Phoebe Weatherfield Caulfield (and Why She's an Excellent Character)

Holden's first mention of Phoebe in the book is to casually suggest calling her after getting off at Penn Station. He doesn't say much else about her, so I didn't think she'd be such an important character in the book. However just a chapter later, Holden gives her a glowing review, adding her to the short list of people Holden genuinely likes, which also includes his late brother Allie and Jane Gallagher. Still, I didn't think we would get to meet her within the confines of the book, as we can't meet Allie and Jane seems to be a figure Holden wishes to keep in the past. Thus, it would make sense for the people Holden loves to not be portrayed in the book. However as we neared chapter 21, I could see that we would get to meet Phoebe and was excited. Although I could easily imagine a character that was only compelling in Holden's terms, I hoped that Phoebe would be an interesting addition to the novel.

When Holden finally arrives home after a good twenty chapters of avoiding going there, the first thing he does is go into Phoebe's room and read her rather randomly written notes in her notebook. Although we cannot get a full picture of Phoebe from her scrawlings on Alaska and zodiac signs, I could tell she would be interesting. As soon as she wakes up, Phoebe is energetic and talkative, but still reflects much of what we as readers are supposed to like about Holden: honest and critical. However Phoebe makes up for much of what Holden lacks. Although Holden is in no way dumb, Phoebe's sharpness and attention to detail dwarfs Holden's. Additionally, she connects to things much easier than Holden does and is clearly in touch with her emotions. And most importantly, she asks Holden questions we have been pining to ask him the entire book.

These qualities would make Phoebe a mature and precocious ten year-old, and they do, though she still has a sort of little kid charm about her. Her willingness and attitude in the scene at the museum show us that she is still quite a child, though readily growing into the image of a pre-teen Holden. However in some ways this is what makes her such an excellent character. She reflects some of Holden's bitterness and demonstrates to him what he needs to change about himself.

However I think the most endearing quality about Phoebe is her portrayal in the last scene. Holden is all ready to leave town and only come back if "someone wanted to see [him] before they died" (Salinger 225). But Holden never goes and the most simple answer is that he stays for Phoebe, the remaining source of happiness in his life. Her emotions about Holden leaving and her love for her brother are the reasons why Holden can stay and still enjoy his life. Although this may be deemed a rather depressing ending, Phoebe's willingness to enjoy things while still maintaining a sense of selectivity may be Holden's chance to become less cynical.

Terms of Holden's Endearment

When I first started reading Catcher in the Rye, I really disliked Holden, as those in seventh period may have picked up on. To me, he seemed arrogant and self-entitled, things that might annoy most people about characters. However, after the first few chapters where Holden comes across as a try-hard for not trying hard, his reluctance to be a part of the "crowd" or participate in "the game" is explained. His childhood was traumatizing and for good reason: his brother's untimely death obviously affected him and was perhaps the start of his disenchantment with the system. I think that this side of Holden comes to endear him to the reader in the next chapters and perhaps explains his detachment from people. He does not wish to get close to any person like he was with his brother Allie probably for fear of losing them. As discussed in class, Holden seems to be dealing with his emotions by using detachment as a coping mechanism for his grief and depression. He exemplifies many classic signs of depression due to an event, as he refuses to talk about it with some of his closer friends (if he even allows himself to call them that) and only confides in Jane, a figure who is a part of his past by his own choice.

I think that Holden's grief makes him a far more relatable character than the one seen in the first few chapters. Although many might identify with the loner disillusioned with the system, I think that having a reason for his dissatisfaction makes Holden into a more interesting character. People that seek change in systems that are stifling are not to be criticized. Holden, however, did not seek any change in the way the game of life is played, but rather wished to not participate. Now knowing the trauma he has been through, it is clear why Holden does not wish to participate: his brother Allie never got a chance to. Though Holden is still reluctant to divulge everything about his past with us, hopefully in chapters to come we see a similar side of Holden as he becomes a more endearing and engaging narrator.