“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game played by the rules." "Yes, sir. I know. I know. "Fucking game. Some game. If you get on the side of the big guys, then it's a game, okay, I admit it. But if you get to the other side, where there are no big guys, then what game is there ? Nothing. No game. -(chapter 2 page 8)- Spencer, his former teacher, is scolding him for his failures at Pencey- stressing the importance of playing a game (life) by the rules- Holden identifies himself as the losing side - Easily relates to how the losing side feels alone and victimized - This makes Holden think, he is very wealthy and thinks about the disadvantages and advantages of this - He feels alienated from his peers - Silent contempt for people who they are bigger than him (he insults Spencer under his breath but nods in agreement with what he says)- The author used provocative language stating that the losing side will be negotiated and forgotten, so no "game" for them took another look at my hat. "We wear a hat like that to shoot deer, for God's sake." “That's a deer hunting hat.” "What the hell is." I took it off and looked at it. I kind of turned a blind eye, like I was taking aim. “This is a hat to throw at people,” I said. “I shoot people with this hat.” -(chapter 3 page 22)-Holden demonstrates his desire for independence and individuality-The feeling of independence arises from his feeling of alienation-He has a lot of bitterness for the world and the people in it-He doesn't literally "shoot" people", but in a certain sense he does: when he is around people, he tends to "shoot people" mentally - Holden always mentally denigrates people... in the middle of paper... and rules" - Holden doesn't see himself as part of that game - He wants to play his own way and not follow the rules - He often feels alone and like an outcast from society - If society doesn't welcome him, why should he follow its rules? - Again with the people against Holden - He rebels against social norms and rules- The struggle is evident between his antisocial self and his more extroverted personality“I was sixteen then, and I'm seventeen now, and sometimes I act as if I were about thirteen” -(Chapter 2 page 9)- Demonstrates Holden's internal struggles- He can't let go of the past- Refusal to grow up and accept reality and responsibility- Eventually the past will come back to haunt him- He doesn't want to mature, he wants to hold on to his immature self - A little confused between self-awareness and self-realization- Relates to readers because many readers think this way