Pencey

For this blog, I want to discuss the following passage after Phoebe asked why he got himself kicked out.

“Oh, God, Phoebe, don’t ask me. I’m sick of everybody asking me that. A million reasons why. It was one of the worst schools I ever went to. It was full of phonies. And mean guys. You never saw so many mean guys in your life. For instance, if you were having a bull session in somebody’s room, and somebody wanted to come in, nobody’d let them in if they were some dopey, imply guy. Everybody was always locking their door when somebody wanted to come in. And they had this goddam secret fraternity that I was too yellow not to join, and they wouldn’t let me in. I don’t even feel like talking about it. It was a stinking school take my word” (Salinger 167).

I found this quote very interesting. After he said this, Phoebe did not reply. I assume she had nothing to say. I would not know what to say to this, either. I would feel sorry for Holden and realize that maybe this school was not the best for him. Maybe he needed something else in his life. Maybe traveling was a good idea for him. I think that Phoebe understands, too. I do not think she did until his rant, though. But now I think she does and she feels bad for getting weird with him. I just hope that his parents can realize that school might not be the best idea for Holden. At least a preppy one like that one will not work.

Holden does not like people and he thinks he is better than everyone. He will always have to put up with people, though. He should learn that soon because the longer he just messes up his life to get away from his problems, he will not succeed.

When Phoebe says, “You don’t like anything that’s happening,” I realized that she thinks the same thing I do. Maybe she will talk some sense into Holden’s head. I hope she does, she seems like a smart girl.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.