The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
Characterization
In chapter eleven, Holden Caufield thinks about Jane
Gallagher and all the time they spent together. His stream of consciousness
about her characterizes who she is and helps the audience know why Holden cares
for her. He characterizes her through stories of how they met and his memories
of their interactions together. For example, “I remember this one afternoon. It
was the only time old Jane and I ever got close to necking, even… Then she
really started to cray, and the next thing I knew, I was kissing her all over—anywhere—her
eyes, her nose… She sort of wouldn’t let me get to her mouth,” (Salinger,
78-79). Holden and Jane were obviously very good friends who cared deeply for
each other. This excerpt also characterizes Jane as modest and different from
how most girls would act. Being less physical with Holden actually attracted
him more than silly girls who just want to get physical. Holden reveals through
his own actions how much he cares about and trusts Jane. For example, “She was
the only one, outside my family, that I ever showed Allie’s baseball mitt to,
with all the poems written on it,” (Salinger, 77). Through his descriptions of
being with other girls seeming meaningless, we can easily decipher that Jane is
his ultimate love and friend. His action of showing Jane one of his most
treasured possessions speaks volumes towards his feelings about her.
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