Examples Of Maturity In Catcher In The Rye

Denial, something so commonly felt and so often ignored. As a species we tend to hide our emotions, not only from others but also ourselves. Psychological projection, in order to mask our feelings, we tend to ball them all up and toss them into a trash can. Because more often than not pushing your problems away is so much easier than dealing with them (not knowing how). Having suffered from such great emotional turmoil, Holden struggles with his own emotions throughout “A Catcher in the rye”. He rarely feels at ease, always confused by his emotions and maturity. Indecisive and scared; all Holden seems to be able to do is run. With no emotional support Holden reflects his own fears and emotions onto the ducks, mirroring his own stress and confusion.
Frozen and stuck in his past, and in his mistakes, Holden never seems to be able to escape his history. J.D Salinger constantly draws us back to Holden’s memories,
Holden is stuck mourning Allie and yet he doesn't want to acknowledge it; He doesn't want to face his own memories in fear of his grief never leaving him. Wanting to fly only to find his legs fixed down, never moving forward. Just like the ducks, Holden is forever frozen in his past, scared because after so much mourning he doesn't know what he would do if he finally let go and flew away.
Insecurity, a recurring theme in “The Catcher in the Rye”. In 1953, when JD Salinger published this book the concept of a modern day teenager was just beginning to popularize in the media. Films such as “A rebel without a cause” became classics, all portraying a common theme of rebellion and insecurity. A recent study concluded that almost 92% of teenagers have felt insecure, about either their appearance or knowledge. Holden repeatedly appears unsure of himself through the novel; his own insecurity is made clear when he changes his mind every other