"I hate ingratitude more in a man than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, or any taint of vice whose strong corruption inhabits our frail blood."
             The transition of adolescence to adulthood is most often represented by actions of a rebellious nature, and through hostility. Rebellion is apparent when one is exploited by society and corrupted by reality; this is frequently portrayed by the loss of innocence and purity. French philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau, claimed that infants are born innately innocent, pure and not evil, therefore adults have the natural tendencies to shelter them from society. Once the child has been exposed and tainted, the struggle to understand the concept of society begins, inevitably leading to a winding road of turmoil. Corruption will gradually erode the child's naiveté thrusting him to maturity. Likewise, conflicts that commonly arise are depression and emotional stress which habitually stem from identity crisis. Conformity is the severe issue in society, usually a significant factor causing confusion of one's identity. In the 1950's or the post- war era, young people were ideally expected to conform, and to live and behave in the same way as their parents. The novel portrays America as a society characterized by injustices, inequality and social problems. Holden Caulfield, a trouble adolescent in The Catcher in the Rye is a pessimist who seeks for flaws and is conflicting with the "youth culture" in the 1950's. He is a cynic teenager who deliberately discovers the flaws and weakness of the world. Holden's misinterpretations and misapprehensions of society inevitably result in his perplexing and depressing transition to adulthood. His resistance derives from his criticism towards adults, his lack of guidance from others, and his desire to preserve the innocence and purity of others. His struggle to mature and to be independent is hindered by mis...