Q.#3 Does Holden love Jane Gallagher?

[Steve Gibbs]

Three-part Question
Why is Holden nervous about Stradlater dating Jane?
Is Holden in love with Jane and/or is it some other emotion?
Jane keeps her Checkers kings in the back row. Is there something symbolic in that character trait?

[ochosiete]

i think holden is nervous about stradlater dating jane because maybe holden felt jane was the only girl he'd ever connected with and thought they had something special and didn't want stradlater to have that same connection with her. i think her keeping her checkers in the back row means that she is reserved and is careful with her desicions

[kennyferr]

I think that for Holden it's more of his childish side that is showing. not that he loves Jane but that she was probably the only girl that gave him the time of day so he thinks there was a connection there. And for that yes, I would say he is jealous but not really nervous about them dating. As for the checkers in the back row I don't know if this is symbolic yet but knowing this book it wouldn't surprise me if it did.

[lagrimas]

I think Holden is jealous of Stradlater dating Jane, but I'm not so sure hes "in love" with her . . yet. He can't really know yet. He probably has some emotion for her. He's definitely curious about how she's been. I mean he hasnt seen her in forever. I think if he were to see her that night he would be reminded of before and start to have some serious feelings for her.

As far as Jane always putting her kings in the back row, I think it's because she's been hurt before in some way and it makes it hard for her to let her guard down for anyone. She might have some issues with trust in relationships.

[ashleyh]

i think holden didnt love jane i think its more of a first crush .
she gave him attaention no other girl has given him before and showed that she cared about what happened to him
nobody has cared about him before so he felt like he "loved " her

[abude11]

Holden is nervous about Jane dating Stradler becuase he knows he's the kind of guys who wants girls for their body and Holden knows Jane's not that kind of girl. Hearing how Holden describes Jane it seems he really did like her and have some kind of love for her but doesn't really want to admit it. Knowing that Holden knows that Jane keeps her checkers in the back row shows that everything she tells him he listens to and remembers. Even remembering that after 10 years or so, it shows she means that much to Holden.

[jasperthebear]

I don't think Holden loves Jane. I think since she is a childhood friend of his he feels kinda of possessive of her. He's still in the mindset he was when they used to play checkers and now that they are both grown up some they are off doing other things and don't keep in touch and that bothers him that people like Stradlater are with her and not him. I think it bothers him so much because he feels like he knows so much about her personality and things that matter and people like Stradlater don't care about those things. The whole checkers things probably has something to do with her being cautious "keeping all her kings on the back row" meaning she doesn't wear her emotions on her sleeve. maybe...?

[puzapalooza]

[glow=purple,2,300]I think Holden does like Jane. And it's a coincidence that Stradlater (who Holden wants to be like) somewhat likes a girl that Holden likes. I think it makes him upset and jealous that Stradlater went out with her. But I think Holden feels special because he knows stuff about her, like the checkers in the back row, that Stradlater would never know.[/glow]

[maddiepie]

Holden is neverous that Stradlater is going out with Jane because he knows what he does with girls and thinks she shouldnt be treated that way. Holden may love Jane but doesnt know it. The checkers in the back row may mean that she wants to be protected.

[bendover]

Holden does love jane but will not openly admit it to anyone but himself.
He is afraid of stradlater dating him because he may hurt her and he cares about her.
He is in love but doesnt realize it yet. Jane keeps her kings in the back row because she never has the urge to go and win. she is conservative

[lagrimas]

i agree with maddie. stradlater is kind of a player and if Holden really does have feelings for Jane then he obviously doesn't want her to get hurt so hes kinda being the over protective brother. . . even though he wants to be more [ =

[Steve Gibbs]

I'm sorry, class, that I'm home sick. I've got the grunge. Talking hurts. I'm silently reading your responses to the book in my absence, so keep it coming.
Mr. Gibbs

[paige14]

I don't think Holden loves Jane, but he might have a crush on her or some type of feelings for her. He seems to think that Stradtler doesn't deserve Jane. I think her keeping her checkers in the back might mean that shes smart and cautious.

[miles]

I dont believe Holden loves Jane but i do think he has feelings for her and believes he made a connection with her. I think with Stradlater getting with Jane, angered Holden who thought it was disrespectful since Stradlater had just met her.

[tcollins]

I think Holden is nervous about Stradtlater dating Jane because he doesn't want him to take advantage of Jane. I think Holden has mixed emotions about Jane. I think in a sense he loves her, from his childhood, but i also think it could just be an infatuation. I think the checkers in the back row is kind of symbolic, but solely to Holden. The reason being that it is such a big deal about her and it is one of many things he remembers about Jane.