting Phoebe down. Thanks to Zainab, I now see this in a whole new way and feel like this was more of Holden coming to realize that Phoebe still is a child and that she is allowed to act like one. He's learning that by placing Phoebe on a pedestal like he has, he is expecting too much from his younger sister, which really isn't fair to her at all.
Basically, though Holden's wording when telling Phoebe that she was 'being childish' was rather harsh, I don't think that he said this to spite her at all. Holden probably did not even think about how this would affect his sister, I believe that he simply came to a realization in his mind and voiced it out loud.
RESPONSE #1 to Ariana’s post I agree with Ariana when she states that it is indeed ironic that Holden accuses Phoebe of being immature when he himself isn’t exactly the most mature teen around. However, what I think was most surprising about this statement was not that Holden once again showed his usual hypocrisy, but the fact that he reprimanded the Exalted and Revered Phoebe. After all, Phoebe is near perfect in Holden’s eyes – Holden reminds us of this all the time, saying, “You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life” (67) and “If you don’t think she’s smart, you’re mad” (165) as well as, “ [...] she’s funny as hell” (175). When Phoebe mentions that she and another friend spilled ‘ink and stuff’ on Curtis Weintraub’s windbreaker, Holden replies with, “That isn’t nice. What are you – a child for God’s sake?” This statement itself is an act of hypocrisy on Holden’s behalf. Although Holden dislikes adults because the majority of them are phonies, he automatically assumed the role of a mature adult by scolding Phoebe for doing something wrong- in Holden’s eyes, acting like a child. After reading this, one gets the notion that the tables have turned (at least for the time being) – that Holden matures and grows up to view children as immature wrong-doers. This is ironic because as Ariana stated, Holden doesn’t always act his age and is just as guilty of immaturity as Phoebe is, perhaps even more so because although Holden fails to acknowledge it, Phoebe IS a child, whereas he is a teenager who should (but doesn’t always) know better. The pot calling the kettle black, indeed. - Faria
I think that Holden says that to her because he doesn't see her as a child. Holden does consider her his kid sister and will always take that into account, but Phoebe is the one person that Holden can relate to and be himself around. I think that Holden places a great deal of focus and importance on the bond they have and that sometimes makes him forget that his best friend in the world isn't a kid in one of his classes but rather a younger sibling.
Maybe that's why when she behaves like a child he adresses the situation as if she was one. Holden loves his sister and feels like she's a part of him. He doesn't see her as a child, so it just flat out surprised when she acts like one.
Response #2 to Nikki’s post. Nikki demonstrated Holden’s love for Phoebe and made it clear that it wasn’t ordinary for him to scold her for saying something. I completely agree with Nikki because Phoebe is in fact a child. Also, the fact that Holden says things hat are so bipolar and hypocritical is very true. Holden is a complex character and it is very difficult to understand why he says the things he does. Nikki explained his relationship with Phoebe and the fact that he respects the innocence of a child so the question is why on earth would he say that?
Post 1 Question 6 The sentence Holden said to Phoebe was very strange in a way. First of all, Holden thinks the world of her and even in a time when he should be the victim for being kicked out of school, he feels it's his responsibility teach her the ways and to scold her for her behaviour. Maybe in that moment, Holden wanted to feel as though he did the right thing and try to at least be the older brother she could look up to. Even though Holden's somewhat violent side came out we know that Phoebe was not at all affected by the way she quickly changed the subject to "How come you're not home Wednesday?". This also demonstrates that she is more worried for Holden rather than her own actions because of the love she has for him. Secondly, Phoebe is a child but Holden does not see her as being one. Holden always thought of her in a similar level as himself because Holden is simply immature. Phoebe is still a child and has the time to mature while Holden on the other hand just doesn't want to grow up. Holden kind of needs Phoebe to feel like a kid, to still have innocence." I felt swell for a change. I didn't even feel like i was getting pneumonia or anything. I just felt good, for a change". Just having the presence of Phoebe helps him forget his own problems which show he too, has great affection for her. -Christopher Wong
I partly agree with Adrian in the sense that he feels that she is well beyond her years, she is a very intellectual and she happens to be one of the few people with whom Holden can really relate. But, what if it may also be that Holden doesn’t want to see her seeming that old because it would technically make him even older. For example in the situation with Luce it would not really be seen as sexual curiosity even immaturity but if he was “older” then it would be downright wrong, even with his failing from school if he was older then he would not run from the reality and he would be more serious in the face of his future. ~Justin
Question #6 Post #2
ReplyDelete“I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.”(Pg. 173) This quote represents one of the narrator’s motives. It is also the career that Holden chose for himself: The catcher in the rye. He hates adult life and admires children and their innocence. By being the catcher in the rye, his job would be to stop kids from entering the adult world. By doing this, he would protect their innocence as well. This can be considered as his goal. He wants to save children from losing their innocence and stop them from entering the life which he considers “phony”.
