Holden Caulfield Research Papers

Words: 558
Pages: 3

What would one expect the physical and mental state of a 17 year old boy to be? Many would assume it to be at the point where a boy was almost ready to become a man. For Holden Caulfield the case is much different. After getting kicked out of school for the 4th time Holden is on the brink of no return. Throughout the novel Holden shows us what to expect form a teenage boy that has lost connection with his family, and has resorted to drinking and smoking to keep himself in check. In J. D. Salinger’s book, The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield shows what it is like to be completely lost. The book almost sets and example of what not to be like or act like as you are trying to become an adult. By using the 40 Developmental Assets quiz you can …show more content…
In the beginning of the novel Holden talks leaving Pencey prep, but could not go home until Wednesday. Holden says, “I figured my parents probably wouldn't get old Thurmer's letter saying I'd been given the ax till maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I didn't want to go home or anything till they got it and thoroughly digested it and all. I didn't want to be around when they first got it. My mother gets very hysterical. She's not too bad after she gets something thoroughly digested, though” (Salinger 58). This shows that Holden is very nervous to go home and face his parents after getting expelled. He knows that he is sent away because he has no connection with his family, but this causes him not to care. Earlier in the novel Holden stats that he has no connection with his mother since his brother died. Comparing Holden and myself to the support he receives, it quickly shows a major difference. An example would be a communication between he has his family. The only person Holden really likes in his family is Phoebe. I on the other hand have a strong connection with family, and we talk often. Holden has a very weak connection with getting support from his family, and it shows in his