It’s okay to let go, you just need to know when is the right time.No, in-text citations don’t count in any EE or IA word counts, as far as I know. Holden’s struggle with holding on to his childhood was harmful to his health, but was a big contribution to the work as a whole.
Becoming an adult can either be beneficial or it can be harmful, as in Holden’s Carrete 3 case, but it just depends the way this period of time is handled. To conclude, everyone struggles with growing up, but maturing is a challenge that has to be overcome. He acknowledges the fact that he has to grow up, but never accepts it. Throughout the novel, Holden seems to believe that childhood is better because it is easy. One such feeling could be of uncertainty because it is something new and one doesn’t know what lies ahead. As adolescents, many feelings are linked to growing up. Holden appears to acknowledge the difference between childhood and adulthood. On the other hand, as a child one is care-free and life is simpler, more enjoyable, and, in general, easier. Growing up includes responsibility, adversity, and maturity along with other values. Many people are able to relate to The Catcher in the Rye since the novel is a coming-of- age novel: It realistically portrays the struggles of growing up and dealing with change. Having to tell his parents that he was kicked out of yet another school seemed frightening to Holden and his actions could have also been done to block out, in a way, all of his mistakes so he could stop orrying about them. He even links his depression with not being able to think, “When you’re feeling very depressed, you can’t even think” (85). Throughout The Catcher in the Rye Holden is always claiming that he is depressed which could be another reason why his health declines so rapidly. His excessive smoking and drinking could also be signs of depression. He allows his problems to take control over him and affect his health and emotions. He doesn’t seem to think his ideas through and he makes irrational decisions, which are signs of immaturity and irresponsibility. As his problems grow, they begin to affect his mental health. As stated above, he has a problem with growing up, which he never learns to deal with. The reader can tell that he is not insane, but that he is not mentally stable either. In the end of the novel he states, “I could probably tell you what I did after I went home, and how I got sick and all, and what school I’m supposed to go to next fall, after I Carrete 3 get out of here, but I don’t feel like it” (195). In the beginning and end of the novel Holden hints that he is in some kind of ehabilitation home. In the book Holden is overwhelmed by his experiences and as the novel progresses, his health begins to deteriorate because he is mentally unprepared to face the adult world. The task can be frustrating and overwhelming. During the teenaged years one is supposed to grow as a person and find one’s true calling, which is easier said than done.
The case is the same with many adolescents, they can’t wait to grow up, but have trouble adjusting. For instance, in his conversation with Carl Luce, he tries to ask mature questions bout Luce’s personal life and instead annoys Luce and acts like a teen that needs to grow up. He also tries to interact and converse with adults in “grown-up” conversations, but comes across as being immature. For example in chapter nine he talks about being a “sex maniac” (Salinger, 57), but later says, “Sex is something I really don’t understand too hot” (58). In some parts of the novel, Holden expresses his desire to grow up, while in others he displays childish characteristics. His ain struggle is holding on to his childhood, which nearly causes him to lose his mind and has a major role in this novel’s plot. Like many adolescents, one of his issues is accepting the fact that he will soon become an adult and will have to leave behind many behaviors that would be considered juvenile. Holden Caulfield, the main character, faces many issues and problems throughout the novel.
Salinger takes place in Pennsylvania and New York during a long weekend in the late 1940s or early 1950s. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone” (113).
“Certain things, they should stay the way they are.