Character Analysis

Describe five important characters in the novel. You may get a higher grade if you included more. Write your own details about each character and add pictures to convey the character's physical appearance (hair, height, weight).

For this entry, I decided I wanted to analyze the characters, not in a physical way, but in the way they think, the way they act.

»   Holden: oh dear Holden, where can I begin with you? This kid is a complete mess. But it is okay, because nobody is perfect and it is easier for the reader to identify with someone that is human. Holden has been living on a permanent stage of denial ever since he lost his brother Allie, which has affected him deeply. He doesn’t know how to express what he feels, and he is completely reluctant to let others see the true him. All this denial and anger has built up inside him, causing him to take it out on people who really, don’t deserve it (hence Mr. Antolini). He doesn’t like change, he is afraid of it and he does not want stuff in his life to completely turn around, even if at this point he should know change is the only constant…

»   Phoebe: if you looked up “innocence” in the dictionary, a picture of Phoebe Caulfield would pop up. This girl has the power to melt anyone’s heart, even the coldest ones. She is way too mature for her age, not like any other kid you might find in 6^th grade. I think that, among her multiple traits, the best one would be: understanding. Now, you may be confused, because when Holden describes her he talks about how great of a listener she is, but the thing is; I don’t think she only “listens”, she understands.

»   DB: this character is mentioned very little times on the book, but still, it holds a certain importance. You see, at the beginning of the book, Holden shows himself very mad towards DB’s “prostitution” happening in Hollywood. After that, DB is not mentioned much, except for the last chapter, where Holden tells us about how DB visits him where he is, and he asks him questions, he shows him he cares, and gives him the security of having a brotherly shoulder to lean on.

»   Stradlater: the typical 50s babe; handsome, sexy and unworried about school whatsoever. Although I have got to say, he must have been very stupid to room with Holden for so long, and not realizing he had a problem, much less, not even caring. He isn’t too fond of listening, but he does like asking Holden for favors. I guess in some way Holden was grateful for Stradlater, because he didn’t care, and that’s why he never asked.

»   Mr. Antolini: have you ever seen / met / read about someone and thought; “Wow, he just knows”. No? Well, Mr. Antolini can be that character for you, that character that worries about the physical, mental and emotional health of someone else. He worries so much about Holden’s well-being; he would do anything to make Holden get some help. He knows Holden needs professional help but he is not aggressive about it. Mr. Antolini really wants to fully understand what is up with Holden, he wants to help him and show him he matters. It was really sad seeing Holden rejecting his affection, but it is not so bad once you reflect on it, and realize Holden really appreciated his support (hence him keeping the note).

»   Holden’s parents: oh dear, if I could, I would straight up jump into the book and smack them both. I don’t know what it was; but it was either denial, or blindness what avoided them to see the state Holden was in. All through the book, I couldn’t help but think; “But where are his parents?”. I couldn’t believe the hypocrisy, the selfishness and the lack of responsibility they showed by making Holden assist to school after school, just so they didn’t have to deal with his problem themselves. They worried too much about keeping the perfect façade, when their lives were more than troubled. Maybe if they had spoken their problems out from the beginning to create a safer environment for them and their kids, everything would have been different…