The Life and Times of Holden Caufield

Holden Caulfield is the controversial character in The Catcher in the

Rye. He goes through many changes throughout the novel as he matures from

a child to an adult. In this book, he is portrayed as a confused teenager trying

to find his place in the “crazy” world, while criticizing his foes and

contradicting himself. The way he presents himself throughout the novel

allows readers to relate to him better. His experiences and his thoughts vary,

but still revolve around one main center of gravity which the author, J.D.

Holden has many distinct characteristics that set him apart from his

peers. There is one problem that he cannot escape, and that is lying. Holden

lies to everyone including two nuns that he meets in a diner. Another thing is

his language. “This is representative of the typical adolescence of his time

and place and indicative of his personal fears and frustrations.” (Magill,

Magill’s...1803). He is sixteen years old and a junior at Pencey Prep School

in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. His age ties in to his openness. Holden often

expresses his feelings because he is at the age where he does not really care

about others. He is not afraid to tell people what he think

. . .