Comparing The Catcher In The Rye, By J. D. Salinger

A Step into a New world

In J.D Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye a young adult named Holden Caulfield experiences going into adulthood. Holden fears the world of being an adult because he fears he will lose all of his childhood. In the 1950’s people couldn’t be classified as a teen or teenager you were either a kid or an adult. Holden shadows behind the fact that he’s very intellectual because he doesn't want people to be disappointed in him or, others to be disappointed in him.

Holden shadows behind the fact that he is intelligent . Holden doesn't want to give off the impression that he's not that type of person he wants to be one of the kids that doesn't care about the work put in. Holden wants to give off that he is a “Bad Boy” and that he does what he wants. Holden only showed up to school and he barely did that Holden skipped lots of days. He had Hines never knew what it was like to put in the work and feel the good of finishing something . If Holden may have applied himself he may have been able to do something with his life. In the story Holden says “They really will. This is about the fourth school I’ve gone to.”(Salinger 19), Holden thinks that everytime you fail you can just let it pass but he never wants to try to
fix it or stick with anything.

Holden says “ In the first place I’d only written the damn note so that he wouldn’t feel to bad about flunking me.” (Salinger 47), Holden never put any thought into writing the paper he knows what he’s talking about but can't take the time to do the work. He just wanted Mr. Spencer to not feel all that bad about flunking him and with holden's abilities he could’ve aced the paper without even trying. Holden's very smart but he just doesn't apply himself. He’s cowardly because he scared of the thought of disappointment in himself and others but if he’d would ever show a little thought or effort maybe somebody may see the work he is trying to do and help him with is problems.

The way Holden lives is just passing by not paying attention to details in life and not really caring if he does a great job or a sloppy job. He just says oh that's good enough and puts it off but really if he had applied himself he could do amazing things. Holden says “Oh, i feel some concern for my future, all right…”(Salinger 64), honestly he could change his ways and make things better and easier for himself if he had learned how to try and put some effort into something without giving up. Holden is trying to look for ways to transition himself between being a kid to an adult, he is trying so hard to become more mature.
The major thing holding Holden back from the transition is his mental instability because he becomes more desperate as the story goes. Holden is highly confused as to what he wants to be perceived as, he wants to be the role model of Phoebe but he can't take responsibility like an adult. If Holden somehow learns to take responsibility and change his attitude on how the world goes he could be great in the career field of psychiatric therapist a person who gets thoughts on others and tries to help. Holden knows what it is like to have these kind of issues and he could help others fix their
problems.