Holdebe in The Catcher in the Rye
Holdebe
Holden and Phoebe’s (Holdebe) relationship in The Catcher in the Rye consists of a deep connection and shows how Holden relies on Phoebe for his happiness throughout the book. They have a sweet, affectionate relationship (even though they may bicker). Holden goes to her when he feels “depressed”.
Holden and Pheobe show a special connection when he visits his sister, his choice when he was feeling down, and gives her the record he bought her. He listened to this song in school and decided it was perfect for Phoebe. This is an extremely considerate action from Holden that shows his genuineness. Even though the record was destroyed into many pieces, Phoebe decides to keep it and shows how much she appreciates Holden’s gift. This shows how strong their bond is with one another.
Holden becomes more mature and thinks more rationally because of Phoebe’s influence when she insists on going with Holden. He decides to discard his plan of going away to the west and leaving home. I believe that Holden knows the responsibility of taking care of her and how his plan is fallible. He accomplishes one of the coming-of-age characteristics, maturity.
The merry-go-round scene in the zoo shows how Phoebe releases Holden from his depression, even if for a while. Towards the last part of the book, Holden keeps mentioning how he is depressed. However, when he sees Phoebe on the merry-go-round, he “felt so damn happy.”
This shows how Phoebe has a place in Holden’s heart and is someone extremely special to him. These events are evidence that Holdebe’s relationship is as strong as a horse. They show the incredible relationship between brother and sister. Holden thinks about Pheobe in a positive light, and Pheobe is constantly on his mind even when she’s not there.
-Elda
I like the mention of Phoebe still accepting the vinyl pieces after it was shattered. I took it as a symbolic representation that Phoebe would still love and take Holden in even though he himself was mentally broken into pieces. My initial theory was that Phoebe would piece the shards back together, but instead she mended Holden back together. How full circle their relationship is.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Phoebe acts as a positive light for Holden, especially towards the end of the book. Even when she was making a "bad" decision---trying to run away with Holden---it showed him how irrational his plan was and that Phoebe needed him to stay. But as much as Phoebe needed Holden, I think that Holden needed Phoebe more, because she accepted his flaws while still telling him what he needed to hear.
ReplyDeleteHolden and Phoebe's entire relationship is just so heartwarming and I love that you highlighted it. I agree that in Phoebe's presence, Holden is more mature, and, in general, just happier. It's strange that he achieves one of the characteristics of the coming of age novel, maturity, because of Phoebe, a child's, influence. Kind of an irony there, but I bet Holden would love that a child helps further a teenager's maturity...he's contrary like that :P.
ReplyDeleteHi Elda, I think another point you could mention about Phoebe's "specialness" to Holden is how she can actually push Holden to reflect on his life. When Mr. Spencer lectures Holden about applying, he kind of just brushes him off. However, when Phoebe presses on Holden about his interests and hobbies, he actually reflects deeply searching for an answer that would satisfy her. Although he doesn't end up telling her everything that passed his mind, readers get a glimpse into his traumatic past. Overall, nice summary on the intense connection between Holden and Phoebe :D
ReplyDeleteHi Elda, I completely agree that Phoebe is one of the few figures in Holden's life that makes him consistently happy. I also think it's interesting that Phoebe openly calls Holden out on things like having a negative perspective, yet he doesn't call her phony or get angry at her for that, as he did other characters like Sally. This makes sense with what you're arguing about Phoebe making Holden more mature and rational. She is one of the few people that Holden is willing to take advice from, and he fully appreciates her criticism. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Elda, great blog! I agree that Phoebe is probably one of the most influential people in Holden's life. He really relies on her for a lot of things, like emotional support. I also think part of the reason he likes her a lot is because she is very much like him, evidenced by her distaste for her school play. She also represents a beacon of purity that Allie used to be, which makes Holden and Phoebe's bond even stronger.
ReplyDeleteHi Elda, I liked how created a joint name for their sibling relationship! I completely agree with you that Holden and Phoebe have an incredible bond together, and we see that through all the actions in the book. I think we first got a sense of this when he was describing Phoebe in the earlier chapters and commenting on how she wasn't like any of the other girls. I think another way I thought about the nature of their relationship is through Allie's death and the way they might hold each closer because of it. Really great post!
ReplyDeleteI'd add that it is crucial, in that carousel scene, that Phoebe has ingeniously presented Holden with a kind of distorted mirror of himself: she's wearing the red hat, dragging her suitcase all over Manhattan talking about running away from home and dropping out of school, and suddenly Holden is all like "What are you doing? You can't just run away from home!" He sees a version of himself, or he sees his influence on her, and the idea of her following him out west is too much for him to bear--he can't be responsible for her missing that play! It's really quite brilliant: this kid is never going to be persuaded by words ("Apply yourself in school, Holden"), but Phoebe manages to get through to him by offering herself as a kind of distorted mirror. He doesn't want to be responsible for her losing HER innocence in this way.
ReplyDeleteHi Elda! I definitely agree that Phoebe is one of, if not the most important person in Holdens life. Throughout the book, we are given many reasons as to why we should see Holden as this heartless, numb boy who doesn't care for the people around him, but his connection with Phoebe reveals a softer and more vulnerable side of him that we don't typically see. It also gives us hope that he has the potential to become a better person. A lot of Holdens spontaneous and irrational decisions were never carried through because of Phoebe and I think this really shows the significance she has in his life. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Elda. Holden’s relationship with Phoebe is indeed notable. You show well how Phoebe accepts him despite his flaws through the way she takes his broken gift and how she catches him from heading for some kind of terrible fall. I also like that you discuss the merry‑go‑round scene. The way Holden becomes quietly joyful watching Phoebe ride it shows how much her presence pulls him out of his depression. It’s one of the few times he lets himself feel something simple and sincere. Good post!
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