Analysis Of The Book ' The Catcher Of The Rye ' By Quot. Salinger

Holden thinks children are authentic and in order to stay authentic in a world full of phonies he seeks to preserve his childlike nature. In chapter 13, Holden talks about the concept of his virginity, he says “If you want to know the truth, I’m a virgin. I really am. I’ve had quite a few opportunities to lose my virginity and all, but I never got around to it yet. Something always happens.”(92). Holden admits he’s still a virgin and to many people losing your virginity is a step to adulthood. This is Holden’s way of trying to protect what little he has of his childhood to prevent himself from becoming an adult. That “something always happens”(92) is his own subconscious telling him to stop and to save this moment for someone who he really likes not a prostitute whom he bought. Holden even says earlier ,in the novel, “I don’t like the idea...I think if you don’t really like a girl, you shouldn’t horse around with her at all”(62). The author is trying to show how kids can avoid being an adult in the real world. Although he tries to protect his youth, Holden also likes to pretend his is an adult. He does things like being an avid smoker, constantly wanting to drink, and wanting to hookup with girls. Doing acts like these: ”After a while I sat down in a chair and smoked a couple of cigarettes.”(63), “‘Would any of you girls care to dance?’ I didn’t ask them crudely or anything. Very suave, in fact.”(70), “Boy, I sat at that goddamn bar

Holden has matured in many ways throughout the novel. He had grown from an immature child who only cared about himself to a mature adult who wanted to make something of his life. In the beginning of the story we are introduced to

Throughout the story Holden emphasizes his love for childhood innocence. In a passage he says “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the golden ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything.” (Salinger 211) This immediately points to his affinity for innocence and not having the limits of being and adult. The

Holden’s immaturity causes him many problems throughout the story. Although he is physically mature, he acts more like a child. “All of a sudden I

He may still be a young boy but he is very independent and basically lives on his own for the entirety of the book, but his negative outlook transforms independence into isolation. He is incredibly lonely but also pushes people away when he has a chance to get close to them. Such as his date with Sally Hayes which was going very well until he pushed her away with his harsh words, “You give me a royal pain in the ass, if you want to know the truth” (Ch. 17 pg. 173). Just because Sally wouldn’t run away with him and be independent with him he pushed her away. Holden may think he wants to be free and independent but his negative outlook just feeds his loneliness and

In J. D Salinger 's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist, Holden, goes through many hardships in his journey to self-knowledge. In the beginning, Holden has to deal with being kicked out of school and not having any place to call home. He is also struggling with the unfortunate tragedy of the death of his beloved younger brother Allie. At the same time, Holden is trying to deal with growing up and accepting the adult world. Throughout the novel Salinger addresses the conflicts faced by a young man struggling with the trials and tribulations of growing up while also confronting personal loss and loneliness along the way.

In the course of the story, Holden is suspended between adulthood and childhood. Several of his actions and words show evidence of his confusion between adults and children. Admitting to his immaturity, Holden says, “I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now, and sometimes I act like I’m about thirteen.” (p. 9) Sunny, the prostitute is an example of Holden’s attempt to be an adult, but realizing he is stuck in childhood. Another example is when he asks his cab driver where the ducks in Central Park go during the Winter when the ice is

Holden is attracted to the privileges that adulthood offers. Drinking, Sex, Independence and Smoking represent aspects of adulthood that Holden is not averse to and is genuinely excited by. After arriving in New York, Holden attempts to act as an adult, but his attempts fail miserably. He tries to order a scotch and soda but is carded and must settle for a coke instead. Holden is content with childhood right up until it forfeits him an opportunity to get a drink. He wants to be an adult, but also wants to be a kid. He seems excited with the freedom but fears the loss of innocence and responsibility that

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a story about growing up. It explores the obstacles we all face during our transition from child to adulthood. The tragedies and triumphs, the breakthroughs and setbacks, the happiness and heartache. As you follow the book's protagonist, Holden, through his journey into adulthood, you learn about his life, but more importantly, you learn about your own. You grow to sympathize with the young rebel, and you begin to see traces of yourself in him.

It is very clear that Holden is immature. One of the most obvious times that this is shown is when Holden is talking with Luce. Luce says, “ Same old Caulfield. When are you gonna grow up?” (Salinger 144).

Written in 1951, J.D. Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye continues to be a popular book amongst Americans. Although The Catcher in the Rye has been banned in many public school settings in the United States it continues to stay atop some of the greatest books of all time lists. Whether people are in their teens or in their fifties they find themselves drawn to Holden Caulfield. At some point in their life they could relate to a sense of alienation, caused by money and wealth. Humans are wired to be jealous and want what others have. Holden Caulfield has the opposite problem, he has money and wealth which he inherited from his hard working parents. However, he himself is not motivated to work hard, graduate prep school and earn his own wealth. Instead he despises hard working students at the many prep schools he drops out of. Holden also has a big number of family complications. An area to explore is how wealth can contribute to feelings of alienation and despair. Holden Caulfield has a complex relationship with money, not wanting to associate from it, but benefiting from it. A further look into the 1950’s may give an insight into the troubled mind of Holden Caulfield.

”(142) Holden’s maturity is even pointed out by Luce when he remarks “Naturally. Your mind is immature. ”(147) This is also quite noticeable because of the setting Holden is in (a bar at the age of fifteen).

Yet, his actions indicate that he has the wrong idea about his own personality. He believes that he is no longer innocent, and has a personality more similar to an adult than to that of an adolescent. Holden associates being an adult with partaking in adult activities. He smokes whole packs of cigarettes and attempts to illegally purchase alcohol. Additionally, Holden is obsessed with sex; it is a common topic of discussion throughout the novel. Holden states, “Women kill me. They really do. I don’t mean I’m oversexed or anything like that—although I am quite sexy” (54). By utilizing “adult” substances and talking about sex—another subject generally associated with adulthood—Holden feels he is mature, though in reality this makes no difference regarding his level of maturity. He is still a sixteen year old boy with the personality of a teenager. Holden knows that buying alcohol at his age is illegal, yet he believes that speaking quickly is a way around getting carded, “because if you hem and haw, they think you are under twenty-one and won’t sell you any intoxicating liquor” (69). This idea in itself is childish, as sounding confident does not have any correlation to illegally getting alcohol or appearing more like an adult. Similarly, Holden very much enjoys his conversation with old friend Carl Luce about Luce’s new girlfriend. Holden states, “I regard it [sex] as a wuddyacallit—a physical and spiritual experience... But it depends on who the hell I’m doing it with” (146). The irony of this comment is that Holden is a virgin; he could not even muster up the confidence to have sex with a prostitute which he paid for. An adult would be able to have this conversation seriously and respectively, whereas Holden finds entertainment in interrogating Luce about his sex life, a typical reaction for a teenage boy. Lastly, Holden’s the whole novel revolves around Holden being expelled from

Holden reveals flaws in his own character as well as condemming them in the rest of the world. He is 17 as he narrates the story and was 16 when the events took place, but he admits

The song “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink 182 really portrays how Holden doesn’t know what he wants. For example, Holden doesn’t know if he wants to be a child or an adult. He says, “I have no wind, if you want to know the truth. I’m quite a heavy smoker, for one thing-that is, I used to be” (Salinger 5). Holden smokes and drinks throughout the book which shows the side of him that wants to grow up, but then he does childish things like asking Carl Luce about his sex life. Carl Luce says to Holden, “I refuse to answer any typical Caulfield questions tonight. When in hell are you going to grow up?” (Salinger 146). This goes to show that Holden can’t decide whether he wants to stay the child that he is or grow