The Catcher in the Rye resonates within society and within each individual. It is an “coming of age” story that anyone can find a way to relate to with the character beginning in turmoil, struggling in turmoil, having a moment of epiphany, and eventually suffering physical and emotional collapse. Holden Caulfield, protagonist of the novel, experiences first hand the effects of two earth-shattering traumas and setbacks that play a role in his emotional psyche. The death of his brother, Allie, the suicide of a school friend and his constant feeling of loneliness and ability to cope, eventually leads him to reject what he feels is the "phoniness" of the adult world and the idea that you must grow up.
The death of Holden's brother, Allie, greatly affected his ties to reality and preempted his mental breakdown. For instance, while he was walking around in New York, Holden was continuously praying to his brother, "Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie don't let me …show more content…
With the death of his brother, a close friend, and family expectations that he cannot meet, Holden rejects reality and the “phony” adult world. However, the reader does see that Holden does evolve toward the end of the novel. His acceptance of Phoebe's need to "grab for the gold ring" indicates that he sees her as a maturing individual who must be allowed to live her own life and take her own risks. At this point, he finally sees that children have to do this, and adults must let them. That's a step forward from believing that he must be their protector. For better or worse, Holden's own maturation has begun. He seems ready to surrender to the inevitability of growing up. He is exhausted, physically and emotionally, ready to go home and collapse. Holden may or may not have progressed enough, learned enough, or matured enough to make it in the future but, as Holden says in the final chapter, "I mean how do you know what you're going to do till you do
The death of Holden's brother, Allie, greatly affected his ties to reality and preempted his mental breakdown. For instance, while he was walking around in New York, Holden was continuously praying to his brother, "Allie, don't let me disappear. Allie don't let me …show more content…
With the death of his brother, a close friend, and family expectations that he cannot meet, Holden rejects reality and the “phony” adult world. However, the reader does see that Holden does evolve toward the end of the novel. His acceptance of Phoebe's need to "grab for the gold ring" indicates that he sees her as a maturing individual who must be allowed to live her own life and take her own risks. At this point, he finally sees that children have to do this, and adults must let them. That's a step forward from believing that he must be their protector. For better or worse, Holden's own maturation has begun. He seems ready to surrender to the inevitability of growing up. He is exhausted, physically and emotionally, ready to go home and collapse. Holden may or may not have progressed enough, learned enough, or matured enough to make it in the future but, as Holden says in the final chapter, "I mean how do you know what you're going to do till you do