Why does Holden say "If I were a piano player, I'd play it in the goddam closet"? What does he like about Ernie?
Holden doesn't want to be onstage, nor, does he desire applause..... because people always clap for the wrong things.
I swear to God, if I were a piano player or an actor or something and all those dopes thought I was terrific, I'd hate it. I wouldn't even want them to clap for me. People always clap for the wrong things. If I were a piano player, I'd play it in the goddam closet.
Holden likes Ernie because he can really play the piano. He also like him because he used to go and watch him play with his brother D.B.
He's a terrific snob and he won't hardly even talk to you unless you're a big shot or a celebrity or something, but he can really play the piano. He's so good he's almost corny, in fact. I don't exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it. I certainly like to hear him play, but sometimes you feel like turning his goddam piano over.
Catcher in the Rye
