Holden Caulfield Honesty

In The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist, Holden, is a teenage boy who struggles with his emotions and connecting with other people. Throughout the book, he encounters many different people in New York City after he leaves his preparatory high school early due to his expulsion. All of the people that Holden meets are seen to him as “phonies” so he decides not to listen to them. He is held back because of the fact that he believes he is the only genuine one. Holden’s belief in his infallibility prevents him from listening to others perspectives and does not allow himself to mature. Throughout the book he is given great advice, but he is to full of himself to realize that he is not as wise as he thinks. He is just as young man who thinks he

knows everything about the world, yet he has much to learn about his life and other’s lives.
Throughout the novel, Holden avoids his problems and he does not listen to his elders.

Holden never truly listens to what others have to say even if it can be beneficial to him. Multiple times in the novel Holden is being taught something, but he completely disregards the things they are saying due to the fact that he believes he is correct. For example, when Holden is talking to his sister, Phoebe, about his dislikes, she says he does not like much of anything. He completely jumps to the conclusion that she is wrong. Holden says to Phoebe, “That’s where you’re wrong- that’s exactly where you are wrong!” (Salinger 169) He automatically defends himself and tries to prove that his sister is wrong. He does this without taking the time to realize that he is actually a very pessimistic person. He believes he has no problems with his life, but he is living a lie. It is obvious to the audience that Holden is negative about almost everything although he continues to deny it. Holden does not allow his family, friends, or elders into his life. He will not allow them to talk to him about what he could change to better himself. Holden is quick to jump to the conclusion that he is right and that others do not have a clue about what they are saying. This overbearing thought of his infallibility and omniscience is causing problems with others and

himself.
Holden continues to believe in his opinions strongly throughout the book and this is a reason for his resistance to change.

For example soon before he leaves Pencey Preparatory School, he talks to his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, about his educational career. Mr. Spencer tells him the importance of education and Holden basically disregards his comment. Holden continues to ignore the advice given to him by his elders; “I’m trying to put some sense in that head of yours, boy. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you, if I can.” (14). Holden is too stubborn to understand that his teacher is only trying to look out for him and give him helpful advice about his life. He seems as though he will never change his attitude about his personal education. Everyone around is trying to help him mature and change into a young adult. Unfortunately, he will not let anyone alter the path that he has for himself. He does not welcome change due to the fact that he wants to control everything around him, which will damage himself and his relationships in the future. This leads to him not being able to develop into a man. He is still a child and he needs to mature and grow although he cannot mature if nobody is there to teach him

how.
Throughout the novel it is obvious that Holden is very closed off with his emotions. He will not pay attention to anyone regardless of what knowledge he or she have to give. He believes that he always knows what is best for him and he will not let anyone else influence him. Holden needs to open up to his peers and accept his failures in order to move forward. Holden continues to ignore others opinions because he believes he is right; this limits his ability to learn. When he begins to open up to people and listen to others, he will be able to mature and he will be wiser because of it.