Observations - Word Watcher/Effective Language

Chapters 7-10

• As soon as Holden gets off the train in New York in Chapter 9, he wants to call someone and seems eager to want to call Jane, but he is apparently too nervous (he suspiciously claims not to “feel like it.”) This seems particularly strange given Holden’s cynicism and evident dislike for most people; in Chapter 8, for instance, he describes enjoying the solitude of late-night train rides. His desire for human contact becomes even more intense as the novel progresses; he begins to feel sexually engaged and tries to make a date with a stranger whose number he was given at a party, then goes to a nightclub to flirt with older women. Holden’s constant lying, in this section and throughout the entire novel, is a mark of immaturity and imbalance. As soon as he meets Mrs. Morrow on the train, Holden begins telling ridiculous lies, claiming to be named Rudolph Schmidt and to be going to New York for a brain tumor operation. He feels guilty for lying, but the only way he can stop is to stop talking altogether. There is no particular reason for the lies he tells Mrs. Morrow; his intentions toward her may be kind, or cruel, or simply careless.

Through my eyes, the way in which Holden acts during this point in the novel seems as an effective use of ironic character traits/dialogues; as what does seem clear is that Holden lies to deflect attention from himself and what he is doing. However, Holden still claims to be one who speaks of intimidating words and seems to think he is better than everyone else. Although he may keep his delicate/average teen personality shelled inside of him, Holden continues to act as one who is tough and more overpowering then all other - though, the truth may be told, that Holden really can't portray himself as an overpowering individual in reality, as he states phrases in which clearly want attention to be deflected away from him.


While reading, I came across this unknown vocabulary word...

• Matinee (Pg. 58) - mat·i·née [mat-n-ey] -noun- an entertainment, esp. a dramatic or musical performance, held in the daytime, usually in the afternoon.
Ex) These screenings are also open to everyone else at normal weekday matinee ticket prices.


Jenna S.