Holden Caulfield Criticism

Introduction Over the course of English literature, many characters in famous stories have had their specific trademark personalities and qualms that makes each character special. In the popular novel The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger, the main character of Holden Caulfield has been viewed as an influential character in English literature, however many avid readers point out that Holden has no emotional or social advantage that sets him apart from other famous literary characters. Because of this fault, Holden has been on the receiving end of much criticism. Goodreads.com user Haleemahas gone on the record to state that because of Caulfield’s pessimistic attitude, and negative view of the world around him, that he never

Many characters inside the story, and even the readers at this section of the book, view this as more of a questionable activity rather than what Holden believes is a normal occurrence, because of his underage drinking. However, once someone begins to take down the layers of Holden’s decision to enter the bar, you begin to realize that it wasn’t out of free will, but out of force of habit or determinism. Philosophers, like James Quirk, believe that all events and actions have causes, and if there are identical causes, then identical effects should occur (Quirk How to understand Determinism). After reviewing this passage, it does make sense that Holden heads into a bar to commence in underage drinking, Holden has stated that he has a Drinking problem spurred on by high stress events, showing that Caulfield’s drinking is not of free will, I.E. his actions taken out of his own volition, but of Determinism, a process that states how Holden was not truly in control and was rather in “autopilot”, a problem which is later recognized. Whilst at the bar Caulfield does come into contact with an old “acquaintance” in the form of D.B’s ex-girlfriend, Lila Simmons. “How marvelous to see you… how fares your brother?’ That’s all she ever cared about really” (Salinger 86). Similar to the cab driver and the old lady, Lila is yet another example of a “true Phony” for Holden, someone who doesn’t care about helping anyone else and are just in it for his/her self, to which his viewpoint does seem correct. After his experience in the bar, Holden eventually heads back to his room, only to find a more corrupt person, as compared to those