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.
I also didn't think we were gonna meet Phoebe; I thought Salinger was going to keep her as a memory in our minds. You nail the idea that Phoebe is very mature and knowledgable, but at the same time she is still playful and childlike. One thing I remember we discussed in class was how she was turning into a little Holden, especially in the scene at the museum where she comes with his suitcase and his hat. Holden and Phoebe's relationship is one of the best things of this novel in my opinion; it's really one of the main things that holds Holden together in his life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Phoebe's character makes Holden who he is, and without her I think it would be a different book. Phoebe is very mature, but I think it works because she is able to have intellectual conversations with Holden.
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