Monday, August 13, 2012

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 9


In this blog I will talk about Holden Caulfield’s little sister Phoebe, and the effect she had on his life.  Phoebe was a unique child.  At only ten years old she demonstrated amazing maturity and understanding of what others are feeling and saying.  Her personality was bubbling and lively most of the time.  She loved to dance and was very smart and loving.  “’Holden!’ she said right away.  She put her arms around my neck and all.  She’s very affectionate.  I mean she’s quite affectionate, for a child Sometimes she’s even too affectionate.  I sort of gave her a kiss, and she said, ‘Whenja get home?’  She was glad as h--- to see me.  You could tell.”  (Salinger161).  Phoebe demonstrated time and time again her love of Holden.  She even went as far as trying to go with him when he was trying to run away.  In the end she was also responsible for Holden’s choice to stay.  Phoebe was just one of those people who are always fun to be around.  Phoebe also shows remarkable wisdom for being only ten years old.  She understands that Holden needs to grow up, a fact that he keeps denying.  Her understanding of Holden is quiet funny at times.  She seems to see all his problems and tries to get him to address them.  Although she never explicitly states it, Phoebe seems to realize that Holden’s bitterness toward the rest of the world is really bitterness toward himself. She sees that he is a deeply sad, insecure young man who needs love and support. At the end of the book, when she shows up at the museum and demands to come with him, she seems not so much to need Holden as to understand that he needs her.”  (Sparknotes 1).  Even though she has the understanding of an adult, Salinger used excellent writing abilities to make Phoebe into a convincing ten year old.  Her character development made her into a believable and relatable identity. 
"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

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