Although Holden fears becoming an adult, his encounters with Mr. Antolini, Carl Luce, and the nuns help him learn that he is capable of greatness, how to be mature, and to put others above himself.
The nuns first show that Holden wants to be a charitable and giving person, and guide him on how to be mature. Holden talks about his like for the nuns when he says, “You could tell they never went anywhere swanky for lunch”(Salinger 149). Holden likes the nuns so much because they have the amazing ability to help others without seeking their own personal selfish goal. They bring out a whole new mature side of Holden were he wishes to be a giving charitable person. The nuns reappear later on in the book when Holden’s little sister, Phoebe, asks him …show more content…
Holden admits his immaturity when asking Carl questions were he responds, “Naturally. Your mind is immature”, and Holden replies by saying, “it is it really is. I know it is.”(Salinger191). It was a shocking admission because throughout the whole novel Holden has been trying to act more mature then he really is, and this is the first time that he really admits his immaturity. Holden asks Carl so many questions because he looks up to Carl and wants to be as mature as him so he asks for his advice. Holden shows his admiration of Carl when he says, “He was strictly a pain in the ass, but he certainly had a good vocabulary. He had the largest vocabulary of any boy at Whooton when I was there”(Salinger193). This shows that in some way Holden has been idolizing Carl, because he has a large vocabulary he is able to go into more depth, and und have a better understanding of life. Carl also shows Holden the importance of school because he has a superior education, and Holden can see that by his education he is mature in not only his own eyes but also the eyes of others. Overall Carl Luce helps Holden mature by being a positive example of a mature person close to his age, and shows him the benefits of a great …show more content…
Antolini is one of the few people who treat Holden like an adult, and teaches them to never stop looking for what he wants in life, no matter what. Mr. Antollini first shows that he thinks of Holden as an adult when he asks Holden, “Have a cigarette. Are you Smoking now?”(Salinger 237). Smoking is a vey mature thing to do and Mr. Antolini offering Holden a cigarette shows that he believes Holden is mature enough to handle it. Mr. Antolini gives Holden hope that if one adult can see him as mature, then he can convince other adults as well. Mr. Antolini then ruined all the work he put into Holden when he was drunk, and Holden says, “he was sitting on the floor right next to the couch, in the dark and all, and he was just sort of petting me or patting me on the goddamn head”(Salinger 249). Holden was very creeped out by Mr. Antolini’s action and immediately disregarded all that Mr. Antolinis advice, but Holden later rethinks his immediate reaction. He looks back at how hard Mr. Antolini tries to help him fix his life and makes the mature decision to forgive Mr. Antollini, and even felt bad for being so haste and childish in his action to leave Mr. Antolini’s house. In conclusion Mr. Antolini helps Holden to mature by treating him as an adult rather then a child, and unintentionally giving him a chance to make a mature
The nuns first show that Holden wants to be a charitable and giving person, and guide him on how to be mature. Holden talks about his like for the nuns when he says, “You could tell they never went anywhere swanky for lunch”(Salinger 149). Holden likes the nuns so much because they have the amazing ability to help others without seeking their own personal selfish goal. They bring out a whole new mature side of Holden were he wishes to be a giving charitable person. The nuns reappear later on in the book when Holden’s little sister, Phoebe, asks him …show more content…
Holden admits his immaturity when asking Carl questions were he responds, “Naturally. Your mind is immature”, and Holden replies by saying, “it is it really is. I know it is.”(Salinger191). It was a shocking admission because throughout the whole novel Holden has been trying to act more mature then he really is, and this is the first time that he really admits his immaturity. Holden asks Carl so many questions because he looks up to Carl and wants to be as mature as him so he asks for his advice. Holden shows his admiration of Carl when he says, “He was strictly a pain in the ass, but he certainly had a good vocabulary. He had the largest vocabulary of any boy at Whooton when I was there”(Salinger193). This shows that in some way Holden has been idolizing Carl, because he has a large vocabulary he is able to go into more depth, and und have a better understanding of life. Carl also shows Holden the importance of school because he has a superior education, and Holden can see that by his education he is mature in not only his own eyes but also the eyes of others. Overall Carl Luce helps Holden mature by being a positive example of a mature person close to his age, and shows him the benefits of a great …show more content…
Antolini is one of the few people who treat Holden like an adult, and teaches them to never stop looking for what he wants in life, no matter what. Mr. Antollini first shows that he thinks of Holden as an adult when he asks Holden, “Have a cigarette. Are you Smoking now?”(Salinger 237). Smoking is a vey mature thing to do and Mr. Antolini offering Holden a cigarette shows that he believes Holden is mature enough to handle it. Mr. Antolini gives Holden hope that if one adult can see him as mature, then he can convince other adults as well. Mr. Antolini then ruined all the work he put into Holden when he was drunk, and Holden says, “he was sitting on the floor right next to the couch, in the dark and all, and he was just sort of petting me or patting me on the goddamn head”(Salinger 249). Holden was very creeped out by Mr. Antolini’s action and immediately disregarded all that Mr. Antolinis advice, but Holden later rethinks his immediate reaction. He looks back at how hard Mr. Antolini tries to help him fix his life and makes the mature decision to forgive Mr. Antollini, and even felt bad for being so haste and childish in his action to leave Mr. Antolini’s house. In conclusion Mr. Antolini helps Holden to mature by treating him as an adult rather then a child, and unintentionally giving him a chance to make a mature