Catcher In The Rye Holden's Loss Analysis

From this previous passage, we see that Holden’s deceased brother Allie brought happiness to his life, even though he’s gone, and the traumatic, emotional effects that this loss has on him. The memory of Allie that Holden reminisces on actually brought happiness and optimism to his life, in contrary to the depressive and very pessimistic mood Holden seems to be stuck in throughout the novel. Phoebe’s reminder that their brother Allie was dead, shows that she has coped and accepted Allie’s death, though Holden hasn’t accepted that he was gone. He latched onto the happiness he felt with Allie, being one of the very few things that are bringing him happiness during the depressive, continuous downfall he’s currently experiencing in life, besides

Phoebe discernibly doesn’t understand why Holden can’t let go, presumably because he meant so much to Holden, who couldn’t cope as easily with the loss than Phoebe did, and still struggles in doing so how long ago it occurred. The misunderstanding is seen when she says, “Allie’s dead―You always say that! If somebody’s dead and everything, and in Heaven, then it isn’t really―”, clarifying that she’s already accepted the loss of her brother, and that Holden should too, and that Holden should find happiness in something else since Allie was dead―that he should find happiness in something else that’s still here in his life. When she says this, Holden cuts her off and elucidates “I know he’s dead! Don’t you think I know that?”, and it is suggested that he doesn’t want to be reminded that he’s gone and is annoyed by her response, when he already knows, yet can’t accept and understand that clinging onto the memory of the deceased for happiness in life, will only be more heartbreaking and difficult for him when he can’t find happiness in anything