What is the significance of holden breaking his hand

Holden suspects that the motive is to impress parents who visit on Sunday and ask their sons what they had to eat for dinner the night before. At best, life around Agerstown is boring. Holden has no date so he takes a bus into town with Ackley and Mal Brossard, where they play pinball and eat hamburgers. They are back at the dorm by p. Allie's left-handed fielder's mitt not a catcher's mitt, so different from Holden, who wears his hat like a catcher does — backwards is one of the dominating symbols of the novel.

It is significant because it reveals the character of Holden's cherished younger brother. Allie wrote poems, in green ink, all over the glove so that he would have something to read when he was in the field and bored.

Holden tells us that Allie was extremely intelligent and the nicest member of his family. He had the kind of red hair, Holden says, that somehow told him when Allie was near, even when he couldn't see him.

The night Allie died, Holden slept in the garage and broke his hand while punching out the garage windows. Throughout the novel, Holden is protective of children and innocence. Here, Holden is un-doing rather than doing. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Catcher in the Rye!

SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Antolini Mr. Spencer Stradlater Carl Luce. What is a catcher in the rye and why does Holden want to be one? Does Mr. Antolini really make a pass at Holden?

Why does Holden run away from Pencey? Does Holden have sex with Sunny, the prostitute? What happens to Holden after his date with Sally Hayes and his meeting with Carl Luce both end badly? What is the setting for The Catcher in the Rye?

Allie is more than a brother to Holden. In Holden's chaotic cosmos, he is an angelic presence, a connection to death but also to hope. Previous Phoebe. Next D. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title. Are you sure you want to remove bookConfirmation and any corresponding bookmarks? My Preferences My Reading List. The Catcher in the Rye J. Antolini Character Map J. Character Analysis Allie. Adam Bede has been added to your Reading List!