Holden Caulfield is the unkempt nuisance that a mother dreams never to have. He has been kicked out of four schools, including his most recent one, Pencey Prep. He decides to sneak out of Pencey before his actual departure date, and stay in a hotel. Holden finds himself in all sorts of trouble including drinking at a bar, fighting with a pimp and prostitut, and joining two nuns for breakfast. Holden in the main character in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I will be using three active reading strategies including predicting, connecting, and questioning.
I feel that Holden Caulfield is in for a major phase shift in his future. He will learn that life is not about sex, alcohol, and being unintelligent. Instead, life is about love, kindness…show more content… I feel that it is either because of his family, or his roommate. I feel that Caulfield may act like a nuisance because of his family. His brother died when Holden was fourteen, his nine-year-old sister is smarter then him, his mom is hysterical, and his dad is never home. Not having the love of a family can cause people to forget their morals. Also, parents fighting can cause serious pain in children. Holden states “He’s (dad) is always investing money in shows on Broadway. They always flop, though, and it drives my mother crazy” (Salinger 120). This shows that Holdens parents have been fighting, especially about money. Holden could also act this way because of his roommate, Stradlater. Stradlater smokes, drinks, has sex each night, and fights often. Stradlater is as rude as a little kid whose sibling stole their juice pouch. When it comes to living in a room with a bad influence, you end up picking up some habits. I feel that in the end, it is Caulfield’s family that causes him to act the way he does.
Holden Caulfield is an interesting character. I feel he is in to realize the true meaning of life. He is also a large example of a modern day teenager because he has hateful heeds. I also believe he acts the way he does because of his family life. In the end, I feel Holden will have gratitude for what he has, and try to share his knowledge with the
