Why Is Holden Caulfield A Tragic Hero

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Holden Caulfield, a controversial main character in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, is common and in many ways a true representation of an average teen going through adolescence. “Holden Caulfield is nor clown nor is he a tragic hero; he is a 16-year-old lad whose vivid encounter with everyday life is tragically humorous-or humorously tragic.” (Heiserman and Miller 8). Holden is constantly being discussed and interpreted to discern his true character. “Holden would find himself the subject, by 1981, of 344 essays and two reviews, 21 books, 142 references and articles, and 14 dissertations in the U.S. alone.” (Schriber 101). Holden faces many challenges that he must overcome throughout the novel. While overcoming the challenges set in front of him he is also dealing with “normal” teenage problems including being forced to grow old but yearning for innocence, the need for love and relationships, and fighting away insecurities within while searching for his true identity. J.D. Salinger depicts Holden as a young adult being thrown into manhood, yet searching for …show more content…

Holden lost sight of his goals in his transformation into adulthood and that is what scared him the most. “Holden’s fear of disappearing as he crosses from one side of the road or street to the other, aptly expresses his sense of the diminishing round for authenticity in America.” (138). Holden began to find himself becoming phony, which could be one of the reasons that accounted to his immaturity and desire to stay young. “In a place of authenticity Holden finds an endless appetite for the glamour of appearance for the vanity of effect and approval.” (135). Holden was only truly looking for a place where he felt protected, content, and appreciated. The problem Holden faced was not only staying true to himself, but not letting the world affect the person he

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