Holden

            Is there anything going on in Holden's life that he likes, or that he is happy with? This is a very arguable question, and the answer very well may flunctuate during the novel. Holden does not seem to think about his happiness level often, but towards the end of the novel his sister stops him and asks him if he likes or is happy about anything. There are, however, at least three things throughout the novel that Holden is happy with. Although one of them is obvious, one may have to look deeper into Holden to grasp either of the other two.
             Holden likes his little sister Phoebe and is obviously happy with his relationship with her. He talks to her about a lot of stuff he can not say to most others, and genuinely seems to respect her more than every other character in the book. He does not seem to question the way she acts, or if she is a phony. However, she does question him at times. "You don"t like anything that's happening," she says (Salinger, 169). They argue, and she asks him to name something he likes. Holden becomes preoccupied and doesn't respond. He tells her that he liked Allie, and eventually the conversation ends with the two siblings being angry. Phoebe is only angry because she is upset for Holden, and she wants him to be happy and have things in his life that he does like. They love and respect each other, which is why Holden enjoys his relationship with his sister. And he never accuses her of being a phony. .
             Holden also likes New York. He is happy being there, getting away from things back home; the city is almost like an escape for him. Although he does not state the fact that he likes the city or the lifestyle, it is the one thing that Holden seems to not criticize. The city life seems to help Holden grow up a little bit; he has many different experiences and encounters. He likes to go out to clubs, even if he does not like the people there. He does not even seem to like to drink that much, but does it to sort of fit in.