Even though we’ve moved on from
this book (because this post is super late), I’d like to delve into the odd
ending to the encounter between Holden and Mr. Antolini. This is such a strange
interaction, and since we were busy talking about bigger things in class, I’ve
decided to use this blog post to discuss the scene.
The main question that Salinger
leaves ambiguous is whether or not there’s a history of sexual abuse between
Antolini and Holden. In my opinion, both answers would be perfectly logical,
but I’m leaning more towards the theory that Antolini has abused Holden in the
past. Not only would this theory explain Holden’s frantic reaction to waking up
to Antolini, but also the close relationship that they have. Speaking from what
I’ve gathered about the general view of sexual abuse (aka don’t take it for
total truth), child molesters often have a close relationship with their
victims. There are many cases of coaches, teachers, etc. who formed a close
relationship with a child and used the relationship to manipulate the child
into enduring sexual abuse, which makes their relationship even closer. As
Holden just calls Antolini up in the middle of the night, knows his wife well,
and is invited to stay over, the two have a relationship that is far closer than
your average teacher-student relationship. In addition, this theory could
possibly explain Holden being stuck in childhood and purity. Perhaps Holden is
jealous of and idolizes children because he sees his life as before the abuse
and after the abuse, longs for the happiness and innocence that he had before
the abuse, and thus finds comfort in kids around the age that he was before the
abuse. He idolizes Phoebe and young Jane because he has experienced firsthand
how fucked up adults are and Phoebe and young Jane represent the innocence and
goodness of children. Finally, this theory could fit with the “catcher in the
rye” thing that Holden talks about. Holden wants to be able to catch children
and prevent them from being screwed up by the world, or falling off the edge. Since
adults are the only corrupt beings, a makeshift-Neverland that is full of
children who never grow up would be ideal for preserving a haven of innocence
and goodness. The sexual abuse theory only strengthens this idea, because
Holden sees himself as having been corrupted by an adult and wants to be able
to save all the other children from enduring the same pain and corruption that
he had to.
Now I could definitely be wrong.
Holden’s rapidly deteriorating mental state could be the sole reason for his
frantic outburst to waking up to Antolini. Even still, I think that because
this encounter ends so ambiguously it’s worth diving into and looking at it
from all sides.
Gus, this is an interesting blogpost, and it really made me think. When I read that part, I assumed that Holden must have had some past trauma (maybe being sexually abused by someone), but it never occurred to me that it might've been Antolini. But when you bring it up like this, it does sound kinda plausible. Especially about the part how Antolini invites Holden to his house... I guess things might've been different in the past, but I would assume that most teachers don't do that sort of stuff (though, there is old Spencer...)? Though, like you said, we might be completely off and this event was just meant to show how off his rockers Holden is.
ReplyDeleteLike so much else with Holden, it's hard to know how to take his seemingly offhand comment about "stuff like that happening thousands of times to him" or whatever he says--which maybe hints at a history of such abuse, or maybe represents another of his hyperbolic pronouncements about ambiguous interactions like the one he portrays here.
ReplyDeleteYour speculation here is certainly plausible, and there are many ways in which Holden's behavior resembles that of a trauma victim. (And he IS a trauma victim, still reeling from the death of his dear brother, for which he has received some psychiatric treatment already.)
I personally resist this reading of Antolini simply because he's depicted as an extraordinarily caring and engaged character in so many other ways, and his advice to Holden is so good, heartfelt, and custom-shaped to this particular weird kid and his preoccupations. It seems undeniable that Antolini cares a lot about Holden, to the point of meeting for lunch with his father to discuss how they might help him. The head-patting is ambiguous, but it's certainly possible to read it as a sentimental, even paternal gesture of concern for a badly wounded (and self-wounding) young man. I don't know. It is a hard scene to get a clear reading on, and the possibilities you describe here are part of the troubling ambiguity.
I find this to be an interesting idea, this could be the cause of much of his behavior. On the other hand, I don't believe it for two reasons, for one, I totally think Holden would have told us, I mean he sets a lot on telling the reader everything, and this would break that. The second reason is that Mr. Antolini's petting of Holden's hair as simply knowing Holden didn't really listen to his advice, and feeling bad that someone he respects quite well, Holden, probably isn't going to have a good life, I mean Holden is running out of opportunities and it is starting to get to the point where he won't have anywhere to turn. Those are just my thoughts, this could definitely be true, Well written.
ReplyDelete