Contents
26
Overview
Holden ends his story from a rest home, refusing to detail what happened after he went home or how he got sick. Pressed by a psychoanalyst and questioned by D.B., he admits uncertainty about applying himself and about what it all means. He realizes he misses everyone and warns against sharing too much.
Summary
Holden closes his account by stating he will not describe what happened after he returned home, how he became ill, or his plans for school. He says those details do not interest him now, signaling his fatigue with recounting and his ambivalence about the future.
He describes ongoing questioning at the rest home, especially from a psychoanalyst who asks whether Holden will apply himself when he returns to school. Holden rejects the certainty implied by the question, saying no one can know what they will do until they do it, though he tentatively says he thinks he will.
Holden recalls a recent visit from D.B., who arrived with an English actress tied to his new screenplay. When she steps away, D.B. asks what Holden thinks of everything he has told. Holden admits he does not know and regrets telling so many people. He concludes that telling people makes him miss them, confessing he even misses Stradlater, Ackley, and Maurice.
Who Appears
- Holden CaulfieldNarrator in a rest home; refuses more details, doubts future plans, and confesses missing everyone.
- D.B. CaulfieldHolden’s brother; visits with an English actress and asks what Holden thinks of his story.
- PsychoanalystRest home clinician pressing Holden about whether he will apply himself in school.
- English actressD.B.’s companion from the film he’s writing; briefly present during D.B.’s visit.