In J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield's sister, Phoebe, represents then light, innocence, and purity that is otherwise absent from his cold, gloomy, tainted life. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Phoebus was the God of Light. Phoebe, derived from Phoebus, is the light amidst the darkness. Two primary scenes where this is demonstrated are the Carousel scene, and the scene where Holden is drunk at the pond at Central Park.
             Throughout most of his life, Holden is a good kid. When his brother Allie dies, Holden transforms. He realizes that no matter how good of a person you are in life, you would have the same outcome as someone who is bad. Possessing this knowledge led to Holden's loss of innocence. Instead of a positive outlook on life, Holden sees the harsh reality of growing up. He encounters "phonies" that don't deserve to be alive, because all they do is suck up to those who have something that they need. Life aggravates Holden to the point where he imagines he's dying. The night he wanders around Central Park, he imagines he is dying, and the first person he thinks of is Phoebe. He imagines how devastated she would be, and how she would miss him terribly. While Holden is thinking these things, he is walking around Central Park, wet, and drunk. On this pitch-black night, the only light is coming from the bench where Holden ends up sitting, and thinking about Phoebe. The light over the bench represents her presence in his dark world.
             The reason Holden sees Phoebe as a person who still has her innocence about her is because instead of knocking on him, ordering him about, and bribing him, she gives him options about the possibilities he has in his life. She points out the good things he has, and doesn't expect to be rewarded for helping him out. She truly cares, and doesn't fake anything. (1-pg. 77) This is seen when Holden sneaks back home, and ...