Adolescence is a difficult time in anyone's life. Many teens are caught up between trying to be an adult and wanting to stay a child. There are certain characteristics that reflect which part a teen is stuck on, such as maturity. In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden the narrator is greatly lacking in maturity. Throughout this novel he exemplifies that he is a very impulsive teen with the want to be an adult. Holden has many outbursts showing he has no control over his actions and is incredibly impulsive. The advice Polonius gives to his son, Laertes, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet comes to good use with Holden’s impulsivity.
Holden says what is on his mind many times throughout The Catcher in the Rye. In the end of chapter 17, he is on a date with an old friend named Sally. While they are talking Holden comes out with “Did you ever get fed up” (Salinger 144-147). He then proceeds to go on a huge word vomit talking about how useless school is and all the phonies that schools have. Polonius tells his son to “Give every man thy ear, but few thy mouth” (Hamlet 1.3.74). Holden’s date with Sally can help translate Polonius’ advice into: do not over share your thoughts. Holden says that school is pretty much useless and talks about the phony boys at Pencey …show more content…
Stradlater arrives back at the dorm after his date with Jane and is upset to see Holden had written about Allie, his little brother’s, glove. Stradlater proceeds to insult Holden by saying “You don’t do one damn thing the way you’re supposed to” (Salinger 47). Although Holden does not verbally retaliate, he snatches the paper out of Stradlater’s hands and tears it up. Holden tearing the paper up is a type of retaliation that can be understood because he helped his friend out and Stradlater did not appreciate the fact that Holden had done the
Holden says what is on his mind many times throughout The Catcher in the Rye. In the end of chapter 17, he is on a date with an old friend named Sally. While they are talking Holden comes out with “Did you ever get fed up” (Salinger 144-147). He then proceeds to go on a huge word vomit talking about how useless school is and all the phonies that schools have. Polonius tells his son to “Give every man thy ear, but few thy mouth” (Hamlet 1.3.74). Holden’s date with Sally can help translate Polonius’ advice into: do not over share your thoughts. Holden says that school is pretty much useless and talks about the phony boys at Pencey …show more content…
Stradlater arrives back at the dorm after his date with Jane and is upset to see Holden had written about Allie, his little brother’s, glove. Stradlater proceeds to insult Holden by saying “You don’t do one damn thing the way you’re supposed to” (Salinger 47). Although Holden does not verbally retaliate, he snatches the paper out of Stradlater’s hands and tears it up. Holden tearing the paper up is a type of retaliation that can be understood because he helped his friend out and Stradlater did not appreciate the fact that Holden had done the