a few questions about "Catcher in the Rye"?

Question

Okay first of all, is Pheobe real? because throughout the book the author sort of hints that she isnt. Also what do the ducks in the pond symbolize

well if you read very carefully there are many hints. for example when he goes to the park and she is not there and when he visits the home for instance he says something like "before i went to check her room i realized that she always stayed in D.B's room while he was away" also sometimes when he talks about her he says its like she almost wasn't there because she was so small and when he put his hand on her forehead he couldn't feel a temperature. i believe she was made up by holden to get over the death of his little brother.look closely and you will see the evidence.

Answer 1

I never got the impression that Phoebe wasn't real, nor has the topic ever come up in any discussions I've had about the book, or any pieces I've read about it. What makes you think she isn't real? I mean, Holden has repeated interactions with her. He may be a little messed up, but he's not a lunatic. I find it unlikely that he would invent a little sister.

Answer 2

Don't remember th ducks, but I'v e always thougth Phoebe was real. If the author (don't you really mean the narrator, Holden?) seems to suggest that she isn't, I think that impression is just a result of Holden's idealization of her.

Answer 3

Check SparkNotes.com or bookrags.com