As Holden leaves the Lavender Room he again starts to think
about Jane Gallagher. He recalls how he met her and that she was the only
person to whom he ever showed Allie's baseball mitt He also remembers how
good he felt when he was with her.
Review:
The chapter reinforces Holden's earlier feelings about Jane
Gallagher and his memories describe a sincere, emotional relationship that
he experienced with her.
Chapter Twelve:
Still note wanting to go to sleep, Holden takes a cab to a Greenwich
Village nightclub called Ernie's. On the way he again starts a conversation
with the cabdriver about where the ducks go from the Central Park lagoon in
the winter. The guy got angry and the conversation didn't continue.
At Ernie's, Holden listens to the piano player and drinks some
Scotch and soda. He meets a girl named Lillian Simmons whom his brother D.
B. used to date. In order not to have to stay with her, he leaves.
Review:
Holden continues to show his restlessness and disillusionment
with people when he is at the nightclub. He finds that people are phony and
boring and can't leave fast enough when he meets Lillian Simmons.
Chapter Thirteen:
Even though it is quite cold, Holden decides to walk back to
the hotel rather than take another cab. He regrets that he doesn't have a
pair of gloves and wonders who stole them from him at Pencey. He admits to
being a coward because he knows that even if he knew who took them, he wouldn't
do anything about it.
When he reaches the hotel, the elevator operator suggests sending
him a prostitute for five dollars, and Holden accepts. While waiting in his
room, he again calls himself a coward because he is still a virgin.
The girl is young, not very attractive, and has a squeaky voice.
When she takes off her dress, Holden loses his nerve and makes up a story
as to why he can't have sex with her. She tries to seduce him, questions his
age, and then gives up. Holden pays her anyway but she is not satisfied with
the amount and leaves in anger.
Review:
Holden's attempt at being with Sunny represents another attempt
at seeking companionship even on a superficial level. His encounter with the
prostitute depicts a need to give vent to his sexual drive, yet being unable
to find fulfillment in an artificial setting.
Chapter Fourteen:
After Sunny leaves, Holden finally gets undressed and goes to
bed. He is suddenly awakened by a knock. He opens the door and is confronted
by Maurice and Sunny who came back to collect the extra five dollars that
Sunny had demanded. Holden tries to refuse but is knocked to the ground when
Maurice slugs him. Sunny takes the money and she and Maurice leave the room.
Review:
Holden displays a lack of maturity when he begins to argue about
the five dollars with Maurice. This encounter pushes Holden further into feeling
isolated and angry at the world. He also displays his immaturity when he breaks
down and cries after Maurice takes the money.
Chapter Fifteen:
In the morning, Holden calls Sally Hayes and makes a date with
her to go to a matinee. After signing out of the hotel, he checks his belongings
in a locker at Grand Central Station and goes to eat breakfast. In the luncheonette
he meets some nuns with whom he strikes up a conversation. They start to talk
about Romeo and Juliet and Holden is surprised that they would know about
it. He donates ten dollars to one of their charities and is sorry that he
did afterwards.
Review:
Even though Holden has had an unpleasant experience the previous
night, he doesn't change his ways. His encounter with the nuns changes his
stereotyped understanding of organized religion. He also is surprised that
they don't seem to have the phoniness that he feels exists in the world.
___________________________
