Often times, the transition into adult life can be difficult. Not only is it hard to lose your innocent nature but it’s also difficult to push yourself into adult experiences. In many ways, however, teens are forced to do so. In the famous novel, The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden experiences many of these problems. This book reveals that, while in many ways an average teen, Holden is literally stuck in between a man and a child’s mindset.
Although generally mature, Holden often has very childish thoughts or outbursts. Childlike behaviors that Holden exhibits range from self absorption, fantasy-play, insecurities, and being unable to anticipate the outcomes of pretty black and white actions. For instance, “Look, I said. Here’s …show more content…
In one instance, Holden displays maturity when he tells his sister she cannot accompany him on his road trip out West, “You can’t take anything. Because you’re not going. I’m going alone” (Salinger, 206). While using immature forms of expression, the general intent was to preserve his sisters well being. You can’t get much more mature than voluntarily taking care of someone else's health and wellbeing. Another occasion of maturity is when he hires the prostitute, “...she said, Let’s go, hey. Don’t you feel like talking for a while? I asked her. It was a childish thing to say, but I was feeling so damn peculiar (Salinger, 95). While he considers it immature, it’s actually a nobly mature action, especially when he starts feeling bad for her. Financially, she is forced into the job and he recognizes it and starts to pity her. He’s mature enough to not use the power he has over other people. Furthermore, throughout the book, Holden searches for a higher purpose in potentially reckless adult situations. Connecting back to the prostitute, instead of taking advantage he attempts to actually connect. In bars and clubs he usually goes to meet a friend or listen to quality music, not try and “get some” or try to further his own ends. In very few instances in the book does he actually try to make moves on the women in the clubs and in those few he decides it’s not worth
Although generally mature, Holden often has very childish thoughts or outbursts. Childlike behaviors that Holden exhibits range from self absorption, fantasy-play, insecurities, and being unable to anticipate the outcomes of pretty black and white actions. For instance, “Look, I said. Here’s …show more content…
In one instance, Holden displays maturity when he tells his sister she cannot accompany him on his road trip out West, “You can’t take anything. Because you’re not going. I’m going alone” (Salinger, 206). While using immature forms of expression, the general intent was to preserve his sisters well being. You can’t get much more mature than voluntarily taking care of someone else's health and wellbeing. Another occasion of maturity is when he hires the prostitute, “...she said, Let’s go, hey. Don’t you feel like talking for a while? I asked her. It was a childish thing to say, but I was feeling so damn peculiar (Salinger, 95). While he considers it immature, it’s actually a nobly mature action, especially when he starts feeling bad for her. Financially, she is forced into the job and he recognizes it and starts to pity her. He’s mature enough to not use the power he has over other people. Furthermore, throughout the book, Holden searches for a higher purpose in potentially reckless adult situations. Connecting back to the prostitute, instead of taking advantage he attempts to actually connect. In bars and clubs he usually goes to meet a friend or listen to quality music, not try and “get some” or try to further his own ends. In very few instances in the book does he actually try to make moves on the women in the clubs and in those few he decides it’s not worth