Holden and his teachers

Even though Holden was kicked out of a few schools, and for the most part he did not like many people in the schools whether they were students or teachers, he came to like a few teachers. At his most recent school he came to be friends with old Mr. Spencer who was his history teacher. I am not sure why Holden was fond of Mr. Spencer over many of his other teachers, especially seeing as how he taught one of the classes that Holden failed, history. Mr. Spencer is an extraordinarily wise man who begins to lecture Holden and Holden does not like this. Even though Holden chose to go and visit Mr. Spencer instead of going to the football game or something, he did make up a lie to try and get out of the lecture saying he "has equipment in the gym that he has to get before going home"(Salinger,20). This is one of two teachers in the book that we know Holden liked and almost regrets leaving.

The second teacher that we learn about is Mr. Antolini. Holden saw him many times when he would come to Holden's house for dinner, or at school, or at the club to play some tennis. He seems like a nice guy and seems to want the best for Holden, for him to succeed in life and school. He takes Holden in and lets him eat and sleep at his house for the night because Holden did not have anywhere to go after he left his parents house. But in the middle of the night Holden is awoken to find that Mr. Antolini is stoking his head, which freaks Holden out. Holden then leaves as soon as he can saying he has to go to the station to get his bags and stuff out of the strong box but that he will be back. Holden ends up sleeping in the station corridor that night. I would have been freaked out to and Mr. Antolini seems like a pervert.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951. Print