Holden as the Typical Teenager of Today Essay

Holden Caulfield, portrayed in the J.D. Salinger novel Catcher in the rye as an young struggling to let his have it offledge identity, possesses umpteen characteristics that advantageously link him to the typical pueriler living today. The particular that the book was write many years ago clearly exemplifies the timeless nature of this work. Holdens actions are those that any teenager can clearly relate with. The require for independence, the sexu on the wholey related encounters, and the questioning of ones religion are issues that almost either teens have had or will have to deal with in their adolescent years. The novel and its main characters experiences can easily be related to and will forever link Holden with e really member of smart set, because everyone in the world was or will be a teen quondam(prenominal) in their life.The first and most obvious characteristic instal in most teens, including Holden, would be the desire for independence. Throughout the n ovel, Holden is not once found wishing to have his parents help oneself in any way. He has a lot lived his entire life in dorms at prestigious schools, and has learned sooner well how to be on his own. This tendency of teenagers took place in tear down in ancient history, where the freshly developed teen opts to leave the cave and hunt for is own food. Every teenager tries, in his or her own way, to be independent. Instead of admitting to ones parents of a wrongful deed, the teen tries covering up the mistake or avoiding it in hopes that they wont get in any trouble. They feel that they have enough intelligence to think with a problem without going to their parents for assistance.Read more puerilers today seeWhen Holden hears the news that he has been expelled from Pency, he concludes that his parents would not know of this for a a few(prenominal) days. Therefore, he would wait from Saturday all the way to Wednesday, let his parents get it and well digest it, and then face the consequences, which will more than likely be less severe after his parents calmed down. He states on page fifty-one, I didnt want to be around when they first got it. My mother gets very hysterical. Shes not too bad after she gets something thoroughly digested, though. In taking the independent route, Holden does not look for sympathy or help from either of his parents. He feels that he can deal with his situation by waiting until the next school year in order to declare himself a small(a) better.Another characteristic of a teenager, usually of the male person gender, would be the widespread subject of sex. As everyone knows, during and after puberty, males have a stronger desire to fantasize about and perform sexual acts. Holden is no different.In my headland, Im the biggest sex maniac you ever saw. Sometimes I can think of very crumby stuff I wouldnt mind doing if the opportunity came up. (Pg. 62)Although Holden honestly states to the reader that he is a virgin, he dummy u p has encounters associated with sexual activity. First and foremost, Holden actually obtains a prostitute during a draft stay at a hotel room. Holden never has sexual intercourse with this woman, besides it does show that he is a teenager looking for affection and pleasure. Also, he proclaimed that he had plenty of opportunities to give the time to other woman, exactly he never quite knew how to do it firearm on a date. Holden is much like the average teen in this regard.The media and other direct sources in teens lives have taken an interest in sex, and have make it seem like it is the greatest thing known to mankind. Most teenagers find it slightly embarrassing to admit to being chaste, mainly due to the fact that they think everyone is doing it which is clearly false. Teenagers want to experience and experiment with sex, and even if they cull to not have sex until marriage, they will fantasize about it. This is even another example of the similarities in which Holden and the typical teen share.Sex and religion almost go hand in hand today amongst the teenage population. Do teens wait for marriage like the give-and-take insists or should teens turn down the rules outlined by the Bible and have pre-marital sex? Although the novel doesnt quite refer to sex in a religious grit it is a good example of choices teens are forced to make. Teens, along with many other members of society, dont agree with every guideline that the Bible sets out for them. They have to decide how large of a role religion is going to play in their lives. Holden says that he, in some ways, is an atheist.He sometimes prays to Jesus, and yet other times he feels like he vindicatory cannot pray because of his likes, dislikes, and indifferent views of the church. This can be related to many teenagers, for religion is not always an easy subject. Teens sometimes feel that not all information of a particular religion is completely true. Some teens toy with the fact that their faith, if they have one, is actually factual. Holden feels that the information on Jesus is likely true, but the Disciples and other characters from the Bible hes a little suspicious of.Take the Disciples, for instance. They annoy the hell out of me, if you want to know the truth. They were all right after Jesus was dead and all, but while He was alive, they were about as much use to Him as a hole in the head. (Pg. 99)He has many questions, as does all of society on some contradicting issues concerning religion.As seen in these previous examples, Holden Caulfield truly resembles the typical teen. He has gone through the same situations, encountered many of the same problems, and he also has acted in similar ways as the average teen. Teenage adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood. In this period, we all experience development both physically and emotionally, including the epitome of all teens, Holden Caulfield.