Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Holden's Compassionate quality: CH. 23
In chapter 23 Holden is still in D.B.'s room visiting Phoebe. While here, he tells Phoebe about his somewhat plans for the future including leaving New York and moving out West alone. However, he steps out of Phoebe's room for a while to call and old English teacher he had, Mr. Antolini. To Holden, this teacher was only the best because Holden could talk to him in a casual way and kid around without losing his respect and all. To me that shows a huge part of Holden because maybe all Holden needs is to be able to talk to teachers, kids, and others in just a casual, kidding way on occasion in order to learn or even just want to hear what the teacher or person is trying to say. On the other hand, Holden calls Mr. Antolini, which he later assumes he might have woken him and his wife up, "because it took them a helluva long time to answer the phone." as Holden says. When Mr. Antolini did answer the phone Holden thought he was very nice to invite him over after he was surprised to hear Holden had been expelled from Pency Prep. When Holden describes and example of Mr. Antolini's kindness he talks about how he went over and picked up James Castle, after he committed suicide, checked his pulse, and wrapped his own jacket around his bloody body, and picked him up. This situation truly showed something to Holden, however I'm not quite sure what it showed to him. Anyways, Holden goes back to Phoebe and dances with her for about 4 counts raving about how good her dancing was compared to other young kids, that she could follow every step you did even if you did the jitterbug, as in the video below, she would still follow right along. Then when they heard the door open because his parents were home from dinner Holden put out his cigarette and fanned away the smoke, then he ran in the closet to hide until his mother left from tucking in Phoebe. When Holden came out it was about time for him to head out to Mr. Antolini's house, so began his good bye to Phoebe, whom made sure he wouldn't leave New York until after her play. Phoebe lent Holden her Christmas money, but he did not want to accept her money she got as a gift, however, Phoebe insisted and she said he could bring the extra to her when he comes to her play. Nonetheless, Holden began to cry, not just a little, but he cried and cried and kept crying on the edge of the bed. His crying freaked Phoebe out but she only sat next to him and comforted him until he stopped crying. Those tears represented the soft side of Holden and it showed how much he truly does care about Phoebe. Then Holden left, giving Phoebe his red, hunting hat, and didn't care much about being super quiet because a little part of him kind of wanted to get caught leaving.
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It kind of surprised me when Holden called his teacher. I think that it is very weird to call your teacher late at night. However, it seems like Holden and his teacher, Mr. Antolini have a strong relationship, and Mr. Antolini even offers Holden a stay at his own home. This shows that they know each other well and are very close, but I still think that is extremely strange that a teacher would allow one of his former students to stay at his house. However, I guess it makes sense for Holden because he doesn't want to spend any more money on hotels or other fees, and he doesn't have anywhere else to go.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas that it was kind of weird to call a teacher that late at night and especially weird for the teacher to offer Holden to live with them. It's kind of the same with Spencer where i thought it was weird Holden went to his house a lot but it seemed normal to Holden. I don't know wether or not it was normal for the 1940's and it's just weird for us or if it's just a Holden thing where he happens to be really close to some teachers. Holden has kind of showed us through the book that some of the people he talks to most are his teachers, even Luce was a student advisor who is kind of like a teacher. I don't really get why this is because he doesn't seem like the guy who teachers would like but I guess I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was kind of strange for Holden to call his old teacher late out night, but I can see that Holden was in a time of need (maybe he was lonely even with his sister and needed to talk to someone else). This is why I think he had a reason behind his call. When he feels bad when he thinks that he woke Mr. Antolini up this shows that Holden has a conscious and is not always the obnoxious person that we have come to know throughout the book. I disagree about the tears showing the soft side of Holden, I think these are to remind us that Holden is unstable still. I think that when giving Phoebe his red hunting hat showed his soft side because his red hunting hat is one of his most precious possessions.I don't know if Holden wanted to get caught, but I think didn't care anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone. It was weird for Holden to call Mr. Antolini. Most students don't have that kind of relationship with their teachers. However, I've noticed that he called Mr. Antolini by MR. Antolini (not referring to him as OLD Antolini) and I think this shows the respect he has for him. He has never called anyone Mr. before, and I think that is important to show the kind of relationship that they have. I agree with Trevin. The tears show that Holden is unstable. He may have been showing his soft side by crying in front of her, but I think he truly showed his soft side by giving Phoebe his favorite hat. I think Holden wanted to get caught because he wants the affection his parents would give him. Sure, they'd be mad at him for a while, but a parent can never truly stay mad at their child for very long.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason he loves Mr. antolini so much is that he is not a Phony an that means so much to Holden that he know he can be honest and strait forward to hima trait that is absent, at least in holdens mind, in adults. The point annie made about Mr. Antolini not being old Antolini I think that this shows that Holden isn't always a loner and he actually can like, not love like with Jane, DB, and Pheobe, but like a person as a friend or role-model.