The Teenage Years essays

The Teenage Years essays In the novel Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, as an individual entity is internally torn up by dividing forces. One supports adolescence, while the other supports adulthood. This battle is known as the transitional period, or the teenage years and is illustrated by three main themes. First, his outlook on all things sexual displays an important part of this struggle. Next is his perception of himself and others, which contains many of its own obstacles. Finally, Holdens desire to remain a child and dwell in the past conflicts with the reality that he needs to grow up and focus on the future and is the basis of his struggle. Throughout the novel, Holden can be caught boasting stories of his sexual conquests. His tales are filled with couldves and wouldves, all of his sexual encounters with women are very limited and incomplete. Proof of this is evident when he hires a prostitute to fulfill his sexual needs and in the end decides not to have sex with her. I was a little nervous. I was starting to feel pretty sexy and all, but I was a little nervous anyways. If you want to know the truth Im a virgin. I really am. Ive had quite a few opportunities to lose my virginity and all, but Ive never got around to yet. Something always happens. For instance, if youre at a girlfriend's house, her parents always come home at the wrong time- or at least youre afraid they will. (Page 92) His encounter with the hooker displays his inexperience and his nervousness when it comes down to sex. Holden, however, would rather blame fate than admit that he is still a virgin because of his own actions and feelings. Holdens sexual immaturity is again demonstrated when he begins to talk about homosexuality. He is preoccupied with identifying gay men because he feels that it may make him seem as if he has reached some sort of high ...