Editor's Choice
In The Catcher in the Rye, why was Holden nervous about Stradlater's date with Jane Gallagher?
Quick answer:
Holden is nervous about Stradlater's date with Jane Gallagher because he harbors deep feelings for Jane but lacks the confidence to pursue her himself. He fears Stradlater, who is known for being unscrupulous with women, will try to seduce Jane. Holden's nervousness stems from jealousy, possessiveness, and a protective instinct toward Jane, whom he respects too much to seduce himself. His mixed emotions are complex and not fully understood by him.
Holden talks about Jane Gallagher and thinks about her throughout the entire novel. He is obviously in love with this nice, sensitive girl, but he is too shy to try to win her affection--or else he has too much of an inferiority complex to believe she would be interested in him as a steady boyfriend. Holden is "nervous" about Stradlater going out with Jane because he knows Stradlater all too well. He is quite sure that Stradlater will do his best to seduce Jane, as he does with every girl he takes out on a date. Holden uses the term "nervous," but actually he feels jealous, possessive, and protective. He respects Jane too much to think of trying to seduce her himself, and he hates to think of an unscrupulous phony as Stradlater taking advantage of the girl he loves. Characteristically, Holden does not fully understand his feelings and can only think of the word "nervous" to cover a number of unpleasant and conflicting mixed emotions.
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