How Does Holden Grow Up In Catcher In The Rye

According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the definition of growing up is “to grow toward or arrive at full stature or physical or mental maturity”. In other words, growing up is the transition from one’s childhood to adulthood. Throughout the novel of the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the author illustrates the main character, Holden Caulfield and his painfulness of growing up by drawing out multiple symbols. Holden Caulfield, a seventeen year old teenager with a complex personality tells readers his life’s events before he ended up in a mental institute from a mental breakdown. The Ducks in Central Park Lagoon, the Museum of Natural History and the Catcher in the Rye are three important symbols that the author uses to demonstrate Holden’s painfulness
Phoebe confronts Holden about his current situation after she finds out that he got kicked out of another school again. Even though it takes a while, Holden finally states that he does like something in his life and he does have a dream. He exclaims that he will be “the catcher in the rye”. Oddly, Holden misinterprets the poem by Robert Burns Holden from “if a body meet a body coming through the rye” to “if a body catch a body.” He imagines himself standing at the edge of the rye’s field and catching all the children that “don’t look where they’re going” (173). This is one of the most significant symbols. Not only it is the essence of the book but it also reveals what Holden really wants for his life. It is almost like he feels the needs to protect the children. He has to catch all the children including his sister from falling into the dark and scary world of adults. For this reason, this position as a safeguard to the children is what Holden wants. At last, Holden’s dream symbolizes the beginning of him accepting the fact that he has to say goodbye to his