How Does Holden Mature

“The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one" (Salinger 188). In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden is stuck between two worlds: one with being mature and the other of childhood. Holden is viewed as a childish “madman” (mental condition) by the audience. Holden is afraid of change, so it is hard for him to live in the world we stay in. It is always changing, so the transfer from being a teenager to an adult is hard for him. Though Holden is confused between the two worlds, he will gain his conscience towards the end and make up his mind. Holden thinks things should stay the same and should not change. He states, “Certain things they should stay the way they are" (Salinger 122). Holden used to visit the museum when he was little and every time they went the museum never changed, but he would. He likes the museum because nothing ever changes. He feels trapped on “the other side” of life, and he continually attempts to find his way in a world in which he feels he does not belong. Because of this, he does not know how to react to the world interactions with other people, which
She asks Holden why did he do it (got expelled form Pencey)? She makes Holden feel guilty for doing what he did, and she constantly repeats “Daddy’ll kill you" (Salinger 165). She tries to get Holden to admit what he likes. Holden thinks and says Allie (his younger brother that died), which is one of the few things he can think of. Now Phoebe is trying to get Holden to think about what he would like to be when he gets older. Holden replies he would like to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff. You may think his reply is weird, but that is where she has Holden actually thinking about his future. Holden does not realize it but he is maturing during this