Catcher In The Rye Character Analysis

Holden is desperate to connect with people. This is shown through him trying to connect with random people and always wanting to call people up. Holden tries to connect with many strangers including; Mrs. Morrow, The first cab driver and Sunny. When talking to Mrs. Morrow, he lies about Ernest just so he can keep the conversation going. “He adapts himself very well to things. He really does. I mean he really knows how to adapt himself.” “Do you think so she asked. She sounded interested as hell”(55). Holden says this to get her really interested and talk to him more. When Holden calls for a cab to go to his Hotel, he tries to socialize with and he asks if he wants to order a cocktail. “Well take me to Edmont then” I said. “Would you care to stop on the way and join me for

a cocktail? On me. I’m loaded”(60). Holden really wants someone to talk to and turns to a cab driver.

In another occasion when a prostitute comes up to his room, instead of having sex with her, he decides to “practice” on her. He wants to get to know her first and try to connect. “Are you in a very big hurry?” She looked at me as if I was a madman. “What the heck you wanna talk about.” she said. “I don’t know nothing special. I just thought perhaps you might care to chat for a while”(95). Holden is so desperate he tries to get to know a prostitute. Holden always wants to call someone up, but he never goes through with it. When Holden is changing his shirt he thinks about calling Phoebe but doesn’t. “While I was changing my shirt, I damn near gave my kid sister Phoebe a buzz, though. I certainly felt like talking to her on the phone. Somebody with sense and all”(66). Holden thinks about calling his sister, but comes up with an excuse saying it is late and she would be sleeping. When Holden arrives in New York, he thinks about calling a bunch of people and doesn’t call a single one. “I couldn’t think of anyone to call up. My brother D.B. was in Hollywood, my kid sister Phoebe goes to bed around nine o’clock so I couldn’t her

up”(59). Holden is in desperate need of calling someone and he thinks of so many possible people he could call. He also thinks about calling Jane. He does this multiple times in the book. Ironically, Holden talks about Jane as if they are good friends, but he hasn’t talked to her or seen her in years. “I thought about giving old Jane a buzz, to see if she was home yet and all, but I wasn’t in the mood”(105). Holden yet again gives another excuse claiming he’s not in the mood. Holden throughout this book is in desperate need of connecting, but always gives an excuse or just simply isn’t able to do it.