Catcher in the Rye, Sibling Relationships

The Sibling Connection

Within 'catcher', Holden's siblings Phoebe, DB and Allie play key roles in developing our perceptions of the books themes. Throughout the novel there is a sense of delaying adulthood, Holden's inability to stay in focus in education, the inability to form relationships or stay in the same place all seem to tie to the idea of avoiding adult notions, such as responsibility.
DB, Allie and Phoebe seem to represent parts of the notion of innocence. Allie, due to his untimely demise will always be innocent to Holden, having never had the chance to grow up, DB, holdens older brother Represents the undesirable adult, 'selling himself out' to please others in hollywood and Phoebe is representative as the transitional stage, with Holden doing all that he can to preserve her innocence.
The Notion of the character of 'Allie' is an unusual one, although dead and a 'silent' character, the direction of the plot seems strongly influenced by him. Allie and Holden's relationship was so strong, his death caused holden to go off the rails, self harming.
‘You can't even think of one thing.' ‘Yes, I can. Yes, I can.' ‘Well, do it, then.' ‘I like Allie,' I said. (Salinger 171).
Holden said that Allie was
"terrifically intelligent" and the "nicest" person. Because Allie died so young, Holden felt that his innocence was taken away from him, exposure to the idea of mortality at an early age seems to have shaped Holden's future in a way he wishes to prevent other children from experiencing this notion shapes the theme of Catcher in the Rye was greatly influenced by Allie. Because of his early death, Holden felt his innocence had been stolen. In reaction to this Holden felt it was his responsibility to protect the innocence of all children. As a result he developed a job that he would like to have "a catcher in the rye." He would stand at the edge of a cliff and catch the kids who were about to fall off. This meant that if someone was about to lose their innocence, Holden would save them. If it weren't for Allie, Holden would not feel obligated to act as a proctector of innocence.
Although many claim Catcher is a book that doesn't really go anywhere, I believe salinger has created a subtle climax to our insight into thre days of holden's life. In the last few chapters, a few key events unfold. Holden finally seems to realise that the transition to adulthood is unavoidable.He watches his sister on the carousel, firstly worried about her safety,wanting to catch her before she falls but slowly realising eventually all children have to grab for the gold ring...
"All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and I was sort of afraid she'd fall off the goddam horse, but I didn't say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them."
Furthermore, throughout the novel, Holden repeatedly asks Allie not to let him disappear.
Holden feelshe is becoming invisible to the world around him. During one incident, Holden calls for Allie. This marks his breakdown. It is then, because of Allie, that he realizes that it is inevitable that he will grow up. Following this, on the last oage, it's suggested that Holden is being treated for Psychiatric problems, but has finally started his transition, returning to school and receiving help with his problems, sharing them when, as a child he would prbably have pushed those trying to help away.