Holden Caulfield Rebel

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The Catcher in the Rye is about a sixteen year old boy named Holden Caulfield who describes his life story from a mental institution. Formerly, he gets kicked out of Pencey Prep because he failed more than one class which leads him to a nervous breakdown. Later on, you get to see how Holden is having difficulty with trying to fit in with the world, which leads him flustered with obstacles because of his poor decisions. Withal, Holden is characterized as an idealistic but harmless rebel compared to an anti-social misfit. He portrays more of an idealistic but harmless rebel because Holden is a young immature man who does not try to harm anyone but who values child innocence. Holden’s youthfulness conceives many problems towards him throughout …show more content…

After Holden had breakfast, he began a long walk and stumbles upon a record called “Little Shirley Beans” which he buys for his sister. Holden continues to walk the streets of New York and later he ends up at a lousy park trying to look for Phoebe. He could not find Phoebe anywhere in sight, alternately, he observes two boys playing Flys Up and kids skating. Holden remarks, “God, I love it when a kid’s nice and polite when you tighten their skate for them or something” (119). Holden really values child innocence because it reminds him of his younger sister, Phoebe. In fact, Holden expresses, “That kills me. Old Phoebe. I swear to God you’d like her. She was smart even when she was a very tiny little kid,” (68). You get the feeling that Phoebe is the type of girl you will adore her when you first meet her from what Holden comments. Further, Phoebe is described to be wonderful according to Holden because she is always there to listen to Holden when he needs someone to talk to. As you are reading, Holden says, “She always listens when you tell her some. And the funny part is she knows, half the time, what the hell you’re talking about. She really does,” (167-168). He seems to appreciate Phoebe more than he would an adult or someone his age because Phoebe is a kid who is very mature for her age and who gives advice to Holden whether he likes it or not. Also, Holden admires his younger sister because she makes him feel younger and connected with

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