The Catcher in the Rye: Chapter 11

Journal Entry
# 18
October 11, 2007
Chapter 11
Page 80 Paragraph 3
Quote:
"Ernie's a big fat colored guy that plays the piano. He's a terrific snob and he won't hardly even talk to you unless you're a big shot or a celebrity or something, but he can really play the piano. He's so good, he's almost corny, in fact. I don't exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it. I certainly like to hear him play, but sometimes you feel like turning the goddam piano over. I think it's because sometimes when he plays, he sounds like the kind of guy that won't talk to you unless you're a big shot."

Holden doesn't like things to be perfect, as you can tell from the quote. He doesn't like Ernie because he acts like a snob, and Ernie acts like a snob because he plays the piano like one, and he plays the piano really really well. So the reason Holden doesn't like Ernie is because Ernie is almost perfect at playing the piano, and Holden really isn't perfect at anything. Holden just needs to learn to just enjoy life, and let things change and enjoy them instead of hating everything. How can someone hate music so well played, and always be depressed? Holden just needs to learn to relax.