Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye refuses to consider the question of what he's actually doing with his life. He's always down to rant about something he hates or critique the foundations of society, but when it comes to deciding on a career or passion he's at a loss. Holden's constant satirical comments make it easy for readers to overlook his serious lack of direction because he's trying very very hard to hide his doubts from our eyes.
There's only one person in the entire novel who has the knowledge and strength cut through Holden's neverending stream of BS, and that person is Phoebe Caulfield, Holden's little sister. Phoebe really doesn't play around. Within about two minutes of waking up, she realizes that Holden isn't supposed to be home until Wednesday and she begins bombarding him with questions. Phoebe knows Holden incredibly well, so she quickly figures out that he's been kicked out of school (again) and is in need of a serious intervention.
Holden doesn't love and respect anyone as much as Phoebe, so he is powerless to refuse her questions or label her as insignificant. Even though she's only ten years old, Phoebe understands her brother's destructive patterns and points out his cynical manner. She tells Holden that "you don't like anything that's happening. You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things." (187). Startlingly, Phoebe's assessment is completely true. Holden can't even point out a single thing that he actually likes.
Even though Phoebe exposes Holden's clinical lack of enjoyment for anything and his absence of direction, she somehow understands his perspective. At the end of Chapter 22, when Holden announces his plan to become a professional child-catcher in a field of rye complete with a dangerous cliff, Phoebe doesn't criticize that ridiculous idea. She doesn't say anything because she kind of gets what Holden is saying, even though it sounds totally crazy. That's why Phoebe is such an amazing character: she simultaneously challenges and understands Holden's wacky state of mind.
There's only one person in the entire novel who has the knowledge and strength cut through Holden's neverending stream of BS, and that person is Phoebe Caulfield, Holden's little sister. Phoebe really doesn't play around. Within about two minutes of waking up, she realizes that Holden isn't supposed to be home until Wednesday and she begins bombarding him with questions. Phoebe knows Holden incredibly well, so she quickly figures out that he's been kicked out of school (again) and is in need of a serious intervention.
Holden doesn't love and respect anyone as much as Phoebe, so he is powerless to refuse her questions or label her as insignificant. Even though she's only ten years old, Phoebe understands her brother's destructive patterns and points out his cynical manner. She tells Holden that "you don't like anything that's happening. You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things." (187). Startlingly, Phoebe's assessment is completely true. Holden can't even point out a single thing that he actually likes.
Even though Phoebe exposes Holden's clinical lack of enjoyment for anything and his absence of direction, she somehow understands his perspective. At the end of Chapter 22, when Holden announces his plan to become a professional child-catcher in a field of rye complete with a dangerous cliff, Phoebe doesn't criticize that ridiculous idea. She doesn't say anything because she kind of gets what Holden is saying, even though it sounds totally crazy. That's why Phoebe is such an amazing character: she simultaneously challenges and understands Holden's wacky state of mind.
You've got some great observations here. I think it's fascinating how similar Phoebe and Holden are in a lot of ways. From the way little inconveniences can ruin their perception of an experience to their body language, the two youngest Caulfields seem to have a lot in common. Perhaps this is how Phoebe can listen to Holden without judging him. She understands him because, at least to some degree, she thinks the same way he does.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think Phoebe makes Holden think in a different way. She makes him realize that he really does not like many things. He knows he like her but what they have together is not permanent. Time will pass ad Phoebe will grow older. I think that is why he wrote this book so he can preserve their moment as children.
ReplyDeleteI freaking LOVE Phoebe. She seems like the kind of kid anyone would love. I also think part of the reason that Holden - and a lot of readers - love Phoebe is because she's kind of a Holden before he got really hard and cold towards the world. She's a lil sarcastic and cynical sometimes, but mostly she's clear thinking, can cut through anyone's bullshit, and she is unbelievably witty and cheerful when the moment is right.
ReplyDeleteI think characters like Phoebe are really refreshing - she's only ten, so she hasn't quite developed the filter that a lot of us have, so pretty much everything she says she certainly means. At the same time, she also doesn't make a ton of unnecessary judgement (that Holden certainly falls prey to) so she doesn't ridicule her brother for his wacky ideas; she just tries to instill in him some sense of reality.
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