Catcher in the Rye, 25 and 26

C. One thing that confuses me on the very last page of the book is when Holden says that he misses everyone. I don't even understand why he ran away in the first place other than not liking school, and the "phonies." I feel like we see this dilemma in wanting to runaway, but knowing what you are leaving in Eveline as well. Eveline realizes what she would be leaving a little sooner than Holden does, and she is able to think out her decision more. Holden realizes what he misses a little too late because he has already left it, and going back to his old life would be hard to reajust to.

F. I was surprised by the way Phoebe acted when she wants to runaway with Holden. I know that she looks up to him and all, but the fact that she even considered running away greatly surprised me. I know she looks out for Holden, but I never thought that this would ever happen. I thought that Holden would possibly just runaway without anyone knowing, but he told Phoebe. She is really committed to going with Holden also, like she has no delay in her mind that she wants to go with him, "Can't I go with you? Holden? Can't I? Please." It's not even like she is joking at all, she really wants to go with him

I. In response to Ian's first E response I have to disagree. I wasn't expecting a horrible ending like him just walking off. We see that Holden is becoming a "normal" person who reflects on things normally, and does not overreact to situations. He is now under care, which is good because it helps him stay calm and sane.

E. I am quite sad that the book has ended already. Although in the time frame of this story is only about 3 to 4 days, I feel as if I really bonded with Holden. Seeing him completely leave is very sad. The great part of the ending was when Phoebe was riding the carassoul and Holden was just sitting in the pouring rain almost bawling in happiness. That was a very fine moment to end the stories of Holden's adventures. It was certainly most fitting in my opinion to see Holden looking at life at a positive aspect and not leaving for the West. I really like Phoebe and what she does for Holden. She is like his guardian angel. Whenever Holden tries to do something that isn't right for him, she always does something else to make him not do something. Holden was very serious about leaving to the West. But due to the fact that Phoebe tried to go with him completely turned down the sole idea of going anywhere other than his home.

C. There are some questions that stay in my mind at the end of this book. Firstly, why doesn't Holden tell what happend after this event? As a reader I want to know if he has succeeded in his present time telling this story. Why doesn't he say anything? Secondly, What was Holden's true objective when he was going west. He couldnt possibly have thought it all out just like that. He only looked at the small details of doing the things he could possibly do. And why did he want to be a dead-mute and marry someone that was dead-mute?

I. I agree with ian Richter about Holden's sickness and also his things about missing people. Jackson also states that as welll. Why does he all of a sudden miss everyone? What was he trying to say that we shouldnt talk about others because we will miss them as well?

E. I wasnt sure how I liked the ending of the book. I liked how it wasnt a happily ever after, because that just shows how unreal the book was. But I really hated how we dont find out more of how it ends. What happens to the rest of the family. These kind of endings really bug me.

C. I was confused why he was fainting. Like he faints and then goes back out in the rain? why does he do that.

I. I agree with raypark 's E. I was sad to see how the book ended too.

i. i agree with peter: c Is Holden ever serious about hitch hiking and going across the country or is that a joke? What does the significance of the words “fuck you” have on the story? Why does Phoebe make Holden so happy? What does he see in her or what does he do that Holden likes? The “rest home” Holden is telling this story from… is it a mental hospital or what? Why does Holden end the story at this moment? I don’t really understand the plot line of this story? What is the point of it? The story seems a little meaningless in some aspects, I don’t understand why that is how the story. ended?

e. i really liked the ending, probably not the best ending in terms of what happens to Holden or what really goes on but the whole scene with him and Phoebe was beautiful, it was pure brother to sister love. I am an only child so i cant exactly relate to that but just reading it i can tell its a very close bond that these siblings share. They might have even bonded more over the death of Allie and are just realizing that they only got each other.

e. i really liked the last line of the book, "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." This is probably the most harsh piece of truth Holden has spoken all of the book. Great book, would've liked a bit more detail but as the writing style provides J.D. salinger really stuck to it.

i. I agree with Ray park: “E. I am quite sad that the book has ended already. Although in the time frame of this story is only about 3 to 4 days, I feel as if I really bonded with Holden. Seeing him completely leave is very sad. The great part of the ending was when Phoebe was riding the carassoul and Holden was just sitting in the pouring rain almost bawling in happiness. That was a very fine moment to end the stories of Holden's adventures. It was certainly most fitting in my opinion to see Holden looking at life at a positive aspect and not leaving for the West. I really like Phoebe and what she does for Holden. She is like his guardian angel. Whenever Holden tries to do something that isn't right for him, she always does something else to make him not do something. Holden was very serious about leaving to the West. But due to the fact that Phoebe tried to go with him completely turned down the sole idea of going anywhere other than his home.”
D. My favorite quote so far: “THAT’S all I’m going to tell about.” That’s absoulety all. That quote made me mad. I was so aggravated when I saw that, and also a bit relieved. I knew that something like this would happen and like why in God’s name would he end it there?
C: Why does Holden not want to talk about what happened after he left the park? Did something traumatic happen? It seems kind of weird and as he ends, he leaves us on a cliff hanger and that’s overall pretty frustrating.

E. I hated the ending at first, but after I thought about it, I realized it was satisfactory. I still want to know the details on where he is and what happened when his parents found out and what was up with Mr Antolini. But I guess it really doesn’t matter. This entire book was just holden saying whatever came to mind in relation to the story, so him skipping the ending because he was hiding something or felt like the reader knew already really just makes this ending work. Even though I am a bit annoyed, it still was fine and I enjoyed it.

I. I agree with Idelfonsoe16. That quote where he straight up says ‘that’s all im gonna say’ was both annoying and interesting. But it fits with the story and with holdens personality so it works.

C. I wonder why it was watching his sister on the carosel that made holden finally wind down. I know that he seems to the love and desire the innocence of children, and he also seems really attached to his sister. So maybe it’s the combination of the two that made him at rest. Maybe its because he had that final outburst crossing the street and calling for his brother and after he let that out any thing would calm him. anyways, its kind of a nice ending (the way I see it, the last chapter is more of an epilogue.)

I need nine more words…six…seven..eight…nine. Ha! Done. Wait, now that’s fifty-two. Shoot now its fifty-six! sixty! sixty-one! Forget it…..63