Character Analysis of the Real Holden Caufield
Character Analysis of the Real Holden Caufield
Who is Holden really??? A lousy, uninteresting phony? Or is he the most intelligent and cleverest person you ever met? Well… This question isn’t really easy to answer. Personally I think that he is a very intellectual human who unfortunately doesn’t know how to use his intellect and who is suffering from major mental problems. On the one side, he is this guy who tries to be cool and accepted by other people. However, on the other hand, he is this little lonely child who is seeking for someone who will comfort him and play with him. This essay will try to answer the question of who Holden really is and will try to explain the reasons for his abnormal behavior: Does he reveal his real face? The tough guy who is constantly using vulgar language or is he the weak fragile guy who cares about where the ducks go in winter? You have to try to see the truth behind all of the lies and contradictions to find out who Holden really is and who he wants to be. The next few paragraphs will explain all of this to you and make it clear to you that Holden actually is an intelligent young man who is very vulnerable and constantly on the search for recognition and love.
Holden describes himself as a 16 year old boy who is obviously very unhappy and sees himself as the worst and useless member of his family. He talks about himself as having had a lousy childhood; however, he doesn’t want to discuss it because he is bored of everybody asking him such questions. What he actually means is that he is tired of life and practically hates almost everything about it. He doesn’t see much sense in life since everything seems to turn against him. It is quite unusual for a young person of his age to reflect on death so frequently. There are several passages in the book where he ponders about his own death. His only worry is “how he would look” once he was dead or who would come to his funeral. He compares these thoughts with his memories of the cemetery where his favorite brother is berried. One time he keeps discussing a situation of how is would be if somebody had shot him in his...