Grief

I think people react to grief in many different ways, and it affects all people differently. In Holden's case, he chose to take his anger out physically. While reading chapter five Holden lets down his barriers and gives us an inside glimpse of himself. When Holden started talking about Allie, I thought he felt vulnerable and a little bitter, as if he was asking how the nicest and most real person had a shortened life. When Allie died Holden's anger sort of swelled up inside of him until he couldn't take it anymore, and eventually broke his hand breaking all the windows. Honestly I don't blame Holden. I mean, c'mon, his brother just died and he did not know how to express his grief. His brother dying affected Holden a lot more than what he was letting on.  Even to this day he has his hand as a reminder to Allie's death. "My hand still hurts me once in a while, when it rains and all, and I can't make a real fist... but outside of that I don't care much." I think he like having the reminder of Allie with him at all times.
   In a way, I think Allie's death is one of the main reasons Holden can see through these false personas people put up. Holden described Allie as such a real person, and that is why I think Holden is so fed up with all these phonies. You can tell Holden is still dealing with Allie's death because he was so upset when Stradlater ripped up his composition about the glove.  Holden was putting himself out there when he wrote about it, and Stradlater's rejection really hurt Holden, more than anyone would know.  As I said before, I think everyone has their own way with dealing with grief. Some turn to anger or violence while others choose to isolate themselves. I have never had anyone really close to be die before, so I don't know how I will react when the time comes. Allie's death could also be one of the main reasons Holden chooses to isolate himself, because he never really stopped grieving.