It is fascinating to see The Catcher in the Rye’s main theme being isolation. This is a man who has been leaking his secrets for over 200 pages. Holden Caulfield is a contradiction in every sense. It’s hard to decide if he wants to get his friends together and have a few drinks, or if he needs to escape to the woods for some Into the Wild-style escapism.
It’s just one example of the many narrative contradictions. Holden hates fakes but lies constantly, loathes Hollywood, but pretends to be the star of gangster movies, likes people but deliberately irritates them. He also complains about how everyone generalizes too much. Holden’s dominant narrative voice dominates the story making it difficult for anyone to see the whole picture. The Caulfield Perception Machine can be used to reverse engineer any information that comes in. Let’s examine Holden’s relationship with two of the most significant Catcher-in-the Rye characters.
Phoebe Caulfield
Holden Caulfield says Phoebe, his younger brother Allie who was also diagnosed with leukemia, is the second greatest human being. Her sibling is the smartest, prettiest and most superlative-y person a person can ask for. What does all this mean? There is no proof. This is a nuanced way to approach the brother-sister relation:
Exhibit A Phoebe takes Holden seriously. Holden claims he will. “hitch hike out west,”Phoebe takes her bag with her, sneaks it into the building and lugs it around all day. She then meets Holden at the museum, complete with his red hunting cap and everything except the escape car. That is a far cry from the reception Holden received when he asked Sally to go with him. Holden succeeds in running but not in the right direction. It’s not that Holden would run away with Sally, although that is possible. However, virtually everyone thinks Holden is an idiot and tells him that. Phoebe (and we) both know this to be the case.
Exhibit A: Phoebe gives Holden stuff. It may not sound like much, except for the fact that Phoebe is the only character in the novel who gives Holden stuff. Holden lends and gives things constantly to his friends, even though they don’t often give back much in the way of a thank you. The first ten chapters – which include 26 – show Holden getting screwed of a coat. An essay. A typewriter. Thirteen dollars of alcohol. Phoebe is a different story. She not only expresses immense gratitude for Holden’s gifts, but also keeps the broken pieces of his record safe in a drawer.Holden also gets her Christmas savings and she lends Holden his hunting hat back when he feels blue. A 10-year-old shows kindness and generosity that is more than a prep school full of entitled teens.
Exhibit B:Phoebe loves to hear all about Holden, even though she does not want to. Holden is averse to people like this “never notice anything,”He’s so engaged in making great behavioral and emotional observations on everyone he meets that they don’t have time to think about anyone else but them. Phoebe wants to find out when Holden is arriving, where he’s at, what’s going on, if he will be coming to see her perform, why he arrived so early, and which classes he failed. Holden, even though she thinks she is crazy, still comes to her rescue. “could tell by the back of her neck that she was listening. She always listens when you tell her something.”Plus, she is the only one to pay enough attention for him to be expelled from school. It’s not bad for a 10 year old to do some sleuthing.
Jane Gallagher
Jane, aside from Allie is the most intriguingly mysterious figure in the novel. Holden often thinks of Jane, but she doesn’t make an appearance in The Catcher in the Rye. While Holden is cautious not to give too many details about Jane, it’s clear that he enjoys her. Perhaps even loves her. Let’s look at the evidence.
Exhibit AHolden is not able to get too sexually involved with her. According to his perspective on sex, i.e. His philosophy on sex (i.e., sex is intrinsically degrading) states that he only sexualizes women he doesn’t like. You may remember the pretty but stupid dancer with amazing butt. “twitched so nice and all”What do you think? Oder Holden’s Luntz-loving and name-dropping friend with Holden? “little blue butt-twitcher of a dress”?? (Apparently, it is his type. Jane, on the other hand, is sexualized by Holden when he reveals that she has an a “terrific figure,”But he does not divulge this information as he believes her step-dad sexually abuses Jane. Holden admits that Jane is being ignored throughout this whole affair. “madman stuff,”But, keep in mind the main word “in” “respectful distance”It is “respectful.”
Exhibit A:Jane always keeps her kings at the back row. This is so important. Holden doesn’t think so, but it is a sign of their dynamic. Holden believes that the most important things to know about Holden are her love of golf and checkers, her willingness to share her thoughts with us, her great sense of humor, her ability to be close to people, her poor drinking habits, and her red sweater. “knocked him out.”Holden is driven to the wall by knowing that Stradlater gives no damn what she thinks about this.
Exhibit B: Holden doesn’t complain about Jane. None. Holden also complains about practically everything except Allie. Even Phoebe “can be very snotty sometimes,”Jane is a victim of Jane’s negligence, but he seems to be suspiciously silent when it comes. That’s a lot coming from Holden.