Holden Caulfield Character Development Essay Example

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a realistic fiction novel that comments on the inevitable transition from childhood to adulthood and the importance of accepting this adjustment. Through his protagonist, Holden Caulfield’s, infatuation with youth, Salinger portrays this message. As we step into Holden’s world, we meet a pessimistic Caulfield, wary of the adult world. Its numerous trials and tribulations are intimidating to Holden, although he doesn’t care to admit it. Throughout the course of his youth, Holden always had an obsession with the innocence of youngsters. He wanted nothing but to preserve this favorable attribute within them. By the end of the novel, his view of reality is put into perspective, and he now has a better understanding, and therefore acceptance, of this adjustment that everyone must undergo. 

Holden’s dread of losing his youth introduces itself to us early on in the novel. On page 81 in chapter twelve, Holden is taking a cab to New York city. Out of the blue, he asks his driver, “The ducks. Do you know, by any chance? I mean does somebody come around in a truck or something and take them away, or do they fly away by themselves - go south or something.” He is referencing the ducks that live on the lagoon by Central Park. Salinger is drawing a parallel between Holden’s fear of becoming old and turning into a phony and the ducks leaving the lagoon. Caulfield thinks that if the ducks can escape the winter, then he might be able to ward off the effects of senescence. Furthermore, this demonstrates the extent of his condition because he not only ponders such hypotheticals in his mind, but he openly solicits these intrusive thoughts aloud. 

Further along the line, in chapter 22, Holden is visiting his sister, Phoebe. During this visit, Phoebe asks Holden what he wants to do with his life. After a moment of thought, on page 173, Holden responds, “What have I to do, I have to catch everybody if they’re running and don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.” This quote helps showcase how far Holden is willing to go in order to preserve the innocence of the children. By catching the children, he is saving them from the fall to adulthood. Holden misses the feeling of innocence from back when he was a child. Holden hopes to serve as a safety net, protecting them from the impurities of maturity. 

In chapter 25, the final chapter of the novel, Holden is sitting on a bench at the fair when his sister asks if she can go on the merry-go-round. Warily, Holden allows Phoebe to go, watching her from the distance as she spins around in circles on the merry-go-round. On page 211, he says to us, the readers, “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it’s bad if you say anything to them.” This represents closure within Holden. He has finally come to terms with the act of growing up, understanding that children, much like his sister, everyone matures at some point in their life. In realizing and accepting this truth, Holden has removed the weight that was holding him back, keeping him from living out his own life. Without focusing on everyone else, Holden can become in touch with himself, giving him the room to grow. 

J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye is a classic piece of literature. Its characters are quintessential, and its message of maturing transcends the confines of time. Our protagonist, Holden Caulfield, faces many struggles throughout the story, most of which revolve around this theme. When he finally accepts and embraces the process of growing up, he develops a sense of contentment. No longer carrying the burden of all children around him, he can now lead a freer, more replenishing life. This feeling is one that we all strive for, and more importantly, one that is easily attainable if we understand that not everything is under our control. Life is unpredictable, and as much as we try to, we cannot fully grasp its meaning unless we let go of the menial worries of the average person.