Chapter 11: Madison Frandina
“She was interested in that kind
of stuff.”
This line allows us to finally get insight in what Holden has
been yearning for the whole book. In this sentence his sarcasm almost
completely vanishes, and we are able to see what he needs. All Holden wants is
someone who cares and could possibly tear down the wall he puts up. Someone he
can talk to about anything to everything that pops into his head. Whether it is
about checkers or showing Jane Allie’s baseball mitt, all Holden wants is an
ear. Throughout Catcher and the Rye, we see him search for one again. He tries
to get Spencer, a prostitute, Ackley, and even a cab driver to hear what is
going on in his messed up mind. However, he cannot find a Jane. Someone who has
also experienced emotional heartache and is “interested in that kind of stuff.
Get up, get out, get away from these
liars
'Cause they don't get your soul or your
fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through
mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for
the last time
Every minute from this minute now
We can do what we like anywhere
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look
into mine
This song by Snow Patrol has lyrics that relate directly to Chapter
11. All Holden wants is for someone to open their eyes, and just look into his.
He wants someone to realize how much sorrow Holden holds. He just wants someone
to notice. Also since Holden thinks all adults are phonys and liars the first
line of lyrics above is saying he just wants someone like Jane who is not fake
to relate to him. Finally, the third like talking about holding hands describes
how Holden and Jane act. A simple gesture of holding hands allows them to
escape a “dark room” and be there for each other. Do you think he allows people to destroy the
wall or that people just never open their eyes and see he needs another Jane in
his life?
Like our class discussion, I feel like Holden wants someone to open his or her eyes into the heart and soul of our struggling character. I see him leaning more towards woman and wanting to open up to someone who is as softhearted and loving as he is. He wants to feel wanted and understood. Holden hasn't been able to find this quite yet.
ReplyDeleteAlthough he tends to lean toward woman, Holden has attempted to open up to males as well. One troubling fact is that he attempted to open up to Ackley, but every time Ackley would ask about anything, Holden would shut him out. Honestly, I don't think Holden knows what he wants.