The Catcher in the Rye: Chapter 10

The color-coded bars in this section make it easy to track the themes throughout the work. Each color corresponds to one of the themes explained in the Themes section of this LitChart. For instance, indicates that all five themes apply to that part of the summary.

Summary Analysis Themes

Holden again considers calling Phoebe. Holden describes Phoebe: she has red hair, is very intelligent, funny, and creative (she writes about a girl detective named Hazel Weatherfield) and is one of the few people who truly understands him. Her only flaw is that she can be emotional.

Holden seems to believe that only children—Allie, Phoebe—can understand him. It’s ironic, though, that he faults Phoebe for being emotional. Clearly, Holden is emotional as well.

Bored and not tired, Holden goes to the hotel nightclub, the Lavender Room. He orders a drink, but the waiter asks for an ID.

Holden hates adulthood, but pretends to be older.

Soon Holden starts flirting with three women visiting from Seattle. He asks one, a blond named Bernice Krebs, to dance. Though she’s a good dancer he thinks Bernice is a “moron” and is offended when she asks his age.

Holden tries to trick women into liking him; whenever he senses this is working he thinks the woman is dumb for falling for the trick. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps him alone.

Holden soon becomes depressed by the women’s obsession with movie stars. He eventually lies and says he just saw Gary Cooper, and one of the three claims to have also seen him. Eventually, Holden pays for their drinks, and departs.

Again Holden successfully reveals the phoniness of others. But he is just as phony. Is his hatred of them connected to hatred of himself?