The Catcher in the Rye Group

Question:

mamamama
mamamama
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What evidence is there that shows us that Holden probably doesn't look as old as he says he looks in "The Catcher in the Rye"?

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Posted by mamamama on Monday September 29, 2008 at 9:18 PM and tagged with age, holden, the catcher in the rye.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Once in New York at the cheap hotel, Holden goes down to the bar. He enters the Lavender Room, and the bartender refuses to sell him a drink. Holden thinks that he has the whole thing figured out, how to order the drink, act like you know what you are talking about and the bartender won't see that he's too young. It doesn't work, because Holden is only 16 years old.

    "I ordered a Scotch and soda, and told him not to mix it, I said it fast as hell, because if you hem and haw, they think you're under twenty-one and won't sell you any intoxicating liquor. I had trouble with him anyway, though, "I'm sorry, sir," he said, "but do you have some verification of your age? Your driver's license, perhaps?" (Salinger)

    The prostitute, Sunny, that Holden arranged for with Maurice, the elevator operator, questions him about his age. He tells her that he is twenty-two. She does not believe him she says:

    "Hey, how hold are you anyways?" (Salinger)

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/catcher

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Tuesday September 30, 2008 at 7:30 AM