Holden Caulfield Character Analysis

Gabby Wine
Mrs. Lewis
Advanced English 2
December 18, 2014
Holden’s Search for a True Identity
Holden Caulfield is represented as an adolescent struggling for his independence and similar to many other teens, Holden has difficulty in expressing who he truly is. Throughout the novel, Holden is discovering who he wants to be, He suffers with constant self­conflict on whether he should be rebellious or admirable. Depending on the people Holden is in the presence of and the places he is acquainted with, his attitude or personality changes.

When Holden is in the presence of the better; such as his sister, his teacher Mr. Antolini,

Jane Gallagher, and when he is in peaceful environments, such as the park, he acts as a civil and respectful gentleman. Holden represents himself as someone who truly cares about others when he is around the best. He cared about his sister’s well­being and his sister’s upbringing. When
Holden was looking at his sister’s journal it was apparent to the reader that Holden worried about his sister. The most evident sign of Holden’s love and concern for his sister is when he gave
Phoebe his red hunting cap. The hat was Holden’s security and one of the only things that connected him to Allie. In order for Holden to give something up that he extremely cherished, the person in which he is handing it off to must have meant a lot to him. Holden did not typically have meaningful conversations with his elders. However, Mr. Antolini was one adult that Holden actually respected and admired. When Holden at first visited his old teacher, he was very polite and mature. Holden actually had a detailed conversation with Mr.Antolini and he was not short

with him. Holden listened and actually took into thought what Mr.Antolini was saying to him.
Holden’s interactions with Mr.Antolini completely differ from those with Mr. Spencer.
Holden’s opinion of Mr. Antolini changes after a short visit but at first, Holden is a very different person around Mr. Antolini. Compared to how he is with other adults, Holden acts dramatically more mature and civil. Jane Gallagher is Holden’s love. She never is physically a part of the story, but she is very frequently thought about by Holden. Jane brings back really positive memories to Holden. She keeps him optimistic and in a way also causes him pain. However, whenever Holden does think about Jane, he is in a very peaceful state of mind. Jane brings
Holden back to the state of mind where he does not care about sex and only wants true love. The park is a place that acts as a safe haven for Holden. When Holden is at the park, he is often very quiet and acts as a civil human being. Holden is a much better person when he is around people who represent friendly and respectful characters.

When Holden is in the presence of the worst and/or the people he dislikes such as

Stradlater, Mr. Spencer, and Luce he acts as a completely different person. Stradlater is a person who really upsets Holden. The idea of Stradlater with Jane infuriates Holden. Stradlater’s personality and the way in which he represents himself also gets under Holden’s skin. Before
Holden leaves Pencey, a fight breaks out between Stradlater and Holden. A side that a reader had never seen of Holden came out when Stradlater began to push Holden’s buttons. Holden was extremely aggressive and spiteful against Stradlater. Stradlater brought out a very rebellious and violent side of Holden. While Mr. Spencer makes Holden act disrespectful and snobby. From the beginning, a reader knows that Holden is not very fond of Mr. Spencer. Holden doesn’t listen nor even try to appear he is listening to his teacher. “You will, boy. You will when it’s too late…I

didn’t like hearing him say that. It made me sound dead or something.”(Salinger 14) As soon as
Holden gets the chance to leave, he makes up a lie and flees immediately. Luce brings out a very sexual side of Holden. Luce and Holden usually only have conversations about sex. Holden’s encounters with Luce represent Holden’s immaturity and lack of understanding for a relationship not strictly based upon sex. “Listen…I refuse to answer any typical Caulfield questions tonight.
When in the hell are you going to grow up?( pg. 146) Holden uses smoking as a way of drowning out his sorrows and a way of handling his stress. When Holden is smoking, he acts differently. It often leads to him thinking depressive thoughts or calming him down enough so he can really think about what’s going on his life. “...I sat in the chair for a while and smoked a couple of cigarettes. It was getting daylight outside. Boy, I felt miserable. I felt so depressed, you can’t imagine.”(pg. 98)

Throughout the story, Holden is at a constant battle between moral and immoral

behaviors. Holden, just like every other common teenager is unsure of where he stands on the social spectrum. He is constantly at a conflict within, on whether he wishes to mature and be respectful, or stay immature and think solely on sex. Holden’s friends and his surroundings contribute to the way in which he thinks. The common adolescent is acquainted with a variety of people and places. Their values, beliefs, and actions can change on the daily solely based upon certain experiences.