Monday, June 19, 2017

What are some quotes from the book that show that Holden hungers for a relationship with a girl that makes sense and how he wants to treat a girl?

Towards the end of chapter four, Stradlater is preparing for his date with Jane. Holden realizes that he knows her and goes on to fumblingly express his inner conflict. He wants to see her; he wants to spend time with her; he wants to forge a connection with her. He just doesn't know how. He even lacks the language to express the fact that he doesn't really know how to approach her.
In my edition, there's a strong example that starts on page 42 with "Jane Gallagher. Jesus" and ends with "You have to be in the mood for those things." Here, Holden expresses wanting to go down to talk to her, and Stradlater tells him to do it. Holden, however, can't bring himself to. He recognizes his inability only by recognizing his apathy—that he's "not in the mood" to talk to her just then. This suggests a fear of the interaction that he could, wants to, might, but doesn't know how to have with her. This is in stark contrast to the objectifying statements he makes about other women; however, it is consistent with his behavior towards women—particularly the prostitute later in the text.

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