Bookend convos

    One pattern I found interesting about The Catcher in the Rye is how the story is "bookended" by Holden's conversations with influential teachers in his life. The two conversations are similar on the surface, but their drastic differences are the main indicators to Holden's character and growth throughout the story. These indications reveal what would probably be the best strategy for framing advice to Holden in a way that wouldn't cause him to dismiss you as another phony, and prove that The Catcher in the Rye is, in fact, a coming-of-age novel.

    The similarities between the two conversations are what set the background to display their striking differences. Both conversations take place between Holden and one of his teachers regarding concern for Holden's education and future. Both teachers touch on Holden's expulsion from Pencey and how Holden's future won't look promising unless he makes a stronger effort to do well in school. Beyond this, however, the conversations are quite different. 

    Holden's honesty is one of the most striking differences between the two conversations. In the conversation with Spencer, Holden's actual thoughts are completely different from what he really lets on to Spencer. His lack of engagement throughout the conversation is evident; the conversation could even be described as a one-way "lecture" from Spencer to Holden. Furthermore, Spencer is highly passive aggressive throughout the conversation and he clearly has no hope for Holden's future, as he expresses his concerns but doesn't provide Holden with solutions or guidance. Throughout the conversation, Holden nonchalantly accepts the dull future Spencer describes for him and ultimately only regrets his visit with Spencer because of how boring it was. In contrast, the conversation with Antolini was more of an honest back-and-forth talk between friends, in part because Antolini is much more understanding of Holden than Spencer is. Antolini believes strongly that Holden can make a better future for himself if he chooses to, and he provides Holden with advice on doing so. In a way, Holden also seems to feel more of an urge to prove that he cares somewhat about school when he actively denies Antolini's accusations of cutting class. The conversation leaves Holden actually considering and thinking about Antolini's words, indicating that the conversation was much more effective than that of Spencer and Holden. 

    Holden's loneliness and desperation at that point in the novel might have played some part in the effectiveness of the conversation, not to mention his preexisting respect for Antolini. Nonetheless, it's pretty clear that the nature of Antolini's conversation with Holden had a major role in the conversation's success and exhibited the best strategies of how to give advice to Holden. For example, like Antolini, I would talk to Holden as a friend and equal (rather than a superior) and try to be understanding. I would also make the conversation optimistic, to balance out Holden's negativity, and let him know that there's potential for him to act on his problems. 

    Moreover, the conversation with Antolini is the first point where Holden starts considering applying himself in school and thinking about his future, which indicates a significant jump in maturity. For this reason, I definitely wouldn't consider The Catcher in the Rye a failed coming of age novel. Even though his growth may seem subtle, it's still improvement. More conversations similar to the one with Antolini would probably get Holden closer to fully coming of age and being more accepting of society.