How Does Holden Maintain Childhood Innocence In Catcher In The Rye

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While Holden is searching for meaning and purpose in life, his main concern deals with maintaining childhood innocence. Holden admires Jane Gallagher who is a girl that he spent almost everyday with during the summer time. Holden describes that he would play checkers with Jane and how “she wouldn’t move any of her kings…. [because] she just liked the way they looked when they were all in the backrow” (Salinger 31-32). Jane does not move any of her kings because she likes to play safe. This illustrates Jane’s character as she represents an innocent being who doesn’t like to take risks.

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