Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield shows little or no maturity in the novel The Catcher in the Rye. This is relevant in the text and proven through his actions and thoughts. Although there are times where he grows and becomes more mature, he still shows many acts of immaturity.

Everyone lies whether they are young or old but Holden lies about everything. "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life." Holden likes to lie and this is immature. He says he would lie about everything. One of the major events in the book is centered around a lie. He goes to New York and waits for three days so his parents would not know he got expelled. Holden loves to lie and this is very immature.

When Holden realizes he has flunked out of yet another school he decides not to tell his parents. Instead he goes to New York and lives in a hotel until he is supposed to go home for Christmas break. He does not own up and tell his parents what happened, he lied. This is the fourth school Holden has flunked out of and by now he should have taken school seriously. He does not apply himself in school. Holden should have applied himself in school and gotten good grades.

The fact that Holden does not have sex is another sign of immaturity. He passes up the easiest time in the world for him to have sex. This is with Sunny the prostitute. He lies and says he had surgery and therefore did not have enough energy. He does this so he does not have to have sex with her. Holden makes fun of Sally Hayes, a girl he used to date. This is the only serious girlfriend he has had and yet he makes fun of her. Holden does this because he is no longer with her and is jealous that Stradler wants to have sex with her. Many times in the book he is aroused, at the hotel watching the different people or when he first arrives in New York and wants to call Jane. Holden treats women very negatively but still wants to have sex. This is an immature behavior. Most men can tell a girl honestly how they feel about her. Holden, on the other hand, is incapable of this simple honesty.

Holden Caulfield shows no maturing in the novel. Some people may argue that he grew and matured but I disagree. As illustrated in this paper he has not matured at all. He loves to lie and hurt women. He passes up sex when it is practically handed to him. Holden Caulfield is an immature person and does not grow up at all.