The Catcher in the Rye Chapters 7-9

Holden’s Loneliness Never directly comments on his breakdown There is more to the story than Holden indicates Exhibits desperate behaviors –“I never discussed my personal life with him” (47) –Only mentions his behavior, no explanation for it Seeks companionship from Ackley Has no one to turn to –“I got to feeling so lonesome and rotten…” (50) –“I just didn’t want to hang around anymore. It made me too sad and lonesome” (51)

Jane Gallagher Holden’s preoccupation with her Can’t stand her with Stradlater –“I kept laying there in the dark anyway, though, trying not to think about old Jane and Stradlater in that goddamn Ed Banky’s car. But it was impossible” (49) She represents the past Holden wants to return to Wants to call her but doesn’t

Holden’s Departure “I was sort of crying. I don’t know why. I put on my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and I yelled at the top of my goddamn voice, ‘Sleep tight, ya morons!’” –Leaves crying in the middle of the night –Random, wearing hat, crying and screaming manic

Holden and Sex Holden’s inability to understand women –“Women kill me. They really do. I don’t mean I’m oversexed or anything like that- although I am quite sexy” (54). Thinks he can flirt with Mrs. Morrow –ridiculous, not reality – immature, pretends he’s older

Holden’s Loneliness Conversation with Ernest Marrow’s mother –Can’t communicate without lying –fake name –makes excuses »“”I probably would’ve told her what really happened, but it would have taken too long” (56). “Then I started reading this timetable I had in my pocket. Just to stop lying. Once I get started, I can go on for hours if I feel like it. No kidding. Hours” (58). –Lies to hide from reality –Exaggerates –How great her son is to avoid talking about himself

Holden’s Loneliness Wants to call someone –No one to reach out to Accidentally gives home address –realizes nowhere to go “’You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where they go, the ducks, when it freezes over?” (60). –Digresses –Compassion

Holden’s Loneliness Desperate for interaction Asks wrong people –“’Would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail?’” (60).

Sex Edmont Hotel “I think if you don’t really like a girl, you shouldn’t horse around with her at all, and if you do like her, then you’re supposed to like her face, you ought to be careful about doing crumby stuff to it, like squirting water all over it. It’s really too bad that so much crumby stuff is a lot of fun sometimes” (62). –Intimacy versus casual –Wants to share intimacy with a girl –Sees sex as “dirty” doesn’t understand it only sees the vulgar (transvestite, water squirting) perverts, morons, screwballs

Sex He is nervous and uncomfortable Uncomfortable and doesn’t understand sexuality –“Sex is something I really don’t understand too hot. You never know where the hell you are. I keep making up these sex rules for myself, and then I break them right away” (63).

Holden’s Loneliness/Sex Becomes sexually aroused and calls a stranger –Faith Cavendish –Calls middle of night, random girl doesn’t realize the absurdity “I said it suave as hell” (64). –Declines the offer to meet her, won’t take the risk –Indicates Holden’s immaturity and imbalance- his inconsistency