The Catcher in the Rye Chapter 22

Holden and Phoebe continue to talk. Both have a penchant for distraction and digression from the topic at hand. Holden even digresses by considering the tragic case of James Castle, who Holden had attended school with at a previous boarding school. James was thin, shy, and timid. However, he had once made a comment about another student, Phil Stabile, saying that Phil was conceited. Despite the accuracy of the claim, Phil and his band of bullies had locked James in his room and had tried to torture a retraction out of him. James had refused, eventually jumping out of the window to escape. James had been killed in the fall.  

Holden discusses his thoughts on being a “catcher in the rye.” Finally, he considers calling Mr. Antolini, a former teacher, to see about a place to stay for the night.   

Analysis: 

Holden’s consideration of James weighs heavily on him. He respects the courage that James demonstrated in not relenting to the demands of the bullies. Holden also harbors deep resentment for those who would harm an innocent boy.  

The conversation steers back to Holden’s pessimism. When he tells Phoebe of something he would like to do, that of being the catcher in the rye, he is digging deeply into his own soul. He carefully explains that this means that he wishes to stand guard at the edge of a field of rye, and if any of the innocent children playing in field come to close to the cliff at the edge of the field, he’d be the one to protect them from falling.  

However, Phoebe’s childhood inability to process the depth of this concept shows when she soon turns the topic at hand to the fact that her friend Phyllis has been teaching her to belch, a skill that she demonstrates for Holden.  

Holden considers calling Mr. Antolini, to see if he might be able to stay there for the night. Holden does not want to be there when his parents arrive home.