Holden Caulfield Analysis

                                         Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield is the main character of the catcher in the rye, he is a sixteen year old guy. Holden isn't the typical stereotype of a teenager that society is used to set. His personality stands out as a troublemaker mostly because of the time the book takes place. His “main” believe or thought is based, as the title itself, that he is the one who has to catch kids from the rye of entering to the adulthood world. He is determine to help and protect kids from the cruel world, he wants them to keep their innocence For Holden, innocence of little kids means a real or pure virtue and not a hypocritical thing. Holden is characterized by his unusual points of views about the world and how his visions of society affected his decisions and feelings. He is constantly contradicting himself with topics as sexuality, growth and people he surrounds with. Holden's cleverness of being an observant person has made him become a critical, judgmental and analyzer person. One's Holden most significant feature through the book is the fact that he always is judging and criticizing people. He constantly uses the term “phony” to describe people who are hypocrite, mainstream, boring, insincere or that simply follows behavior society imposes. He also is an unreliable person due to the fact that he is used to lying and somehow this made him unable to interact or establish a relationship bond with people.

As said in the book Holden Caulfield has gone trough two traumatizing experiences; the suicide of a classmate and the dead of his little brother, Allie. This experiences may have contribute to his way of seeing the world and his identity of person himself. He feels he has the duty of protect little kids, something that he would have done if Allie wasn't gone. Sometimes Holden feels like talking to Allie, this brings him hollowness and melancholy. Holden protects himself from insecurity and harm with a red cap he owns. Although this cap makes him feel safe he only wears it when he is alone.

Holden's rebellious attitude has gotten him into several problems. He has failed four out of five schools and his lack of interest for his future has lead him to wander around without a home and spending money away in alcohol, cigarettes and women. Holden has an urge of acting as an adult, going to bars, drinking and smoking regard his own believe of keeping childhood and innocence.

As he tries so hard of being and adult he has a sexual desire that as a virgin he wants to satisfy. Most of time he is thinking about women, it is notable how bad he wants to lose his virginity. Holden really believes that sexual relations should happen only between two people who really care for each other, who have a tender love and feelings that go beyond the physical activity. That's why, he is disturb by being arose by woman he don't even know, the thought of causal and kinky sex bothers him.

Holden Caulfield is a very complex character, he has a mixture of rebellion, insecurity, depression,cowardice and conceit. He is a loner by choice but also seeks company. His constant battle of trying to not be part of society system but that mades him a phony person. He lies but at the same time he has some very strong values. He tries to face situations like someone rough and rebel but deep inside he only covers himself, because he is afraid. All these contradictions are what make Holden as a person and have built his outstanding essence and personality all throughout the book .