Examples Of Identity Formation In Catcher In The Rye

Some ways that theories surrounding identity formation can apply to holden, is how Holden gets kicked out of Pencey, how he acts differently when around different people, and how he doesn’t know where he belongs in the world. First holden gets kicked out of Pencey this may due to the fact he’s being given the responsibilities of an adult, and “achieving a solid identity requires a period of psychosocial moratorium -- a time when the adolescent is relieved from the obligations and responsibilities of adulthood that might restrict his or her pursuit of self-discovery... Adolescents who prematurely assume adult responsibilities... may prove fragile and immature later in life when faced with difficult challenges.” (Cornell). Living at Pencey and
other prep schools have given holden adult responsibilities at a young age, and may contribute to how holden acts, and may be the reason he didn’t try to achieve good grades in school. Second, Holden can be seen acting differently around different people this seems to be due to that fact that “adolescents' identity differs across contexts. That is, teenagers often see themselves differently when they are with parents and Identity Formation in Adolescence teachers, than they do when they are with peers.” (Cornell). Holden is known to act differently when he is in different scenarios, when he is with friends he acts tough and like he knows everything there is to know, when he is with teachers he is very respectful, and polite, and when he is with his sister he acts very affectionate and calm. Finally, holden doesn’t know where he belongs in the world, this can be attributed to the fact that, “Adolescents who prematurely assume adult responsibilities, most often as parents or full-time workers, have a harder time achieving their own identity” (Cornell). As before, Holden is given adult responsibilities at a young age, and therefore he may not have had the time necessary for him to realize who he wants to be in the world, this is evidenced by the fact that Holden doesn’t like to feel lonely and alone in the world, but at the same time he doesn’t want to put himself out into the world, and in turn isolates himself from everyone else who could help him realize what he wants to do with his life. In conclusion, Holden’s reason for being kicked out of Pencey can be attributed to theories surrounding identity formation, along with him acting differently around different people, and how he doesn’t know where be belongs in the world.