When we last left Holden, he was leaving the ice skating rink from his failed attempt of a date with Sally. He ended chapter 17 saying that he was a madman for meaning what he said to Sally about her coming with him. Salinger starts chapter 18 with Holden talking about Jane and how he wanted to call her to meet up with her. Then he goes on to say that he doesn't understand why she dated Al Pike, a complete showoff. Holden decides to call Carl Luce to have dinner with him and "catch up". Holden badgers Carl with questions about sex to try and have an intellectual conversations but his attempts were immature and causes Carl to leave. Holden then gets completely drunk and breaks down crying. Holden then decides to walk home. Holden is finally reunited with his sister and she has so much to say to him; part of which is telling him that their father i going to "kill" him. Phoebe gives Holden her Christmas money she had been saving up and he leaves.
Pages 175 - 234
Quote:
"Then, all of a sudden, I started to cry." (Salinger 233)
Reaction:
I felt that this quote was important because we now get to feel sympathy for Holden. Since the beginning of this novel Holden says he doesn't want us to hear the "sappy" part of his story. Within these chapters, you see Holden break down in front of his sister and he himself is confused. He doesn't know why he is crying, he doesn't know why he cant't stop, and he doesn't know what to do anymore. I believe that this may be the turning point in Holden's madman story. I think that from now on he's going to make an effort to change.
