January 29, 2013
6:30-7
The Catcher in the Rye
Pages: 181-194

Holden goes to Mr. Antolini's place and sees his wife and remembers how they used to come for dinner at his house and play tennis together. He likes these people because they're intellectuals and witty. They start talking about how Holden failed everything except English but he failed oral expression which is a speeches class. Because he's not feeling good, he doesn't want to get into it but he does anyway. He recalls how they're suppose to stick to the topic in the class and if they start to digress the class tells digression. He remembers on guy in particular would talk about interesting things but it wasn't about the initial topic and everyone would tell digression. This bothered him because he doesn't care if the person digresses its just nice to see them exciting and talking about something interesting. Mr. Antolini gives him some advice telling him there's a time and place for everything and they continue their conversation over coffee and cake. Holden doesn't feel too well and is very sleepy but stays awake anyway out of respect. Mr. Antolini is clearly inebriated but continues to drink more. He reveals to Holden that he had lunch with his dad who has received the letter and how his dad is concerned about him. He also puts his two cents in about Holden's problems and Holden says he doesn't hate anyone he just gets them for a while and gives examples of ackley and stradlater. He thinks Holden is giving up before he actually gets started and gives more opinions and advice.  Holden yawns and goes to sleep on the couch where they prepared it with linens and such. Because he doesn't have any pyjamas he sleeps in his shorts. He is woken up by a hand touching his head. It's Mr. Antolini and Holden freaks out because this kind of stuff has happened to him before and puts his clothes back on and says he has to go get his bags at the train station and leaves Mr. Antolini's home.

What shocked me was what happened to Holden at Mr. Antolini's house. Also, if this has happened to him before a lot of stuff is starting to make sense. However, if he knew this kind of thing happens to him all the time why would he take a chance and stay there.

My reading was alright today but I started thinking about how what happened to Holden must happen to lots of kids.