What does Holden mean when he says, 'Mothers are all slightly insane'?

• A. They will always believe the best about their kid.
• B. They know every flaw and forgive it.
• C. They pressure their children to be perfect.
• D. They never trust strangers.

Answer: (A)

Holden is highlighting a strong, protective bias that many mothers have: they want to see their child in the best possible light. When he says mothers are “slightly insane,” the humor comes from exaggeration, but the idea is real— mothers tend to believe the best about their kids, sometimes ignoring flaws to keep the child feeling valued and protected. This interpretation fits the line because it centers on the tendency to view one’s own child with unquestioning optimism rather than focusing on faults.

So the best reading is that mothers will always believe the best about their kid. The other ideas—knowing every flaw and forgiving it, pressuring for perfection, or not trusting strangers—don’t capture this specific emphasis on unwavering, protective belief in the child.