Holden Caufield In 'Catcher In The Rye'

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Christian Smith 9/27/08 The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caufield has been dealing with various problems which have consequently led to his mental downfall. Holden’s inability to cope with reality, fear of growing up, and helplessness of dealing with sexuality has all played a critical role in his emotional breakdown. Holden’s inability to cope with reality may have been caused by the death of his younger brother Allie. Allie’s death made him view things in another light. Holden cannot think straight. He has become a liar as well as a hypocrite. Holden’s red hunting hat shows his sense of individuality and his diversity from everyone else. Holden is very self conscience of his hat, and he doesn’t wear it around people he knows. Holden’s fear of becoming an adult may have been caused by his parents because they pressure him to get good grades and be successful. So, he is very stressed out and depressed. So, he smokes cigarettes and drinks to ease his mind off of concern and stress. Holden believes that if he remains a child, he will not have to deal with the pressures of an adult life. The theme of “the catcher and the rye” arises from this notion. Holden pictures childhood as a peaceful field where all the kids are running free and having fun in the…show more content…
Holden is confused about sex. He says “Sex is something I really don’t understand too hot.” Yet, He still ordered a prostitute, Sunny, but he doesn’t have sex with her. He feels sorry ordered a prostitute, Sunny, but he doesn’t have sex with her. He feels sorry for her because she is about the same age as him and she is getting around by having sex with many guys. May that have been the reason why he didn’t have sex with her or was he just scared? Holden told Sunny he didn’t want to have sex, but he wanted to chat with her. He needs a companion; he needs someone to talk to and a friend to be there with

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