His remark on page 164 is strange because he forgot that Phoebe is a child. In this statement, he seems to be telling Phoebe to grow up and quit being a child. This is ironic because he wants to save children from losing their innocence and prevent them from maturing, yet he is accusing Phoebe of being a child.
Post #3 Question #6
ReplyDeleteThis is preposterous because Phoebe Caulfield is INDEED a child and Holden recognizes this as proven by when he mentions“…she’s only a little child and all” on page 172. The reason he asks her such a ridiculous question anyway is because Phoebe had “put ink and stuff”(p.164) all over a fellow student’s jacket, which is indeed a childish act. However, Holden holds his sister on a much higher pedestal than regular children, which may influence his expectations, judgements, and views on her. Examples of this include him mentioning “she’s very neat, for a child” (p.159) and that “if you don’t think she’s smart, you’re mad.”(p.165) She also displayed intelligence and maturity by deducing that Holden got kicked out of Pencey when she realized he got home earlier than he should have.
Despite being six years younger than her brother, Miss Caulfield seems to understand that growing up is necessary and has even noticed her brother’s reluctance to the aforementioned process. She challenges Holden’s cynicism by stating he “didn’t like anything that’s happening” and asking him to name one thing he did like.(p.169) When Holden finally said he’d like to “just be the catcher in the rye and all”(p.173), Phoebe seemed to have ignored him. This displays that such a thing may seem, even to her, a child, a fantasized vision that Holden can’t or won’t let go of. Taking into consideration her precociousness and concern for him, it seemed to me towards the end of the novel as if the reason she wanted to “hitchhike out west”(p.200) with her brother was not so much because she needed him, but perhaps because she recognized that he needed her.
POST #2 QUESTION #6
ReplyDeleteOn page 164, Holden notices that his adored sister had “this big hunk of adhesive tape on her elbow”. After Phoebe explains to him the series of events that led to her injury, she tells him that she and Selma Atterbury put ink all over another boy’s windbreaker. Shockingly, Holden’s reaction is one we’ve never seen before: “That isn’t nice. What are you--a child, for God’s sake?” This scene is in fact peculiar on several levels.
Throughout the novel, Holden constantly praises Phoebe telling us how she’s the smartest kid he knows. As seen on page 67, “You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart (…) you’d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you’re talking about...” readers get the feeling that he loves and cherishes his little sister more than anything in the world. The fact that Holden demeans her by accusing her of acting like a child is odd.
When Holden speaks about Phoebe, he says she’s extremely mature for her age, and that he can take her anywhere. She understands things most kids her age wouldn’t, even movies. (Page 67) Holden says she’s very neat for a child, (Page 159), which also indicates a level of maturity.
We know Holden as a teenager who doesn’t necessarily act his age. He acts in childish manners, yet accuses his ten year old sister for acting immature. Phoebe IS in fact a child. The phrase “The pot calling the kettle black” comes to mind for the ironic aspect. Holden is guilty of the very thing he is pointing out; immaturity.
-Ariana
Post #2, Question 6
ReplyDeleteWhat makes this so peculiar is that Holden would not normally display such an aggressive behavior towards Phoebe, seeing as he loves her so dearly. A phrase from page 67 is: "You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life."
He has such affection toward her, though when she divulges an anecdote of how she and her friend poured ink all over a boy's windbreaker at school, he oddly says: "That isn't nice, what are you-- a child for God's sake?" This spawns confusion due to the fact that yes, Phoebe IS in fact, a child. Also because of the fact that Holden is so resentful at the idea of adults and loves children; why would he say "a child for God's sake?" using "child" as a negative thing?
Yet another incomprehensible, bipolar outbreak from Holden Caulfield, lady's and gentlemen!
