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Describe The Relationship Between Holden And The Catcher In The Rye

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Carl Luce, a student adviser from a previous school, is also being labelled as phony, yet Holden calls him. “The only thing he ever did, though, was give these sex talks and all late at night… He knew quite a bit about sex…” (154) It is no secret why Holden wants to meet with Carl. Holden sounds sex obsessed and very childish during his conversation with Carl. He is trying to provoke Carl to talk about sex. Carl is very irritated with Holden’s childish behaviour and sex talk: “Same old Caulfield. When are you going to grow up?”. (155) Carl asks this question a couple of times and tells Holden that his “mind is immature”. Holden answers him by saying: “It is. It really is. I know it.” As Carl is dating an older woman now it can be interpreted that he has reached adulthood. Holden begs Carl to stay for another drink, as he was feeling lonesome, but Carl left anyway.
It is clear that Holden is emotionally unstable. He is very lonely and always talking to …show more content…

That might be one of the major reasons for his “lousy” childhood. Holden himself was only a 13 year old child when Allie died of leukemia. Allie was only 11. Although Holden was older than Allie, he has always looked up to Allie and was very proud of him. Allie’s innocence is significant as he did not live to reach adulthood. Holden was very upset the night Allie died. “They were going to have me psychoanalyzed and all… I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it.” (40) Holden also saw James Castle’s body when he committed suicide – wearing Holden’s sweater. This incident brings back memories of Allies death. The way he talks about Allie is proof that Allie is still alive to him. On page 167 he talks about Allie as he is living in the cemetery, as if it’s his home. When Phoebe asked him to name one thing he likes he answers

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