Why is Holden 'so damn happy all of a sudden'

Holden feels 'so damn happy all of a sudden' at the end of chapter five for maybe a few reasons depending on how the reader personally views it. The first reason could be because when it begins to rain Phoebe takes the red hunting hat and puts it on Holden's head, when she does this Holden says that it 'damn near kills' him. This is his way how showing how Phoebe cheers him up and makes him feel better. Another reason why he is 'so damn happy all of a sudden' may be because it is nice to see his little sister being so care free and innocent. This may symbolise the innocence that Holden can't quite let go of and finds growing older hard to except. But Phoebe reaching for the gold ring on the carrousel and taking a big risk may show how she herself is growing up and gaining maturity. Maybe at this point he begins to to except the fact that Phoebe is growing up and maturing without turning into a 'phony'.

Extracts for Escape

Chapter 14, page 107 the quote saying "I felt like praying or something" could relate to escape because it shows that Holden is trying to get away from reality and reach God through his prayers to get away what he is going through now. He might be trying to escape from life itself.
Chapter 14, page 113 Holden says "What I really felt like though, was committing suicide." This extract is about escape because it is saying how Holden literally does want to get away from everything and is so unhappy with his life that he wants to end it all.
Chapter 15, page 177 Holden starts talking about "suitcases". He gets very into describing them and talk about them in a way that no one else would really care about. He describes them as "inexpensive" which most people wouldn't be too fussed about. I think this relates to escape because when you want to get away from somewhere you take a suitcase, this show Holden is thinking very deeply about packing and getting away.
Chapter 16, page 125. Holden talks about a little boy singing to himself. He sings "If a body catch a body coming through the rye." He says how the boy is almost in his own little world and is obvious to everything going on around him. His is a form of escape because the boy has managed to get away from everything through singing, I think Holden is slightly jealous of him because he is so happy and has no cares. But Holden says it makes him feel "not so depressed anymore".

Holden's attitude towards sex

Holden's views on sex are very confusing. He is very interested in it and calls himself a "sex maniac" but also it seems he knows ver little about it and even admits he just doesn't understand it at all. He clearly wants some action because he says he is "horny" and I think he is a little desperate because even calls up a girl, in the middle of the night, hoping he may have a chance with her.

First Chapter Review

Although the first chapter doesn't give away much about the main characters personality or lifestyle, I think that "The Catcher In The Rye" doesn't give you very good first impression of him. He is not the sort of person that you immediately like. He seems like a very negative and angry person and doesn't like to talk about his past. I am keen to read on and find out why this is because it seems very interesting.