An example of a time in the book where Holden lets us in on when he's "shooting the crap" with someone is pretty much the whole chapter eight, when he's talking to Ernest's mother. He goes on to her and says, "Old, Ernie. He's one of the most popular boys at Pencey. Did you know that?," and then later on, in the third paragraph on pg. 56 he says, "Old Mrs. Morrow didn't say anything, but boy, you should've seen her. I had her glued to her seat. You take somebody's mother, all they want to hear about is what a hot-shot their son is." Another example of when he's "shooting the crap" with us, is on pg 78 when he says "It was the only time Jane and I ever got close to necking, even." But as you find out through the story, that Jane and Holden weren't engaging into any romantic situation, he was simply kissing to comfort her. He lead us on to believe that some romance, or some tension had gone on with him and Jane.
I believe that Holden "shoots the crap" with people to avoid the reality of his own situation. He wants to be more then he is. I think he has this longing inside of him, that he might not even realize to be something more. I believe he secretly wants to be somebody who is going somewhere with their life, and by shooting the crap with people he avoids telling the truth. He avoids his own personal problems, and makes up this intricate lies to be more then he is. To avoid things. You get the sense that he's not happy with who is because he gives you little snip-its of insight into his deeper feelings. For example on page 39 he says, "I mean- but outside of that I don't care much. I mean I'm not going to be a goddam surgeon or violinist or anything anyway." It's very subtle but at the end of this sentence he gives us a small insight into how he really feels about his future. He has no hope, no plans, and basically no future. He shoots the crap to avoid dealing with all of his problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment