quote analysis.. from last week!

1. What does it say? (paraphrase and describe the context)
2. What does it mean? (analyze and explain)
3. Why does it matter? (explain the significance to the rest of the book)

on page 141

"Anyway, I'm sort of glad they've got the atomic bomb invented. If there's ever another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will."

he says this right after talking about going to the christmas show and about "The Great Gatsby" and he wasn't being very negative or anything, and then all of a sudden he starts making comments about killing himself.

Holden makes many other statements about death or killing himself. he talks about jumping out of a window, sitting on top of an atomic bomb, etc. this means that obvioulsy he's not satisfied with his life. these statements usually come up around a time when he's unhappy with whats going on in his life. of cours,e he's never really satisfied with things, but he talks about suicide more often when he's especially depressed or thinking too hard about things.

this is significant because it gives a better insight to the reader about his attitude in life; it is one of the many aspects of Holden that contribute to the bigger picture- Holden can't grow up. in turn, he gets in fights or can't create relationships with people because he is so immature and can't even carry on a conversation; therefore he gets shot down and rejected, making him more depressed when he DOES think about it, which makes him start thinking these depressing thoughts of death.