Holden becomes increasingly disillusioned with Mr. Antolini. He initially tells us that the instructor was the best teacher he has ever known. Antolini is a kind of mentor, almost an older brother. Holden compares him to D.B., whom he clearly admires despite his brother's relocation to Hollywood. Young, articulate, and popular, Antolini is also intensely caring as evidenced by his continuing concern for Holden as well as his attentions to the mangled body of James Castle. But in this chapter, Holden discovers the feet of clay on his golden idol. Whether Holden's ultimate judgment (that Antolini is "perverty") is accurate or not, he is forced to recognize that Antolini does have his problems.
Holden already knows that Antolini is a heavy drinker. When the teacher greets him at the door with a highball in hand, Holden passes it off as "sophisticated." Nonetheless, the excessive drinking does bother Holden. He mentions it several times and notices that, when coffee is served, Mr. Antolini just fixes himself another highball. Holden thinks that Antolini should be careful or he "may get to be an alcoholic."
