The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger: Character Analysis

Adolescents is a difficult time for most growing teens. It is a time where they are trying to figure things out and discover who they truly are, which can cause problems in their life. Holden, the sixteen year old protagonist in the book The Catcher and the Rye by J. D. Salinger, causes trouble constancy. He, like most teenagers is just trying to figure out how to grow up. Holden’s inability to tell the truth, manage his behavior in school, and see girls with objectifying them, point to an adolescent in crisis. He is struggling with the concept of growing up and being susceptible to the injustices of the world, and acts out because of it. One of Holden’s pet peeves is phonies. He hates people who portray themselves one way but are actually different. The irony to this situation is that Holden himself constantly lies to people, and loves it. Holden is having a conversation with Ernest Morrow, a fellow
There grades reflect on how they see and value life. It can be determined that Holden, after flunking out of four schools, including Pencey Prep, is at the peak of a crisis. His complete disregard for anything school proves that he doesn’t have a thought about what his future will hold, or he is to scared to face it. When thinking about his past records with schools Holden says, “‘This is about the fourth school I’ve gone to.’ I shook my head. I shake my head quite a lot” (Salinger 5). Holden knows that flunking out of schools is not good, yet all he does is shake his head and continue this pattern of self destruction. Additionally, Holden get warnings and offered help from others about school, and his future. On page 8, his teacher, Mr. Spencer, asks him about his future and what Holden’s plan is. Holden admits he does not have much concern for his future as Mr. Spencer gives Holden a warning, “‘You will,’ old Spencer said. ‘You will, boy. You will when it's too late’”