Penn Station, New York is where Holden meets the mother of Ernest Morrow. She acknowledges that both of them attend the same school. She wonders how he behaves and how he is in school. Holden lies and tells her that "he is the most popular boy on campus and would have been elected class president if he’d let the other boys nominate him" (Salinger). Holden also lies about himself; he named himself Rudolph Shmidt--the janitor of Pencey Prep. He exclaims that he left early due to tumor operation. The reason for these lies is because Holden is embarrassed to have someone know that he was expelled. He found the mother attractive, and wished to end the conversation to save embarrassment.
This warning sign represents the action the Holden broke. He continuously smokes cigarettes in his dorm room in front of his mates, although they are told that it is forbidden. Even if it wasn't the cause for his expulsion, he deserved to be kicked out anyway. He would break most of the rules that were forbidden.
Holden defines people or things he doesn't like as "phonies." He calls Mr. Antolini as a phony because he sees him as a predator. Holden calls Pencey Prep as a phony, because they pretend that they can mold students into clear-thinking young men. On the other hand, the people he would see that aren't phonies are Allie, Phoebe, dead writers (Scott Fitzgerald, etc.), and himself.
Holden got expelled. His grades were down the gutter and none of the teachers nor students like him. This report card presents his lack of work in school that caused him to deserve his expulsion and the effects of his negative actions.
As it says on the card, Holden Caulfield is under the influence at such a young age. He is rebellious and stubborn. This card symbolizes those traits about him, including the picture and the inferno color scheme.
Holden Caulfield ran away three days prior to his formal leave from Pencey Preparatory School. He was expelled. Holden could not take the stress anymore; therefore, he fled. He's a student who deserves expulsion, for his bad influence. The school is responsible for his absence until he is formally released; that's why Pencey Prep is searching for him.
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