January 25, 2013
6:40-7
The Catcher in the Rye
Pages: 149-157

Holden gets really drunk at the bar where this girl is singing to a guy with wavy hair playing piano. He asks the waiter to give her a message but he thinks she will never get it because people never give your messages. He then walked over to a phone booth and called Sally. He realized he was drunk and after talking a bit she hung up. Holden then walked into the washroom and stuck his head in a sink full of cold water. With his hair soaking wet, Holden feels cold and goes over to sit on the radiator where it's warm because he's shivering. There, he meets the guy who was playing the piano. Holden strikes up a conversation with the guy while he combs his hair. The guy isn't very talkative and tells Holden to go home. He went to get his coat and hat and record and starts off towards the lagoon in Central Park to see if the ducks were there. On his way there, he drops the record and it shatters. He looks around and almost falls into the lagoon but he stops and sits on a bench. He starts thinking that he will get pneumonia and starts picturing his funeral. He remembers his brother allie's funeral and gives some opinions on funerals and what not. He only has $3 and is going to go home and attempt to break in to see his sister.

The most interesting idea in what I've read is Holden's opinion on funerals and how it's a waste and pointless to give flowers to the tombstone of the person. I agree with this. Although some people think its nice and respectful it really is a waste. You should respect and visit the person while they are alive and not wait until after they die to show how much you respect them. It's just for show and is a waste.

I read well because this chapter was very interesting and touched some deep subjects despite Holden's inebriated state.