The Catcher in the Rye Group

Question:

esperanzadc
esperanzadc
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In "The Catcher in the Rye", why is Holden so opposed to growing up?

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Posted by esperanzadc on Monday October 13, 2008 at 9:31 PM and tagged with characters, growing up, holden, the catcher in the rye.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Holden was traumatized by the death of his brother, Allie and he has been afraid of moving on fearing he will loose some connection with Allie if he grows up. In some ways, he still has not even accepted Allie's death. He wonders if Allie is cold in his grave, even though a body does not feel temperature. He loves children, as witnessed by his love of his sister Phoebe and he states his intention to be a "Catcher in the Rye" so he can stop children from going off the cliff into adulthood.He associates adulthood with "phoniness" and believes that children, especially Allie and Phoebe, are/ were not "phony". This is Holden's way of avoiding reality. Not realizing that everyone must grow up, and pain is a part of growth, Holden is desperately trying to avoid the pain he will experience when he faces the fact that he must accept death and move on with his own life.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/catcher

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Tuesday October 14, 2008 at 11:44 AM