Journey to Adulthood in The Catcher in the Rye
In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, J. ... Salinger shows the struggle most teenagers battle: the journey from childhood to adulthood. ... He flunks out of three prep schools, showing he is not truly ready for adulthood. ... Salinger seems to be showing us that Holden’s negative view of life parallels to his fears of adulthood. ... Holden’s inability to open up to adults illustrates his inability to step into adulthood. ... Holden takes his first step into adulthood as he comes upon this conclusion. ... Salinger is trying to illustrate the journey every child must take: the journey into adulthood. ... Every man must take this journey and overcome his own personal barriers.