In these latter chapters of the book Holden carries himself further and further towards his impending breakdown, but I think begins to realize what he is doing to those around him. I found these chapters really quite sad and depressing.
Holden's breakdown reaches its climax in Chapter 25. As the chapter begins, Holden feels surrounded on all sides by ugliness and phoniness?the profanity on the walls, the vulgar Christmas-tree delivery men, the empty pomp of Christmas?and his recent interactions with Phoebe and Mr. Antolini have left him feeling completely lonely and alienated. As he wanders the streets of New York, he looks at children and prays to Allie to keep him from disappearing as the ducks disappeared and as Allie himself disappeared. …
