According to Holden, Phoebe is not only the smartest kid ever, but also the most sympathetic listener, and the funniest little sister. "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" (Salinger 67). Before Phoebe is introduced to the story, Holden’s side of the story is all we’ve been given. He implies that he is the only noble character in a world of superficial and phony adults. There seems to be a simple contrast between the sweet world of childhood innocence, where Holden wants to stay, and the cruel world of shallow adult dissimulation, where he’s afraid to go. Phoebe complicates Holden's story because instead of sympathizing with him, Phoebe understands that growing up is a necessary process. Next to Phoebe, Holden’s stunted emotional maturity and stubborn outlook seem less charming and much more foolish. When we finally meet Phoebe in their parents' apartment, she's basically everything Holden said she would be, while still being believably ten years old.The blend of child-like enthusiasm and adult-like acuteness makes Phoebe so compelling. Her notebook entry has exclamation points, which is childish, but she later points out to Holden that he doesn't like anything, which is very observant and adult-like. "You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things" (Salinger 169). She's also smart enough to figure out that Holden's gotten the ax from Pencey, but responds by putting a pillow over her head and repeating, "Daddy'll kill you," which also shows both her mature and childish sides. The way Phoebe switches between acting like a little kid and a grown-up resembles the way Holden himself acts as well. It's almost as though Phoebe's a younger version of Holden; no wonder he wants to protect her so badly, and no wonder he starts to feel so happy when he sees her. Though Phoebe never explicitly states it, she seems to realize that Holden’s bitterness towards the rest of the world is really bitterness towards himself. Though Phoebe is similar to Holden in that she has both child-like and adult-like qualities, she is also very different. Holden is often very isolated and feels lonesome all the time. He judges almost everybody he meets and is quick to call them all phonies. Phoebe isn't as judgmental and is more sensitive, so she gets attached to things and people very easily, unlike Holden. "She had her hand on her mouth and all. She gets very emotional, I swear to God" (Salinger 165). This more caring side of Phoebe is one reason why she isn't as lonely or depressed as Holden. She sees that he is a deeply depressed, insecure, lonely young man who needs love and support, and Phoebe is maybe the only person willing to give him all the love and support he desperately needs and deserves. Not only is Holden protecting Phoebe, but she is protecting him as well.
Phoebe is the Best
According to Holden, Phoebe is not only the smartest kid ever, but also the most sympathetic listener, and the funniest little sister. "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" (Salinger 67). Before Phoebe is introduced to the story, Holden’s side of the story is all we’ve been given. He implies that he is the only noble character in a world of superficial and phony adults. There seems to be a simple contrast between the sweet world of childhood innocence, where Holden wants to stay, and the cruel world of shallow adult dissimulation, where he’s afraid to go. Phoebe complicates Holden's story because instead of sympathizing with him, Phoebe understands that growing up is a necessary process. Next to Phoebe, Holden’s stunted emotional maturity and stubborn outlook seem less charming and much more foolish.
When we finally meet Phoebe in their parents' apartment, she's basically everything Holden said she would be, while still being believably ten years old.The blend of child-like enthusiasm and adult-like acuteness makes Phoebe so compelling. Her notebook entry has exclamation points, which is childish, but she later points out to Holden that he doesn't like anything, which is very observant and adult-like. "You don't like any schools. You don't like a million things" (Salinger 169). She's also smart enough to figure out that Holden's gotten the ax from Pencey, but responds by putting a pillow over her head and repeating, "Daddy'll kill you," which also shows both her mature and childish sides.
The way Phoebe switches between acting like a little kid and a grown-up resembles the way Holden himself acts as well. It's almost as though Phoebe's a younger version of Holden; no wonder he wants to protect her so badly, and no wonder he starts to feel so happy when he sees her. Though Phoebe never explicitly states it, she seems to realize that Holden’s bitterness towards the rest of the world is really bitterness towards himself.
Though Phoebe is similar to Holden in that she has both child-like and adult-like qualities, she is also very different. Holden is often very isolated and feels lonesome all the time. He judges almost everybody he meets and is quick to call them all phonies. Phoebe isn't as judgmental and is more sensitive, so she gets attached to things and people very easily, unlike Holden. "She had her hand on her mouth and all. She gets very emotional, I swear to God" (Salinger 165). This more caring side of Phoebe is one reason why she isn't as lonely or depressed as Holden. She sees that he is a deeply depressed, insecure, lonely young man who needs love and support, and Phoebe is maybe the only person willing to give him all the love and support he desperately needs and deserves. Not only is Holden protecting Phoebe, but she is protecting him as well.