In chapter 23 of The Catcher in the Rye, how does Phoebe cover for Holden?
Phoebe does not reveal to her mother that her brother is hiding in the closet at the moment that she comes into the room. Nor does she tell her parents after he sneaks out of the apartment that he was home at all.
In fact Phoebe keeps Holden's secret about being in New York City before school is officially out for holiday break. Phoebe loves her brother and fears for him. She believes that their father will be very angry when he discovers that Holden flunked out of another school.
So even though Phoebe is also angry and disappointed with Holden, she does not tell her parents that he is in New York. She allows him to follow through on his own decision-making plans. Fortunately, Holden loves Phoebe enough to decide not to go out west to work on a ranch, but to go home instead.
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The reason Holden came home was so that he could say goodbye to his sister. Luckily, his parents weren't home, and he is able to sneak in. Phoebe is thrilled to see Holden, but then realizes why he is there. He had flunked out again.
This is a very important scene for the novel because it presents both sides of Holden to the reader, and the title is made clear as well. He explains to his sister that he can't see himself being any kind of scientist or lawyer. The only thing he can see for his future is being a catcher in the rye--someone who watches over and protects young kids from any type of danger from the edge of a field of rye. This is both admitting that he is a failure and proving that he is sensitive to those who don't fit into society because they're either outcasts or powerless.
Phoebe understands this and begins to celebrate with him. They dance to about four songs on the radio, and then are surprised that her mother comes to her door. She saw Phoebe's light was on. Phoebe covers for him by telling her mother that she couldn't sleep, and the smoke she smells is from her smoking--but she only took one puff. Her mother is convinced and she leaves. This gets Holden off the hook, and he is able to sneak back out.
How does Phoebe mimic Holden when talking to her parents in chapter 23 of The Catcher in the Rye?
Phoebe's diction resembling Holden's in Chapter 23 is meant to complicate the reader's perception of so-called "childhood innocence."
Phoebe is ten years old, not at all a teenager like Holden. Holden believes all children are sweet and pure of mind, untouched by phoniness or cynicism. However, Phoebe does not fit this mold. Her using terms like "lousy" while complaining about dinner and the cook shows that she too sees the world is not perfect.
In many ways, Phoebe is more mature than her older brother. However, she does not have Holden's all-or-nothing view of life. She accepts that life is not ideal all the time. She also accepts that childhood must end and does not mourn that fact. She tells Holden he is behaving like a fool.