-Nikki Marcolefas
Post #2 Question #2
ReplyDeleteAs Holden and Phoebe were talking Holden says “That isn’t nice, what are you—a child for God’s sake. “ This quote is strange coming from Holden because he respects the innocence of a child. For example, on page 173 when Holden says he wants to be a catcher in the rye- he wants to save children who fall over the edge. This is so ironic coming from Holden because in his actions and conversations he doesn’t want to grow up, but just now he tells his sister to grow up.
This is odd because he always talks highly about his sister for example on page 67 “She understands things most kids her age wouldn’t, even movies.” He also says “You should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life. She’s really smart (…) you’d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you’re talking about...”. Throughout the novel I was surprised when Holden when he told his sister to grow up.
-Cristina De Lauri
Response #1 Question #6
ReplyDeleteResponse to Ariana Lazaris' post...
What Ms Lazaris stated in her post is--in my opinion--true. Phoebe is indeed a child but regardless of her age, she holds a maturity greater than that of her peers which would make her a little more beyond her time. Displaying that level of anachronism would make her less of a child than one would give her credit for. Therefor, Phoebe's age is but a mere number that does not define her character or her thought process. Calling her a child would be peculiar seeing as her age defines her as one, but her level of maturity says otherwise. Holden puts her up on a pedestal and calling her a child would only be degrading, considering the amount of praise he gives her, as Ariana stated.
Holden, being a teenager with the mindset of a child shows his hypocrisy when calling Phoebe a child seeing as his level of immaturity is greater than that of hers. An example of his immaturity would be when he says he likes to horse around. Like the time he got bored "sitting on the washbowl" and started tap dancing "for the hell of it" (29) or when he jumped off the washbowl and got Stradlater in a half nelson on page 30. The aforementioned things he does can be compared and can be equivalent to what Phoebe did with Selma which would be them putting ink all over a boy's windbreaker. Like Ms Lazaris said: "The Pot calling the Kettle black" is an excellent quote that relates to the situation in question.
All in all, Holden calling Phoebe a child is peculiar in three ways: Phoebe is indeed a child according to her age, Holden calling Phoebe a child is degrading seeing as he praises her level of maturity and he himself is but an immature child at heart.
Post #2, Response #1: To Marina & Ariana
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with the gist of Ariana's and Marina's posts, I have to disagree that Holden is degrading Phoebe by calling her a child. Holden constantly compliments her on her maturity, her intellect and so on and so forth. Like Marina mentioned, Phoebe has always been on a pedestal in Holden's eyes.
However, when Phoebe speaks to Holden about putting ink all over Curtis Weintraub's windbreaker, he asks her: "[...]What are you--a child, for God’s sake?” .
Calling a child a child is not meant to be degrading, though I understand that his tone of saying it had everything to do with it. Again, Phoebe has always been on that pedestal, and for one moment, Holden takes it away, and sees that Phoebe IS a child. Reading this bit, I realized that Holden was taking the 'brotherly role'; he was being mature (One could even see this as Holden saving a child from falling off the cliff, fulfilling his duty as the Catcher in the Rye). Would he truly be mature if he had said: "Well done Phoebs, how's 'bout I tag along next time?", the answer is no. Holden was right in correcting her. Although the comment WAS said in a provoking manner and could be interpreted in many ways, one being that Holden displays true maturity at this moment.
Response #2 Question #6 (My 5th comment in total)
ReplyDeleteResponse to Zainab
I agree with Zainab that Holden finally takes Phoebe off the pedestal for a moment, and realizes that she is just a child, but I have to disagree that he was doing it to degrade her.
When Holden talks to Phoebe, we see a softer, more tender side of Holden which displays Holden’s love for Phoebe. I do not think Holden’s tone is mean when he says, “What are you-a child, for God's sake?” on page 164 because before that he corrects her by saying “That isn't nice.” I think he said that in concern for his sister’s wrongdoing.
What I find peculiar about this is that Holden’s comment is very adult-like and mature as opposed to all his childish and immature actions we are used to seeing. I agree with Zainab that this may be a way of him saving a child from falling off a cliff.
Response #1, Question #6 to Zainab's post
ReplyDeleteWhile reading Zainab's response, my interpretation of Holden's comment changed. When I first read this part in the novel, I thought what the others did, which was that Holden saying this was extremely odd and that he was putting Phoebe down. Thanks to Zainab, I now see this in a whole new way and feel like this was more of Holden coming to realize that Phoebe still is a child and that she is allowed to act like one. He's learning that by placing Phoebe on a pedestal like he has, he is expecting too much from his younger sister, which really isn't fair to her at all.
