What Is Holden's Rollercoaster Ride In Catcher In The Rye

Life is one big rollercoaster ride. Throughout The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, readers get a peek into Holden’s life. In a matter of a few days, Holden’s roller coaster plummets south. HIs world is twisting and turning as if he is riding with no seatbelt. We, as readers, are brought along each stop of the ride.
    Initially Holden is a very immature boy. He has been kicked out of many exclusive schools his parents sent him to, and he uses an abundance of profane words. He is very depressed. At times he even said, “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window” (104).  This caused all his problems to worsen. It was the root to all his struggles. His depression was what led him to flunk out of school and dismiss his education. It led to his loneliness. He would strike up a conversation with a cab driver just to prevent himself from feeling lonely. Holden is very verbose, and he never runs out of topics to speak. When he was not talking to a cab driver, he was speaking to another random person. He told Ms. Marrow lies about who he was. In accordance with lying about who he was, he also lied about the people he knew.

Holden was not always mad at the world and depressed.

He has a sweet spot for his sister, Phoebe Caulfield. Phoebe brought him happiness and she gave him a reason to stay in New York. When Holden was around Phoebe, he was more optimistic and caring. She was Holden’s main supporter. Towards the end, he was less selfish to her and cared more about her. When she asked him to stay, he eventually did. Also, he gave her the money back that he borrowed. A line from the book says, “I sort of miss everybody I told about” (214). This shows that Holden is a little regretful for everything. If he misses everyone, he is starting to care more for others and possibly even more for

himself.
    Sometimes, however, Holden can be hypocritical. He expects people to not be judgmental, yet he can be judgmental. Holden is always looking for someone to talk to and he never has anyone. Although he expects people to listen to him, he does not always do the same in return. Page 117 says, “If an actor acts it out, I hardly listen.” This is an example of how Holden is hypocritical. He expects people to listen to him, but that sentence proves that Holden doesn’t always listen in return. Also, when Mr. Antolini drinks Holden thinks of him as an alcoholic, but Holden is similar to Mr. Antolini. Holden, in accord with Mr. Antolini smokes more than they should. He smoked a pack or two within the few days of him leaving Pencey. However, the thing that makes Holden the most hypocritical is how he complains about phonies, but is a phony himself. He doesn’t like how people greet each other and act as if they like small talk. For example, Holden doesn’t like when people ask how you’re doing, or say things like it was nice to meet you. When Holden meets people though he does the same thing, and he’s always talking.