Catcher In The Rye Why Does Holden Lose His Innocence

Catcher in the Rye Holden finds himself wanting to save kids from growing up. Holden knows what it is like in the grown-up world because he lost his innocence early as a child. Holden creates different relationships with many characters whose virtues emphasize Holden’s need to preserve his innocence. These characters include the guy in the elevator and the prostitute, Phoebe, and Allie. In Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Salinger uses many accent characters to define Holden’s character. Holden wants to hold on to innocence, but does he really have any left? Holden has an obsession with sex, but never really commits to it. Every time Holden is “feeling sexy”, his plans always fall through. Even so, why would he be worried about his innocence? In chapter 13 when Holden arrives to his hotel, he comes in contact with the elevator guy who asks him if he is interested in a prostitute. Though Holden …show more content…
When Holden sees the ‘F’ word scrawled across the bathroom stall at the museum, he becomes very upset. Though Holden may use vocabulary that this word falls in, he is afraid children like Phoebe might see this word and begin to use it. Holden is not scared that Phoebe would hear him using these words, but see them and know about them. Holden does not want Phoebe to say those words because it would ruin her innocence. Although Phoebe may hear Holden say these words very often and could pick them up from him, he is still afraid she could see them somewhere and begin to say it carelessly. Holden achieves his innocence through Phoebe because she is so young and free that Holden wants to keep her that way forever. Especially when Phoebe rides the carousel in the end. Holden knows the carousel only moves in circles and not forward, symbolizing children not growing and staying innocent as they are. Holden never wants Phoebe to stop riding the carousel because she looks so innocent and