Phoebe's Influence in The Catcher in the Rye
Phoebe Caulfield’s Influence in The Catcher in the Rye
Although not present throughout the majority of the novel The Catcher in the Rye, Phoebe Caulfield’s existence effects Holden Caulfield’s character and ultimately is significant to a larger theme in the novel by the effects she has on him. The novel typically tells a story that focuses on a major theme of the “phoniness” of the adult world and the painful process of growing older as displayed through the eyes of major character Holden Caulfield. Phoebe Caulfield, in all her alleged perfection, displays to her elder brother, Holden, the ideality of childhood which he uses to compare to all others. This notion allows Holden to come to the conclusion that everyone else, especially adults who lack the admirable youth characteristics Holden feels Phoebe possesses, is “phony”, thus resulting in Holden’s resistance to the adult world and to the process of maturing into one himself. Throughout the novel, it is evident that Holden feels that the adult world around him is not adequate enough for him because the adults that surround him appear to all be “phony” in his opinion. This is a major theme that remains consistent throughout The Catcher in the Rye from beginning to end. Phoebe is the main influence for Holden’s lack of faith in the adult world because he sees his kid sister as a model for the way people should be; thus believing that no adult lives up to these exceptional characteristics that Phoebe has and are rendered “phony” as the result. He boasts about his sister Phoebe multiple times throughout the novel and attempts to persuade others to feel the same admiration he feels for her. He claims that “you should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life” (67). Holden is very much aware that his sister is only a kid and is still able to be more sufficient than most adults that he comes across in the story. Holden continues his bragging about his kid sister in a way
Although not present throughout the majority of the novel The Catcher in the Rye, Phoebe Caulfield’s existence effects Holden Caulfield’s character and ultimately is significant to a larger theme in the novel by the effects she has on him. The novel typically tells a story that focuses on a major theme of the “phoniness” of the adult world and the painful process of growing older as displayed through the eyes of major character Holden Caulfield. Phoebe Caulfield, in all her alleged perfection, displays to her elder brother, Holden, the ideality of childhood which he uses to compare to all others. This notion allows Holden to come to the conclusion that everyone else, especially adults who lack the admirable youth characteristics Holden feels Phoebe possesses, is “phony”, thus resulting in Holden’s resistance to the adult world and to the process of maturing into one himself. Throughout the novel, it is evident that Holden feels that the adult world around him is not adequate enough for him because the adults that surround him appear to all be “phony” in his opinion. This is a major theme that remains consistent throughout The Catcher in the Rye from beginning to end. Phoebe is the main influence for Holden’s lack of faith in the adult world because he sees his kid sister as a model for the way people should be; thus believing that no adult lives up to these exceptional characteristics that Phoebe has and are rendered “phony” as the result. He boasts about his sister Phoebe multiple times throughout the novel and attempts to persuade others to feel the same admiration he feels for her. He claims that “you should see her. You never saw a little kid so pretty and smart in your whole life” (67). Holden is very much aware that his sister is only a kid and is still able to be more sufficient than most adults that he comes across in the story. Holden continues his bragging about his kid sister in a way