Holden Caulfield Relationship

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In the novel, Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, The main protagonist, Holden Caulfield, longs for intimacy or some type of deep, profound emotional connection with other human beings. Throughout his life Holden attempts different types of relationships with a variety of different people he meets. He attempts different types of intimacy with a few different people, such as with Phoebe as his sister and best friend, Mr. Antolinni as his role model, and Jane Gallagher as his friend during the summer. He has a distinct relationship with all three of these characters and a different type of intimacy develops with each. Phoebe has always been an important person in Holden’s life. According to him, Phoebe is not only the most sympathetic listener, but also the smartest kid ever, the funniest person ever, and the best dancer he knows ever. He backs this up when he says, “You’d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you're talking about. I mean you can even take her anywhere with you. If you take her to a lousy movie, for instance, she knows it's a lousy movie. If you take her to a pretty good movie, she knows it's a pretty good movie.” She helps him develop more into a good person by being around him and …show more content…
Antolini has been a role model to Holden ever since he witnessed him carry the student who killed himself to medical help. They have been good friends for a long time and because of that they grew very close to one another. Although they have been good friends, there have been many instances where Mr.Antolini has come onto Holden in ways that normal friends do not do. For instance, he calls Holden “handsome” before he goes to bed, he pets his head while he sleeps, he “forgets” to give him pajamas so Holden is forced to sleep in his underwear, he also comments on Holden’s “long legs”. His attraction to Holden can be looked at the same way Holden is attracted to the young kids at the
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