Catcher In The Rye Childhood Vs Adulthood

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Is childhood truly better than adulthood? Or is it better to have more responsibility and freedom? In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye Holden is confronted by these same questions. He wants more independence, but does not want the responsibility that comes with adulthood. Throughout the book Holden will search for his true identity, but cannot decide if can stay a young boy or grow up to become a man. Feeling pressure to act more his age, Holden forces himself to emulate behaviors only found in adults, such as cigarettes and alcohol, sarcasm or criticizing others, and isolating himself to prove independence. No matter how many adult like behaviors Holden mimics, he cannot let go of the young boy who lives inside him. Some will point to the fact Holden has flunked out of three preparatory schools, and use it to symbolize the fact he is not truly ready for adulthood, but adulthood is not only about having an education. Holden will become stressed about his failure in school and uses cigarettes and alcohol to make himself appear older. Holden talks about his experience …show more content…

Yet there is some sort of weight taken off of Holden's shoulders, in the final scene at Central Park, when we all know Holden will be alright. Holden may not understand the phoniness in his life, but will come to a moment of acceptance, understanding, and love which will make his life enjoyable. The little things Holden enjoys begin to grow, and spark many reasons he shouldn't go into a deeper depression. The outburst of emotion at the end of the novel shows what he has been missing out on while he has been busy hating the world. The conversation at the end of the novel speaks to this,“About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about,”(Salinger 234). Holden finally lets himself feel what he has been rejecting this whole time, compassion and ultimately,

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