Catcher In The Rye Coming Of Age

Lastly, what helps us to identify if The Catcher in the Rye is a coming of age novel, is how Holden's immature responces turned into mature responces. He always ran away from his problems but then he changed and learned how to take resposibily for his actions and care about his future by making correct actions. Holden was expelled from Pencey Prep for failing all of his classes exept English. His last day being at Pencey was supposed to be Wednesday, however, Holden couldn't bring himself to stay at the school because he believed that everyone around him is a phony. Just before he left Pencey Prep, Holden got in a huge fight with his roomate, Strandlater. Holden attacked Standlater when Standlater was brushing his teeth. Holden headed right
at his throut which coul've killed Standlater if luclky didnt miss. He was so furious about the fact that he co-opted with a girl,who Holden truly loved. As the fight ended, Holden went to the dorm that belong to Ackley. Ackley was a lousy phony as Holden identifies him. Holden was so devasted. He even said «I almost wish I was dead»(48). This was when he decided to run away. «All of a sudden, I decided what I'd really do, I'd get the hell out of Pencey--right that same night and all. I mean not wait till Wednesday or anything. I just didn't want to hang around any more. It made me too sad and lonesome. So what I decided to do, I decided I'd take a room in a hotel in New York--some very inexpensive hotel and all--and just take it easy till Wednesday. Then, on Wednesday, I'd go home all rested up and feeling swell. I figured my parents probably wouldn't get old

Thurmer's letter saying I'd been given the ax till maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I didn't want to go home or anything till they got it and thoroughly digested it and all. I didn't want to be around when they first got it. My mother gets very hysterical. She's not too bad after she gets

something thoroughly digested, though»(51).
Holden literally decided that it was a good idea to leave and take a vacation around a huge and dangerous city, New York. As he was travelling around New York, while trying to reach out to people so they can help him to stop feeling really lonely, he calls out his old girl friend, Sally, on a date. Out of nowhere he confesses to her about his secret plan to run away. Once again, Holden tries runs away. «Here's my idea. How would you like to get the hell out of here? Here's my idea. I know this guy down in Greenwich Village that we can borrow his car for a couple of weeks. He used to go to the same school I did and he still owes me ten bucks. What we could do is, tomorrow morning we could drive up to Massachusetts and Vermont, and all around there, see. It's beautiful as hell up there, It really is»(130). Neverless, he matures and takes things as an adult. When he called Phoebe over to tell her that he is going to leave and never come back, Phoebe appers with a huge suit case and pleads Holden to left her go with him. Holden pushes her away for as long as he can but then finally gives in. He decides to do a correct thing and go home. « ' Did you mean it what you said? You really aren't going away anywhere? Are you really going home afterwards?' she asked me. 'Yeah,' I said. I meant it, too. I wasn't lying to her. I really did go
home

afterwards»(212). He went home. Even though Holden quit Pencey Prep and many other school, it didnt't stop him from maturing and going to school again. «A lot of people, especially this one psychoanalyst guy they have here, keeps asking me if I'm going apply myself when I go back to school next September. ….I think I am, …»(213). Holden is a coming of age character because he grew and accepted the responsibilities that come with the adult world. At first he ran away from his problems like a typical child, but after, he matured and took his life under control. The problems like school that he tried to run away from, still came back to him and turned his life for better. Holden did not continue running away from his loved ones, his education and responsibilies as a person, instead he turned his chest towards the strong wind and walked without regret into the adult world.