This passage is spoken by Holden Caulfield when describing the composition he wrote for Stradlater, using the glove of Holden's late brother Allie, which the latter used to write poems on. Holden uses this to describe his grief for Allie. The poems written in green ink symbolize intelligence combined with life, juxtaposed to intensify the effect when Holden says "He's dead now." Holden's tone is slightly reminiscent of his younger brother, almost holding back the thought, relating to how in life people in society only choose to remember the positive characteristics of the dead. Holden specifically writes about the glove because it is Allie's, and at this point began to lose his care for value in material wealth, evidenced by his reminiscence of Allie's glove and buying a dollar hunting hat in New York rather than a fashionable expensive hat. …show more content…
Spencer spoken to Holden Caulfield as Holden visits him prior to his departure from Pencey Prep, the day of the [rigged] football game. Mr. Spencer is trying to get the message through to Holden that society is a system you cannot disobey, declaring "Life is a game that one plays according to the rules," hinting at failure or loss through not cooperation. The irony behind the line is that Holden had just returned from watching a rigged football game by Pencey Prep, and Holden inherently believes that although life is a game, playing according to the rules is not necessarily justified if the rules are in the favor of one party over the other. Mr. Spencer compares life to a game by referencing failure and loss through not playing by the system rules, and victory and success through following the rules of