Holden Caulfield Character Analysis

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It's not always easy being a teenager. For some, it can be a rather difficult time to connect to others and develop friendships. The awkwardness, insecurities and moodiness that the most of us have all faced contribute a substantial amount. Holden Caulfield is no exception, he too faces the problem of trying to fit in and make friends. The exception being that he has depression. The majority of the relationships Holden encounters in J.D Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye are ill-fated as a result of his lack of social skills, yet his depression also plays a pivotal role. This is demonstrated during his relationships with, Stradlater, Luce and Sally. In each of these relationships, Holden is partially responsible for their demise. However …show more content…

His attempt is ineffective to reunite their friendship. In the first place, Holden's behaviour with Luce is inconsiderate. Holden does not respect Luce's wishes when he requests multiple times of him to stop asking about his current girlfriend; `` 'Let's drop it,' old Luce said. 'Do you mind?' 'All right, but listen. Take you and this Chinese babe. What's so good about you two?' 'Drop it, I said' (147). Even after Luce gives him a warning to stop, Holden ceaselessly continues. His ignorance towards Luce's wishes is very selfish, and also leads to them leaving on poor terms. Moreover, Holden's immaturity and childishness with Luce frustrates him extremely and contributes to the lack of success in their reunion. For instance, Holden asks some rather ridiculous questions that annoy Luce: " 'What're you majoring in?' I asked him. 'Perverts?'" (144).`` 'How's your sex life?' I asked him. He hated you to ask stuff like that." (144). Holden disregards the fact that what he is saying bothers Luce. This is not only very childish but also very impolite. Similar to his relationship with Stradlater, Holden makes mistakes with his friendship with Luce. He is not entirely accountable for the failure of it. His encounter with Luce occurs later on in the novel, when his depression is only continuing to worsen . His excessive inquiry about sex throughout the conversation he has with Luce is not appropriate. This is lustrated when Luce talks about sex to Holden; " ' I like a mature person, if that's what you mean. Certainly.' 'You do? Why? No kidding, they better for sex and all? (145)" This quote demonstrate Holden's craving for intimacy. Throughout his time in New York he is constantly making efforts to meet people but most of the time they fall short. Consequently, he reasons that sex maybe the solution to his loneliness and isolation he is

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