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Alex Redd
Period 3
Taylor
AP Lit
September 17, 2016
Adolescence Prompt
Often times, one associates the idea of innocence with the typically happy and carefree
years of childhood. However, many pieces of literature explore the idea that a broken childhood
could lead to a characters obsession with innocence. J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye is a
prime example of the latter. The novel follows a sixteen year old boy named Holden Caulfield
and his various experiences over a span of three days. As the story progresses, Holdens complex
outlook on children and the loss of innocence become far more lucid, allowing the audience
begin to understand the process behind his thoughts and actions. Its this understanding of
Holdens depiction of childhood and innocence, that ultimately shapes the overall meaning
behind the novel.
Holden himself is undergoing a very pivotal time in his life during the events of the
novel. Not only is he facing his final days at Pencey, but hes also at the point of his life where
most people give him the advice to grow up and finally apply himself. Unfortunately, Holdens
level of maturity, or lack thereof, prohibits him from finally taking steps to becoming a well
rounded young adult. Part of the reason for this is his inability to let go of his childhood. From
the information provided in the novel, Holden doesnt have the typical broken home in the
sense that his parents were abusive or destructive, but his childhood was broken due to the early
passing of his brother, Allie. In a way, Holdens obsession with holding on to innocence is
directly linked to his brothers death. From the way he talks of Allie, it is evident that Holden
hasnt truly recovered from his death and admires the innocence of children simply because

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thats how remembers Allie, in a state of permanent innocence. This veneration that Holden has
towards the purity of children is once again when he is visiting the museum. He looks upon the
exhibits and marvels at their consistency over the years, never changing, unlike the people who
view them. Its as if Holden is saying that he wishes that he could be in the same state as Allie
and museum exhibits and never change or move on. Holdens yearning to hold on to the shreds
of his adolescence directly shapes the novels message the innocence is something that should be
preserved as long humanly possible, but the acceptance of its inevitable loss is just as crucial to
the process of being human.
Holdens fixation of childhood innocence carries on to his other sibling, Phoebe. Holden
holds a lot of admiration for Phoebe, considering her to be very intelligent for her age. One
pivotal moment in the novel comes when Holden is talking to Phoebe and laments about his
desire to be a catcher in the rye and protect children from falling off of a cliff while playing in
a field. This of course represents Holdens protective nature when it comes to innocence, with
him wanting to protect kids from losing their own childhood innocence. It could be argued that
Holdens drive to shield children from the loss of innocence stems from his inability to deal with
his own loss of innocence. This could be seen when Holden begins to deal with sexual
experiences in the novel. He buys a prostitute to take his virginity, but he ultimately cant follow
through with it. Holden states that he just isnt in the mood, however, this self-sabotage could be
linked to the fact that he simply isnt ready to give up the remainder of his innocence. He already
experienced a loss of the majority of his innocence, such as dealing with seeing the aftermath of
one of his classmates suicide as well as well finding himself attracted to things that he
acknowledges as perverted, and so losing his virginity could be Holdens last claim to

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innocence, which is something he isnt willing to completely forfeit. Even at the end of the novel
Holdens stance on growing up is somewhat up in the air as he faces a new chapter in his life,
only to be stuck in the same place he always is: the past.
Catcher in the Rye is a unique coming of age story that paints childhood innocence in an
extremely complex light. As Holdens infatuation with innocence begins to bud, the audience
begins to more intensely understand the motivations behind the character as well as behind the
story. Salinger presents his idea that innocence is simultaneously fleeting and beautiful in a way
that not only impacts the reader, but allows the piece to be a timeless classic.