Blog Comment #2

The museum vignette in chapter 16 of Catcher in the Rye is an important moment in the book.  How Holden describes the museum as never changing and why he likes that shows an important characteristic of him-- he likes predictability.  Life can be rough, unpredictable, and unforeseen. Obviously Holden is not adapting to life easily, and taking the ever-changing events with hardship.  That is why he likes the museum.  He can always get his bearings in the museum and know exactly where everything is.  ""Nobody would be different.  The only thing that would be different would be you..." (page 135) The museum vignette has a message in it-- the importance of a safe place.  When life is fighting against you, you need a safe place to relax and concentrate.  That is shown in this vignette.