Lecture Notes: The Catcher in the Rye - Chapter 12

Key Characters

• Holden Caulfield: The protagonist, struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Phoebe Caulfield: Holden's younger sister, someone he wishes he could talk to.
• Lillian Simmons: An acquaintance who once dated Holden's brother, introduces her current date to Holden.

Plot Summary

• Cab Ride:

  • Holden takes a cab and wishes to converse with his sister Phoebe.
  • He asks the driver about the ducks in Central Park, a recurring question about where they go in winter.
  • The driver avoids the ducks question but talks about fish surviving frozen in ice.

• Ernie's Nightclub:

  • The nightclub is crowded with prep school and college students.
  • Holden criticizes Ernie’s piano playing style, finding it snobby, though the crowd enjoys it.
  • Lillian Simmons recognizes Holden and introduces her date.
  • Holden, disliking the forced politeness, claims he’s about to leave and actually does so.

Themes

• Loneliness and Isolation:

  • Holden feels lonely despite being in a crowded place.
  • He experiences isolation, as seen in his solitary departure from Ernie’s.
  • Words like "lonely," "quiet," and "lonesome" are reiterated in this and previous chapters.

• Search for Connection:

  • Holden seeks connections but is hindered by his own youth and insecurities.
  • He considers calling various people but doesn’t, reinforcing his isolation.
  • Imagines talking to Jane, someone he had a true connection with, and longs to see his sister Phoebe.

Holden's Internal Struggle

• Desire for Social Interaction:

  • Feels foolish sitting alone and dreads returning to the hotel alone.
  • The conversations around him at Ernie’s highlight his solitude.
  • Continues to move from place to place seeking human contact but struggles to find it.

• Longing for Genuine Connections:

  • While he thinks of calling people, his thoughts frequently go to Jane and Phoebe.
  • This longing underscores his desire for authentic relationships.

Important Symbols

• Ducks in Central Park:
  • Represent Holden’s concern with change and the unknown.
  • Recurs as a metaphor for his own struggles with where he belongs and what happens during times of transition.