Subject: Re: Whining about whining?
From: Nathan (nathan__1984@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Mar 07 1997 - 17:20:01 GMT
On Fri, 7 Mar 1997, Rob McEntarffer wrote:
>
> Great topic!
>
Thanks Rob. :-)
The evidence you cited in providing support for your examples were really
insightful. Thanks for your take on that...as well.
>
> My question is this: Does Holden change this attitude about people at the
> end of the novel? He changes his attitude toward children - he no longer
> wants to keep them running around in the field of rye and all, he thinks we
> have to let them try to grab for the gold ring even if they fall off and
> hurt themselves (when Phoebe's on the carousel). Does this mean he changes
> his mind about adults too?
>
No, I don't think so. I think his already cynical views on adults worsen
towards the end of the novel. The Antolini incident might have
contributed to this. After all, his faith was shattered in the one adult
he admired with that incident, justifiably or not. In addition, I think
he was disappointed with the adults he had accountered in his NYC venture
(save for the Nuns). That friend of his brother's in the club and her
extreme phony tendencies (not sure if that's an accurate reference, but,
I think ya all know who I'm talking about). Maurice. Again, Antolini.
Adults consistently are a sour brand for Holden. Does it sound like he's
he was happy about being admitted into the mental institution at the
conclusion (adults were surely responsible for this, at least according
to Holden)? Doesn't he think it's really petty and phony that he was put
there in the first place? Does he seem impressed with the adults who were
counseling him at the hospital? Maybe I'm extracting too much here and I
apologize if I am. But....just wondering and all. :-)
--Nathan
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