Stradlater is a superficial kid who has no hope of understanding Holden’s theme or the significance of a baseball glove covered with poems. Nor could he possibly value a girl who keeps her kings in the back row, when she plays checkers, because they look nice back there. Holden has been on a double date with Ward and knows what a womanizer his roommate is. He becomes increasingly upset when he learns that Stradlater made Jane late for her curfew and spent the evening, with her, parked in the basketball coach’s car. When Holden asks what happened, Stradlater is arrogant and taunting. Holden tries to fight his larger, stronger roommate, but, of course, he has no chance.
Jane is an early example of Holden’s devotion to those he sees as innocent. Holden sees Jane as a sensitive, imaginative girl who transcends the cruelty of life. But Stradlater sees the girl as just another potential score. He can’t even keep her name straight, mistakenly calling her “Jean.” Holden can’t protect Jane, whether or not she needs or wants his help, any more than he could protect his brother Allie. He is frustrated and angry that the Stradlaters of the world win so often. Fed up with Pencey Prep and all it stands for, Holden decides to leave and to stay at a hotel until he can go home on Wednesday.
