Blog Response for Chapter 16-18

The part I chose to discuss in chapters 16-18 was the part where Holden asks that girl questions about the museum and later asks her to have some hot chocolate with him.  In fact, there are other parts in these chapters where Holden is seen interacting and admiring little kids, which I thought was interesting.  For some, this may just say that Holden has become so lonesome in his adventure that he has resorted to trying to accompany kids.  It may also mean to some people that Holden's just a weird guy who likes to hang out with kids.  However, when I saw this, I felt like this was something that Holden was doing to learn from.  We see in this part and many other parts of the book that Holden has a fascination with little kids.  From his sister, to a ordinary little kid singing in the street, Holden remarks many times how he respects and somewhat holds in a higher light who these kids are.  I think Holden finds something profound in the way little kids act.  He sees them waiting for their friends, playing on a seesaw, and singing while walking down the street.  I think he sees this and feels like that's the way everyone should be living.  We see him reflect a little kid in the way he acts, compulsively lying, being unable to just stay in a school, and always looking for a place to go by himself.  Holden's journey almost represents the classic running away from home scenario that plays a part in the little kid life.  I think he admires the blind energy and the selfishness but awareness that a child has.  This seems to play a role in the entire book, and I think it's something that makes up who Holden is, or who he's trying to be.