How Is Holden Caulfield Inferior To Childhood

Catcher in the Right: Holden onto Childhood In The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, the main character Holden Caulfield is shown to be opposed to people who are less genuine or “phony,” and prefers the young because of their pure and innocent nature. (IN PROGRESS… need more intro) Salinger represents adulthood as inherently inferior to childhood, a time of innocence and a sense of wonder, expressing it through Holden’s opinions towards the individuals he comes across. One way Salinger expresses the importance of being pure and genuine (or being a child) is through Holden’s need to preserve innocence. He is shown to be especially protective of his younger siblings, his sister Phoebe and deceased brother Allie. In chapter 14, Holden is reminiscing about life with Allie and recalls one specific day where he was biking to Lake Sedebego with a friend. Holden says to himself, “We were going to take our lunches and all, and our BB guns- we were kids and all, and we thought we could shoot something with our BB guns. Anyway Allie heard us talking about it, and he wanted to go, and I wouldn’t let him. I told him he was a child,”(98). In calling himself and his …show more content…
He is not staying true to himself, and Holden, because of his dislike for all things fake, calls him out on it. This is completely different as to when in chapter 16, Holden is walking down Broadway before his date with Sally, and observes a child singing, “If a body catch a body coming through the rye,”(115). Holden claims that he is “singing just for the hell of it” and notes that the kid has a “pretty little voice.” But because the kid is singing for his own enjoyment and staying true to himself, meanwhile Ernie is playing the piano because people are clapping for him, Salinger shows just how change and growing up affect authenticity, and how being real and true to yourself makes all the