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How Does Holden Lose His Innocence

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How Does Holden Lose His Innocence
Robert Kraft 11/10/10
The novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger is about a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield who struggles to find his identity. Holden wants to be an adult but he also subconsciously wants to stay young and maintain his innocence. Holden shows this when he hires a prostitute but doesn’t have sex with her. Holden’s negative encounter with the prostitute shows that although he tries to act like a tough adult he is still a kid at heart.
One instance when the reader realizes Holden is still a kid is when he admits that he is still a virgin. Holden then goes on to make excuses for why he hasn’t lost his virginity. Holden states that, “Something always happens” (92). Holden continues to deceive himself without
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