The Catcher in the Rye #5

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

"She's very neat, for a child. I mean she doesn't just throw her stuff round, like some kids. She's no slob" (Salinger, 159).

Holden's relationship seems to be complicated based on the information Holden shares with the reader. He mostly complains about his parents and older brother while caring for his sister. The death of his brother has definitley rocked the relationship of his family where they are not comfortable together. I think this is partly why Holden seems to be acting out especially because he is gone away at school. One thought would be that Holden reminds his parents of his brother too much so they sent him away to a variety of boarding schools. Personally, if my family was as nervous and emotionally rattled like his family seems to be, I would want to go away from my family for a while. The other conflict Holden seems to be having with his family is with his sister growing up too fast. Holden quickly notes how Phoebe acts much more grown up when he goes home to see her. She is sleeping and living in D.B.'s room with all of the large furniture, she is neat, and she dresses like an adult. This hurts Holden knowing that she is ready to grow up faster than he is. Also, Holden notes how his mother is usually up in the middle of the night smoking because she is so nervous and can't sleep after his brother died. The reminder of his parent's struggling as adults does not coax Holden any more about being an adult. Overall, the stress and anxiety after Allie's death seems to keep the family from being close. This seems to be a main reason for Holden acting out and wanting to stay an ignorant kid.