Privilege and Holden's Future

We talked in class today about how Holden is very privileged. We learn about the wealth he has. Holden goes to a fancy preparatory school, and seems to have all the cool clothes. He has the cool camel fur coat, as well as the coat he gives to his roommate who wants to look nice for his date. We talked in class about how Holden is rejecting his privilege by failing his classes at Pencey Prep. However, I believe there is also a part of him that is owning up to his privilege by doing so.

            Most people would probably attempt to make the most of their stay at an expensive private school that could set them up for a successful post education life. However, Holden barely feels that need. Holden and Mr. Spencer have an interesting conversation about Holden’s future, as Spencer wants to say goodbye, before Holden is kicked out. Mr. Spencer says, “Do you feel absolutely no concern for your future, boy?” (Salinger 14). Holden responds, “Oh, I feel some concern for my future, all right. Sure. Sure, I do.  But not too much, I guess. Not too much, I guess.” (Salinger 14). Spencer responds, “You will, boy. You will when it’s too late.” Holden then thinks to himself, “I didn’t like hearing him say that. It made me sound dead or something.” (Salinger 14). I do not believe that Holden completely accepts his privilege, because an important idea of this chapter is how Mr. Spencer makes him feel sad because of his future. But, there is a small part of me that realizes that by rejecting his privilege he is also accepting it.

            I believe Holden knows that he can still succeed in the world even if he gets kicked out of the prep school he can still succeed. In our most recent reading he constantly talks about his wealth by saying how “loaded” he is. Also, the major sense of his wealth comes after his idea to leave Pencey early. I think this acts as a reminder of how he can succeed without the school.

            There is a lot to be said about the future of Holden. We have seen him act against the rules of the “Game of Life,” but honestly, he seems to know how to interact with people well. Although he ends up yelling at Ackley, he only did it at a certain point where Ackley wouldn’t understand otherwise. Although he doesn’t like speaking to his teacher Mr. Spencer, it isn’t because of his dislike for him and rudeness. It is just because of the topic of conversation. Holden would be okay just “shooting the bull,” with Mr. Spencer, as he hates the serious conversation. On his phone call with a random person Holden acts very smooth, and to me it’s impressive how much of a conversation he got out of someone so late at night who he has never met and has almost no connection with. We have seen Holden act as a good conversationalist and I think that will help him a lot in his life. It’s interesting how “shooting the bull,” meaning just to speak the regular speak, being respectful, and the bullshit we say to our elders. And how he says the game is bullshit, but plays it anyway. I think this way out to be a successful speaker Holden, but still a rebel. Do you guys think Holden could still be successful even after failing Pencey?