Well on his way to drunkenness, Antolini shows a side of himself that is especially annoying to Holden. Sounding very much like old Mr. Spencer at Pencey Prep, the instructor pontificates on pedagogy, specifically defending the teaching techniques of Mr. Vinson, who offers a class called “Oral Expression” at Pencey. Holden flunked the course but dislikes Vinson more because the man is cruel and shallow. If a student gives a speech and strays from the point, Vinson insists that the other boys yell “Digression!” at him. The interruptions especially intimidated a shy, nervous student named Richard Kinsella, who was giving a speech about his father’s farm in Vermont. Richard did digress, telling about his uncle who had polio. Kinsella was interesting and excited in his story, but the boys cut him off with shouts of “Digression!” and Vinson gave him a D+ in the course. Holden prefers digressions. He often finds them more worthwhile than the original topic and digresses frequently, to the reader’s benefit, in his own story.
Antolini disagrees that digressions are positive, arguing that “there’s a time and place for everything.” He then waxes philosophical, and at length, on Holden’s character and the kinds of problems he may have in later life if he doesn’t learn to conform. Inventing a strained and unfortunate metaphor, Antolini speaks of Holden’s mind and education as if the boy were being fitted for a cheap suit. Holden is exhausted and yawns, unable to take any more. Perhaps it is Antolini who needs to learn that there is a time and a place for everything.
Most disturbing for Holden is the shock of waking to find Antolini patting him on the head. Holden’s reaction, and his conclusion, may be excessive. Salinger allows the reader to decide, but it may be that Antolini is just drunk and awkwardly caring. After all, he is only patting Holden’s head, not any other part of his body. For his part, Holden holds no doubt. He has seen more than his share of “perverty” behavior and is out of the apartment in short order.
