Also, Caulfield repeatedly insulted Holden about his immaturity and yet never told Holden how to act mature. Holden does agree that he sometimes acts immature, but still shows his maturity in some aspects of his lifestyle, such as his independence.
When Spencer hears of Holden's expulsion from Pencey, he unsuccessfully attempts to give Holden advice that will affect his life in a most positive manner. However, Spencer gives Holden "phony" advice on how to be successful and not necessarily happy in life. At the time that Holden comes to visit before he leaves, Spencer presents himself poorly, with pills and medicine scattered about, wearing a rather revealing bathrobe and smelling like "Vicks Nose Drops". Holden mentions how Spencer's appearance depresses him and because of his disgust, Holden is unwilling to take him seriously, even if his advice had been worth noting. Secondly, Spencer does not even listen to Holden as he is speaking about his performance in English class. Spencer seems to be only waiting to talk. This comes across to Holden that Spencer does not really care what he has to say. Thirdly, Spencer's form of advice is simply reiterating what Dr. Thurmer already told Holden, "Life is a game that one plays according to the rules." Holden, although he says that he agrees with Spencer verbally, obviously thinks of this advice as "phony" and irrelevant because Holden is on the losing team of this "game". .
When Holden informs Antolini of his troubles, Antolini is most helpful in giving insightful counsel, yet ruins the moment. The advice given is extremely profound, yet Holden finds himself in an embarrassing situation and the advice is negated. When Holden arrives, Antolini is already "a little oiled up", and, with highball in hand, offers Holden a cigarette. Antolini is a bad example for Holden because of his excessive drinking and the fact that he seems to support Holden's smoking habit even though he is aware that it is inappropriate for a young adult under the age of eighteen to smoke.
Chapter 3 In chapter three, Holden goes back to his dorm in the Ossenburger Memorial Wing. ... At first the conversation doesn't really interest Holden. ... Stradlater's playfully hitting Holden a couple of times irritated Holden who tried to hit him back. ... Holden cannot stop thinking of Jane and Stradlater. ... There are three women sitting at the next table. ...
He was the oldest son of Charles Joseph and Gladys Christina McGrail McCarthy, who eventually had six children, three girls and two boys, other than Charles. ... When Cormac McCarthy was four years old (1937), the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, and his father became a lawyer for the Tennessee Valley Authority. ... The leader of this group (who anticipates Judge Holden in Blood Meridian) on two occasions directly calls Culla to justice, demands that he "name" his deeds. Thus, they stand as shadow figures, images of retribution, of a dark divinity, in this story of sin and guilt" (Priol...