chapter 24

When Holden arrives at Mr. Antolini's house he can tell they just had a fancy party, there was dirty dishes everywhere and he could tell Mr. Antolini had been drinking. they sit down and Mr. Antolini asks him why he got kicked out of Pency. Holden said it was because he did not like the rules and then gives an example of how in debate class students were punished for going off the subject they were given. Mr. Antolini says that going off subject can be very distracting, and Holden realizes that he is not going to win the argument and he becomes uncomfortable. The tension is broken when Mrs Antolini comes in with coffee. When the conversation begins Mr. Antolini says that he is very worried that Holden is going to have a big fall and he is going to become very angry and frustrated with the world and the boys that were at his old schools. Holdens starts to become defensive and says that he kind of liked the boys like Stradlater and Ackley. After a moment of slience Mr. Antolini further explains the fall he is talking about. He said that if Holden would apply himself in school more he will realize that many men and women have been troubled by the human condition, and he might better understand himself. Holden is interested in what he is saying, but is very tired. They talk for a little while longer and then Mr. Antolini makes up the couch for him and Holden goes to sleep. He wakes up to find Mr. Antolini stroking his head, Mr. Antolini says it was nothing but Holden thinks he is gay and is making a pass at him and rushes out of the apartment.

Holden is always judging people too quickly. sometimes he wont know a thing about someone, but he will judge them just by the things they do. That is what he did to Mr. Antolini.