I really liked the ending of The Catcher in the Rye because I think it accurately shows the end result of a coming of age. If we examine Holden at the beginning and end of the novel, we can see some development, especially in the carousel scene with Phoebe. Phoebe gets on the carousel but Holden doesn't, signifying that Holden recognizes he's not a child anymore. However, Phoebe says that she's too big for the carousel. Holden isn't depicted to have any strong negative response at the thought of Phoebe aging but instead urges Phoebe to go on the carousel and he would watch. I think that Holden still isn't completely okay with the concept of aging but instead of being angry, he cherishes the moments he does have with Phoebe while acknowledging that Phoebe won't always be a young girl who rides carousels anymore.
Additionally, I think Holden wants to become a mentor figure to Phoebe which would fit with Holden's dream job to be the catcher in the rye. Phoebe begins to resemble Holden. She wants to recklessly run off with Holden to live in a new state. In addition, Phoebe starts to physically take after Holden when she drags her suitcase around and wears Holden's red hunting hat. However, when Holden sees Phoebe start to take the same path that Holden does, Holden attempts to stop Phoebe or stop Phoebe from falling off the same cliff Holden did. Holden changes his mind and decides to not leave town so Phoebe would not follow him. I think that Holden recognizes that Phoebe sees him as a role model and as a result changes his behavior. I think that Holden's views his actions in a different light whenever his actions are related with Phoebe. For instance, Holden recklessly spends his own savings on cabs, alcohol, tickets to see movies. Holden doesn't budget his money at all and just spends it recklessly. However, when Phoebe gives Holden her money, Holden actually budgets the money. For instance, after Holden runs away from Mr. Antolini's house, Holden doesn't want to book a hotel and spend all of Phoebe's money. Just like how Holden doesn't want to waste Phoebe's money, he doesn't want to hurt Phoebe's future, and as a result, begins to reforms his spending habits and himself in order for Phoebe to have a good role model.
I also liked how Holden never finishes coming of age. On the last page of the novel, a psychoanalyst asks Holden if he'll apply himself in school next year. Holden, however, tells the reader, that he doesn't know what he'll do until he does it. I like how, by the end of the novel, Holden hasn't fully developed as an adult but has just taken the first steps to reform his life. I also liked how Holden is still unsure about what he wants to do in his life, since I can relate to that. The novel doesn't end with Holden planning to go to college and choosing to pursue some traditional career like a lawyer or teacher. I like that Holden's future is still somewhat vague and unclear, since that how growing up can sometimes feel to a teen.
I also loved this novel, especially the ending. It might not have been the most satisfying thing in the world, but it was very realistic. As we talked about in the first few days of class, there's not really a point in time where we fully "come of age" and I think Salinger does an amazing job depicting that. Like you said, Holden isn't making a 180 and fully conforming to the world around him, but he has changed in little ways that shows he's moving forward with his life and philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI loved this novel as well. I enjoyed the fact that it had a realistic ending. There's no way that Holden could've finished "coming of age" during that period of time, so it's nice that the author leaves us with something to talk about. I also found it extremely heartwarming when Holden realizes that he needs to shape up for Phoebe because he doesn't want her to destroy her future because that scene in particular shows how much he loves and cares for her, so it was a really nice sibling moment.
ReplyDeleteOoh yeah I like to think that Phoebe saves Holden. Their relationship is so sweet. I just hope that Holden's decision to take care of his life for Phoebe will eventually become one that he makes for himself regardless.
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis of the end - I was sort of unsure how to interpret it, but I realized that it's filled with both progression and uncertainty. Holden watches Phoebe on the carousel and cherishes the moment, knowing that aging is inevitable, but when people ask if he'll apply himself, he is really unsure of what the future holds for him. A lot of kids are age are caught in a facade of believing that we have to know what we're aiming for in life, and many a time that can be frustrating because we're still in the process of figuring out who we are. I think that's a lifelong process, but it seems to bulk up around the mid to late teens.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good analysis. While I was reading the end I think I was so wrapped up in Holden's story that I didn't realize what a big coming-of-age moment for him it was. I think the fact that Holden gets sent away at the end shows a very realistic portrayal of coming-of-age because it represents how coming-of-age is not a straightforward, perfect process filled with lots of happy milestones but can often present bumps in the road that we did not expect.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation. There is definite progress made by the end of the book, and parallel events at the beginning and end of the book exemplify his change. I also like the idea of Holden being a role model for Phoebe, even if he sometimes needs her more than she needs him.
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