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is weird for him to call a teacher. As Annie said, teachers and students dont usually have a relationship. In fact, nowadays, it would be very strange if you called your teacher up. Maybe back then it wasn't that weird, because Holden also went to visit Mr.Spencer in the beginning of the book. Also, I think that the fact that Mr. Antolini picks up the boy's body and carries it off is a significant reason for Holden to respect him. He doesn't believe that Mr. Antolini is a phony, and I think if I had to pick a character in this book (so far) that acted as a mentor for Holden, it would definitely be Mr. Antolini. I also agree with Trevin when he said that Holden was unstable when he was crying. Usually we dont read about Holden crying, and here he specifically mentioned that he couldn't stop. Its really sad to see how much pain he's in because he does have that soft side, even if it isnt seen often, and I think he deserves a break from all the pain that he's been through.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that it may be a little strange to call a teacher, I agree with Matthew's point about how Mr. Antolini isn't a phony. Holden seems to just need people that he can talk to in a way that he feels is a real conversation with nothing "fake" about it. The incident with James Castle made me feel even sorrier for Holden. I automatically sympathized with Holden when I heard that his brother died. People do crazy things when they are in pain, and that alone made it easy for me to forgive Holden for some of his bad characteristics. After learning that he saw someone commit suicide while wearing his jacket, my sympathy for Holden increased. If I saw someone that had committed suicide, I'd be scarred for life also. The part where Holden started crying actually stood out to me as one of the main plot points in the entire book. It seems like a small thing, but this is the first time that we really see Holden act on the softer side of himself. We get little hints throughout the story that he isn't always this completely negative, pessimistic person. For example, when he helps that girl tie her shoe we see a softer side of his personality; however, this was the first time that we really see him open up and show his vulnerability without trying to hide it. It just reconfirmed my belief that at heart Holden is really just lost and confused, and he's not just some weird kid with completely abnormal feelings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matthew. The reason why Holden likes Mr. Antolini is because he isn't a phony to Holden. Holden can tell that Mr. Antolini doesn't act fake around him, and we all know that Holden hates phonies. And he pretty much calls everyone a phony, so anyone he doesn't consider a phony, he tends to befriend. I also agree with everyone else in how it is a little weird when Holden calls his old teacher. They obviously have a good relationship, and maybe back then it wasn't strange to call a teacher, like a friend. Holden's hysterical crying shows how much he misses Phoebe, and how he doesn't want to leaver her so soon. He really loves her and this scene shows it. Also, maybe Holden feels a little bad about taking "old" Phoebe's Christmas money, and realizes how pathetic that is also. He also shows a loving gesture when he leaves his beloved hunting hat behind, he loves that thing and always wears it around, but maybe its better that he left it because he might of looked really stupid when he wore that bright orange hunting hat with ear flaps.
ReplyDeleteI think Holden's idea of wanting to be a catcher in the rye originated when he saw Mr. Antolini carry the dead child to help. In Mr. Antolini, he sees exactly what he needs; a catcher in the rye. And I think he wants to get caught because he's tired of running. Running from places like the movies, from people like Maurice, but mostly from himself. He doesn't want to accept what he is now that so much has changed for him. He needs to go home, not to his parents, but to himself.
ReplyDeleteAt first it seemd strange how Holden firstly called Mr. Antolini and seconly that Mr. Antolini allowed Holden to stay at his house. I think this shows two things 1) Holden's respect for Mr. Antolini and 2) Mr. Antolini's creepieness. Before i read chapter 24 i thought that this just meant they had a strong relationship but after chapter 24 this shows how creepy Mr. Antolini really is.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with everyone in that it seems a little weird that Holden calls his own teacher, but maybe they had a good relationship, and were good friends outside of school. Also, I agree with Matthew when he said that it was strange when Mr. Antolini allowed Holden to stay at his house. I think that Holden starts to cry because, well he was leaving Phoebe again, and also he was taking her Christmas money. I think taking her Christmas money makes her realize that he is taking money from his little sister and feels very pathetic. Also, I agree with you Seagren that Holden does show his soft side in this chapter just like he has done a few times earlier in the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas about it being weird for Holden to call his teacher, Antolini, late at night. I know they are close but still, the teacher has a family and that should be respected. In Holden's defense, he isn't a ordinary kid and the his condition at the moment somewhat justifies his actions. I also believe that the moment when Holden cries and mentions the fact that part of him wanted to have been caught highlights his nostalgia. This could be seen as a reason for his mental breakdown.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it was strange for Holden to call a teacher at a time like this or even just to call a teacher at all. It seems to be a minor reoccurring theme that Holden has strong relaitonships with his teachers, first Old Spencer and now Mr. Antolini. I wonder why he always runs to teachers and relys on them so much rather than his peers. You would think he would prefer kids rather than adults because he sees all adults as phonies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas. I was surprised that he decided to call a teacher up that late. Maybe that shows how desperate he is for interaction and connection with someone. And as far as what Selim said, that doesn't make sense. You said he is a strange kid and that him being a weird kid justifies his actions. The thing is, his actions are what make him a weird kid, so he has no justification. And on what Carly said- yes this is interesting. He's not acting quite so much like Peter Pan anymore.
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