The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a novel about a young character's growth into
maturity. The themes throughout The Catcher in the Rye share a common resemblance with the
personality of the main character, Holden Caulfield, which can be easily distinguished by the
reader. The significant themes that tie together with Holden's character include the painfulness of
growing up, "phoniness" of the adult world, and alienation as a form of self-protection.
"Certain things, they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of
those big glass cases and just leave them alone."(p.122) This quote Caulfield articulates about
while discussing how things were different each time he went to the museum, originates from an
inability to accept that he must grow up. Instead of acknowledging that adulthood scares and
mystifies, Holden invents a fantasy that adulthood is a world of superficiality and hypocrisy, while
childhood is a world of innocence, curiosity, and honesty. Caulfield is a hostile, negatively
charged character who suffers from depression, which stems from a desire to not grow up, and a
lack of closure involving his brother's death. Caulfield does not express normal rebellion like the
usual fictional teenagers. He distrusts his teachers and parents, not because he wants to separate
himself from them, but because he cannot relate with them. The only people he trusts and respects
are Allie, his deceased brother, and Phoebe, his younger sister. Caulfield views the world as an
evil and corrupt place where there is no peace. At one point, Caulfield was residing in the vicinity
of Manhattan. The city was decked with decorations and holiday splendour, yet, much to
Caulfield's despair seldom yields any occasion of peace, charity or even genuine merriment.
He is surrounded by what he views as drunk, perverted, and selfish adults, whic
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