Basically, though Holden's wording when telling Phoebe that she was 'being childish' was rather harsh, I don't think that he said this to spite her at all. Holden probably did not even think about how this would affect his sister, I believe that he simply came to a realization in his mind and voiced it out loud.
RESPONSE #1 to Ariana’s post
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ariana when she states that it is indeed ironic that Holden accuses Phoebe of being immature when he himself isn’t exactly the most mature teen around. However, what I think was most surprising about this statement was not that Holden once again showed his usual hypocrisy, but the fact that he reprimanded the Exalted and Revered Phoebe. After all, Phoebe is near perfect in Holden’s eyes – Holden reminds us of this all the time, saying, “You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life” (67) and “If you don’t think she’s smart, you’re mad” (165) as well as, “ [...] she’s funny as hell” (175). When Phoebe mentions that she and another friend spilled ‘ink and stuff’ on Curtis Weintraub’s windbreaker, Holden replies with, “That isn’t nice. What are you – a child for God’s sake?” This statement itself is an act of hypocrisy on Holden’s behalf. Although Holden dislikes adults because the majority of them are phonies, he automatically assumed the role of a mature adult by scolding Phoebe for doing something wrong- in Holden’s eyes, acting like a child. After reading this, one gets the notion that the tables have turned (at least for the time being) – that Holden matures and grows up to view children as immature wrong-doers. This is ironic because as Ariana stated, Holden doesn’t always act his age and is just as guilty of immaturity as Phoebe is, perhaps even more so because although Holden fails to acknowledge it, Phoebe IS a child, whereas he is a teenager who should (but doesn’t always) know better. The pot calling the kettle black, indeed.
- Faria
I think that Holden says that to her because he doesn't see her as a child.
ReplyDeleteHolden does consider her his kid sister and will always take that into account, but Phoebe is the one person that Holden can relate to and be himself around. I think that Holden places a great deal of focus and importance on the bond they have and that sometimes makes him forget that his best friend in the world isn't a kid in one of his classes but rather a younger sibling.
Maybe that's why when she behaves like a child he adresses the situation as if she was one. Holden loves his sister and feels like she's a part of him. He doesn't see her as a child, so it just flat out surprised when she acts like one.
Response #2 to Nikki’s post.
ReplyDeleteNikki demonstrated Holden’s love for Phoebe and made it clear that it wasn’t ordinary for him to scold her for saying something. I completely agree with Nikki because Phoebe is in fact a child. Also, the fact that Holden says things hat are so bipolar and hypocritical is very true. Holden is a complex character and it is very difficult to understand why he says the things he does. Nikki explained his relationship with Phoebe and the fact that he respects the innocence of a child so the question is why on earth would he say that?
Post 1 Question 6
ReplyDeleteThe sentence Holden said to Phoebe was very strange in a way. First of all, Holden thinks the world of her and even in a time when he should be the victim for being kicked out of school, he feels it's his responsibility teach her the ways and to scold her for her behaviour. Maybe in that moment, Holden wanted to feel as though he did the right thing and try to at least be the older brother she could look up to. Even though Holden's somewhat violent side came out we know that Phoebe was not at all affected by the way she quickly changed the subject to "How come you're not home Wednesday?". This also demonstrates that she is more worried for Holden rather than her own actions because of the love she has for him.
Secondly, Phoebe is a child but Holden does not see her as being one. Holden always thought of her in a similar level as himself because Holden is simply immature. Phoebe is still a child and has the time to mature while Holden on the other hand just doesn't want to grow up. Holden kind of needs Phoebe to feel like a kid, to still have innocence." I felt swell for a change. I didn't even feel like i was getting pneumonia or anything. I just felt good, for a change". Just having the presence of Phoebe helps him forget his own problems which show he too, has great affection for her.
-Christopher Wong
Response #3 to Adrian's post Question #6
ReplyDeleteI partly agree with Adrian in the sense that he feels that she is well beyond her years, she is a very intellectual and she happens to be one of the few people with whom Holden can really relate. But, what if it may also be that Holden doesn’t want to see her seeming that old because it would technically make him even older. For example in the situation with Luce it would not really be seen as sexual curiosity even immaturity but if he was “older” then it would be downright wrong, even with his failing from school if he was older then he would not run from the reality and he would be more serious in the face of his future.
~Justin