Holden’s life basically is an interaction of the two scenarios, which makes him a special case. In the first instance, he strives to be young forever. He does not want to be an adult, because he
equates adulthood with “phoniness”
. In contrast, he sees children as innocent, gentle and pure.
How does Holden resist adulthood?
It is matched by
a twin compulsion to ward off progress into adulthood
. We can see this in Holden’s behavior at school, letting himself fail instead of working toward high school graduation. Another example of this tendency can be seen in the episode where Holden refuses to have sex with the prostitute.
Why is Holden scared of adulthood?
Holden’s problems
The lack of love, attention and faith in life
makes him afraid of adulthood. He does not want to be part of that frightening world. He looks for answers and tries to find himself and stop being stuck in between childhood and adulthood.
What does Holden hate about adults?
Holden characterizes
“phonies”
as people who are dishonest or fake about who they really are, or people who play a part just to fit into a society that Holden questions. Therefore, Holden hates “phonies” because they represent everything he fears or fights against, such as adulthood, conformity, and commercialism.
What does Holden struggle with?
Holden’s struggles in the book The Catcher in the Rye include his
inability to properly cope with his brother’s tragic death
and move on from his traumatic past. Holden also struggles with identity issues and fails to engage in meaningful social interactions.
Why is Holden immature?
Holden’s immaturity causes him many problems throughout the story. Although he is physically mature,
he acts more like a child
. … Holden is unable to accept realities of life because of his negative personality. He claims that many people are phony and that they try to do things to make them look better than they are.
How does Holden try to preserve innocence?
Holden tries to protect the children from reading the swear word that could poison their mind.
The red hunting hat
is another symbolism of innocence in the novel. Holden always wear the red hunting hat to protect himself from the “hunter”, the society.
Does Holden act like adulthood?
Holden attempts to act like an
adult when he visits the home of his aging professor
, before he leaves Pencey Prep. He takes the advice given to him, however begrudgingly, but basically sits and listens politely.
What makes Holden happy?
Spending time with Phoebe, reminiscing about Allie, and hanging out with Jane Gallagher
makes Holden happy in The Catcher in the Rye. Holden also enjoys ice-skating, reading, playing checkers with Jane, and visiting the Museum of Natural History, where nothing ever changes.
Why was Mr Antolini petting Holden?
Antolini
touches Holden’s forehead as he sleeps
, he may overstep a boundary in his display of concern and affection. However, there is little evidence to suggest that he is making a sexual overture, as Holden thinks, and much evidence that Holden misinterprets his action.
Does Holden Caulfield lose his virginity?
Holden Caulfield does not lose his virginity during
the course of The Catcher in the Rye, though he makes some half-hearted attempts to do so.
Is Holden in a mental hospital?
Holden (despite the confusion of the Harcourt Brace executive) is not crazy; he tells his story from a sanatorium (where he has gone because of a fear that he has t.b.),
not a mental hospital
.
What is Holden’s weakness?
Salinger, Holden Caufield, the main character is a negatively charged person, doesn’t want himself or others around him to grow up, and suffers from
depression
because of his brothers death.
Why is Holden depressed?
His past traumas and current issues have led him to depression
. In the beginning, Holden tells readers about the two deaths he experienced. His younger brother, Allie, died of leukemia three years prior, which greatly impacted him emotionally. … The entire novel, Holden struggles to come to terms with growing up.
What does Holden not like?
Holden mentions consistently throughout the story that what he hates the most, in general, is (quote)
“phony people”
. On that list many will fall such as girls, jocks, his older brother, among others.
Does Holden have a limited education body of knowledge?
Holden is only sixteen years old. He has been to three prep schools and has been expelled from all three of them. Therefore, his
educational background is minimal
. He must have had very little high-school-type education, and he shows that he has no self-discipline.
