An incongruity refers to something out of place, a common occurrence within humans, but people are still surprised every day. When someone is mean instead of nice, turns left instead of right, dies instead of lives, fights instead of runs, and defies the status quo instead of following, people have no other option but to be stunned. People look for patterns and characteristics within others. They form a basic expectation, unknowingly hoping they will follow the standard. J.D. Salinger, the author of Catcher in the Rye, employed numerous incongruities in the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, and his sister, Phoebe Caulfield. Catcher in the Rye details Holden’s expulsion from Pencey Prep and his exploration in NY to discover the “truth,” demonstrating …show more content…
From the beginning of the text, Holden displays hatred toward those who presume an identity. He ensured he left a previous school because he was “surrounded by phonies” (Chapter 2, page 19). However, when Holden runs away from Pencey, he runs into Ernest Murrow’s mother, telling her that he has “this tiny tumor on the brain,” and his name is “Rudolph Schmidt” (Chapter 8). He also praises Ernest to the highest degree, believing Earnest is “the biggest bastard that ever went to Pencey.” Within six chapters, Holden illustrates himself as a “phony,” even though he expresses great disdain for deceivers. Salinger utilizes this discrepancy to demonstrate that while it is easy for Holden to pass judgment on others, he cannot evaluate his life choices correctly. If Holden self-evaluates himself accurately, he will realize that his personality mirrors the phonies, allowing him to make decisions to alter his personality …show more content…
When Holden first describes Phoebe, he describes her as “ a little too affectionate sometimes. She's very emotional, for a child” (Chapter 10). The description Holden provides appears normal for a 10-year-old child. She displays some emotional immaturity, so readers assume that Holden takes the protector role for his younger sibling. Yet, when the readers meet Phoebe, they realize the strange dynamic Holden and Phoebe have. Holden decides to run away from New York but wants to say goodbye to Phoebe first. Phoebe appears with a suitcase demanding to go with him. On the surface, it is easy to assume that Phoebe needs her brother, but Phoebe is scared that her brother will need her. Holden has flunked out of 4 schools at this point and unknowingly goes down a mental spiral, something Phoebe noticed earlier. Phoebe has more emotional awareness than Holden, which comes when one doesn’t fear assuming responsibility. Phoebe was willing to follow her brother as long as he was okay. This paradox is interesting because if Holden had been able to evaluate Phoebe properly, he would have noticed that she is in tune with her emotions, not that she’s emotional. Holden misjudges Phoebe because she is the figment of pure childhood innocence within his mind, ignoring every other personality
Also, Holden is very protective of Phoebe. When Holden finds a notebook of hers, he discovers that bad words and inappropriate drawings are written in it. As a result, Holden becomes angry and lashes out because he believes that the world is corrupting his sister. Lastly, Holden proves his longing to protect Phoebe’s innocence while he watches her ride the carrousel in the park. Holden describes this powerful moment by saying, “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around.
Holden view his sister as genuine and honest, not a “phony” like almost everyone else. When he arrives back in New York, one of his first thoughts is that he would like to call and speak with her. In the end of the novel, when Holden is getting ready to start his new life he decides he cannot leave without saying goodbye. Phoebe is the only character in the book who he actually cares about and sees no flaws in. He holds onto Phoebe so much because unlike everyone else surrounded by him, she still has her
This causes Holden to pack his bags in the middle of the night and leave. He got on a train to New York, and stayed in a hotel for a while. While he was in New York, he met up with his younger sister, Phoebe. While Holden was in New York, he tried to get with a lot of women-all of his attempts failed. Holden is having a very difficult
Ironically, Phoebe is more mature than Holden, who is twice her age. Certainly, Phoebe is Holden's emotional
He stayed because Phoebe wanted to be around him, and he did not want her to lose everything she has. “Can’t I go with you? Holden? Can’t I? Please?”
But he doesn’t understand that he has to let go, he needs to let Phoebe and other kids grow up so he can grow up himself. Holden’s weekend in New York City shows the reader Holden’s attempts of joining the
He is unable to embrace the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood because he is fixated on the innocence and purity of childhood. His interactions with Phoebe, his younger sister, demonstrate this. When Phoebe asks Holden "you know what I'd like to be? I mean if I had my goddamn choice?", he starts to talk about being "the catcher in the rye" (173). He sees himself as the protector of childhood innocence, Holden also imagines scenarios showing his resistance to adult responsibilities and challenges.
Only the innocence of his younger sister, Phoebe, keeps him from completely collapsing. While Holden’s character highlights the challenges of
Phoebe symbolises everything that Holden wishes to protect from the world, youth and innocence. He speaks fondly of her often, assuring his readers that “[they’d] like her” (67). At the end of the novel, Holden and Phoebe go for a walk and Holden suggests she ride on the carousel (210). Phoebe says she’s too big, but Holden convinces her otherwise and watches her, since he is definitely too big - another sign of how he is reluctantly growing up (211). After the ride is over and Phoebe goes to her brother again, it starts to rain and Phoebe takes Holden’s red hunting cap and places it on his head (212).
After Phoebe convinces him to not run away, Holden watches as she goes around the carousel, and how he felt “so damn happy… it was just that she looked so damn nice… God, I wish you could’ve been there” (233-234). At the point where Holden is finally about to leave behind his life because he cannot handle his reality anymore, his connection with Phoebe motivates him to stay. Phoebe is one relationship that Holden is able to grasp onto for comfort, and she helps him realize that he cannot run away from his emotions, grief, or loneliness.
“I don't like that, Phoebe, I don't like that at all” (Salinger 196). Salinger includes this encounter to show that the family is not caring and the mother barely cares about the possible bad habit of smoking. This displays Holden’s failure to take action because he allows Phoebe to take the blame for his smoking and he doesn't have the courage to take responsibility. Finally, Holden’s relationship with Phoebe is negative as he is unable to become the big brother that she needs. Phoebe is constantly helping Holden as she lends him money and is the source of Holden's happiness.
Holden's relationship with his little sister, Phoebe, is a bright spot in his life. She seems to be the only person who truly understands him and can see through his tough exterior. Phoebe is also a reminder of Holden's innocence and childhood, which is something he's struggling to hold on to as he grows older. Their relationship is meaningful because it shows that Holden is capable of forming deep connections with others, despite his cynicism and detachment from the world around him. Phoebe represents the hope and purity that Holden is searching for in his life.
As a small child, the chances are still against her, but since Phoebe desires to play it, Holden figures he should allow her. The force pushing Phoebe to become older and Holden to become an adult, is inevitable. This realization makes Holden cry. But rather being tears
The only motivator that Holden has to continue living is his younger sister, Phoebe, who is extraordinarily intelligent for her age. After he gets kicked out of Pencey, Holden is lost in life. He speaks to many people, seeking advice and comfort, but they are not able to help him find a human connection. Holden’s depression increases throughout the novel, almost to the point of suicide. He criticizes many people and ideas, labeling them as ‘phony’.
He takes the reader on a journey over a few days from him leaving the school to roaming the streets of New York. The question is Holden a Phony often pops into the minds of the reader. Holden is a phony because he is a hypocrite who does things that he criticize others for. He is a phony because he pretends to be someone that he is not,