The Catcher in the Rye – Help with homework – Chapter 23

Why was James Castle important to Holden?

Jane is a character who we never actually meet in the novel. Her importance lies in the way that she is obviously one of the few women in the novel that Holden both likes and has a friendship with, and finds attractive. What is interesting about Holden’s relationship with Jane is that he clearly feels protective towards her, and this could mask his own attraction that he is perhaps unaware of.

How does Holden regard Mr. Antolini?

Holden calls Mr. Antolini.  Upset that Holden has been expelled from another school, Mr. Antolini invites Holden to come stay at to his house. Holden describes Mr. Antolini as the best teacher he ever had. Mr. Antolini was the only person who even went near James Castle’s body after he jumped out the window. Mr. Antolini represents Holden’s last hope: an adult he respects as non-phony, who, unlike other adults, tried to be a Catcher for James Castle. That’s what Holden’s looking for, someone to Catch him.

How does Phoebe manipulate her mother?

When her mother comes in, she tells Phoebe that she know she is awake because she saw the light and ask if Phoebe has been smoking. Phoebe makes up a story about lightening one, taking one puff  and then throwing it out of the window. After brief conversation about Phoebe’s evening her mother dismisses herself with complaints of a headache. Her mother get a lot of headaches since Allie died.

What does Phoebe give Holden?

Sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield has been expelled from multiple schools for failing classes and is avoiding going home for winter break to face his parents. At the beginning of Chapter 23 in J.D. Salinger’s novel of teenage angst, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden has snuck into his parent’s apartment to visit his little sister, Phoebe, while his parents are away at a party. Holden asks sister if she has any money he can borrow, and is moved to tears when she gives him all of her Christmas stash; $8.65. She tells Holden if he leaves, he will not be able to see her in her Christmas play. Holden says he will not go to Colorado to be a Ranch worker, until after he sees her in the Christmas play. As Holden is leaving, he suddenly starts crying. He tells us he is crying so hard that he cannot even stop. Phoebe becomes frightened for her brother. So, Holden gives Phoebe his red hunting cap. He tells us he is sure she will like it because she likes unique things like that. Holden says he bets she will even put it on after he leaves, and sleep in it.

What does Holden’s mother smell when she comes home?

After calling Mr. Antolini, Holden returns to D.B.’s room, now inhabited by Phoebe. She has the radio on, and she’s pretty good at it: ‘She stays right with you. You can cross over, or do some corny dips, or even jitterbug a little, and she stays right with you. You can even tango, for God’s sake.’. Holden lights a cigarette, and Phoebe explains how she can fake a fever. Suddenly, they hear their parents entering the apartment. Holden turns out the lamp, jams out the cigarette, and hides in the closet. His mother checks on Phoebe and, smelling the cigarette, scolds her for smoking.

What does Holden ask to borrow from Phoebe?

Because he is nearly broke, Holden asks if he might borrow some money from Phoebe. He is moved to tears when his sister gives him her Christmas stash, eight dollars and sixty-five cents. Holden’s emotions frighten Phoebe, but they are not surprising. He is not nearly as independent as he pretends to be. In addition, physically and mentally, he is barely maintaining a delicate balance between function and collapse. Leaving the apartment, he is somewhat careless about making noise. He tells us that he almost wishes that his parents would catch him. Holden is 16 years old, confused, depressed, and lonely. It’s almost Christmas. He needs a home.

What time is it when Holden calls Mr. Antolini?

In the middle of the night  Holden makes a quick phone call to his favorite former English teacher, Mr. Antolini, afraid that if he takes too long, his parents may come home and find him. It takes Mr. Antolini a while to answer the phone, so he was probably sleeping. When Holden explains that he has been kicked out of Pencey, Mr. Antolini invites him over. Mr. Antolini is the one who carried James Castle’s body away when James jumped out of his window to his death. According to Holden: ‘Old Mr. Antolini felt his pulse and all, and then he took off his coat and put it over James Castle and carried him all the way over to the infirmary. He didn’t even give a damn if his coat got all bloody.’