Komal,+Jenny,+Ben,+and+Jen+letter

​ Dear Holden,

Looking back, I know that things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like. Allie’s gone and you feel pretty goddamn lonely. You probably think the last thing you need it another lecture, but honestly, above all else you really just need to remember to stay true to yourself. You really do. This stuff that’s going on with you, this madman stuff won’t go away until you move on and accept certain things. Its tough, boy don’t I know it. You need to figure out yourself, your beliefs and likes and dislikes and so on. I can’t promise things will get easier overnight, but this pattern of constant negativity and all really won’t do you any good. Believe me.

Losing someone is so depressing, I know. It makes you angry and aggressive and you really just feel like you can’t trust anyone. You need to surround yourself with people you’re comfortable with. As hard as it may be, you should try talking about Allie’s death. It’s not exactly the best idea to bottle up your emotions, because eventually you might snap, like on the night of Allie’s death when you smashed the windows in your garage and hurt your hands so bad. (You can’t, to this day make a real fist, if you were wondering.) I think Allie is probably the reason you have these little spastic outbursts, like the time you started attacking Stradlater in the Pencey Prep dorm room. Holden, you need to learn to muddle through this mess. This crap you’re constantly pulling is just anger, anger and confusion that could be avoided if you’d just sit down and //talk// to someone. That said, this doesn't mean that you should go and discuss your problems with anyone. I know that you had good intentions and all, but hiring a prostitute at the Edmund Hotel wasn't exactly what I had in mind as a confidant. (Jenny Greenland)

Let me just say that I know it’s tough, you know, dealing with certain people. It’s tough to find people who aren’t insincere or deplorable, people who won’t make you feel cheated and depressed. The truth is you can’t escape them. In fact, you especially can’t escape them, Holden. If you want to know the truth, there is no doubt that horrible people are out there, at Pencey, at Whooton, in Manhattan. But despite this, the real problem may is with you. As Mr. Antolini put it so well, “you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You’re by no means alone on that score….” That said, it would be unwise and in the long run, detrimental only to you to be so critical and harsh in judging others. I understand that Stradlater was an arrogant bastard and Sally was about as deep as your bathtub. And Lord knows even now I see enough of those people in one day to last me a lifetime. But you can’t just shun yourself off from everyone. Like I said before, you really need to find people to talk to. And you of all people should be able to appreciate the imperfections and lapses in others. Once you embrace others, their faults and shortcomings, you’ll be happier. (Komal Kazim)

I know how you feel about most of people you meet; that they’re phonies and all. Truth is, most of society is made up of “phonies.” I mean, that’s just the way the world is. If certain phonies of society aggravate you, why do you involve yourself with them? Why do you say that you love Sally Hayes and make promises to go in dates with her when you really think she’s a phony? Why do you go to bars when you don’t like the people there, like those three rude women at the Wicker Bar? Why do you continue meet up with people who will ultimately make you feel even worse? In my opinion, you should invest your time with the “real people” that matter to you, like you good childhood friend Jane Gallagher, D.B., and Phoebe. Once you realize who the “real people” are and who the “phonies” are, prioritize the way you spend your life. That way, your life will have a greater meaning when you realize that your time is being spent wisely. I mean, I’m not saying that you will never encounter a phony ever again; they’re everywhere. The point is this, Holden: only worry about those who worry about you, as well. (Jen Pugliese)

If you listen to what I’ve said to you Holden, then things might finally start to make sense and clarity will come. Allie’s death doesn’t have to be this great big tragedy any longer; it’s ok to move on. It seems that all of the people you are meeting are fake; these “phonies” aren’t everywhere. I know your luck has been down, but things have to look up eventually. Allow yourself to be free of the phonies and all these situations you dislike in your life. You’re still young, and you’ve got your whole life to lead Holden and I know what’s best for you over anyone else. (Ben Smith) Yours truly, Holden