HOLDEN CAULFIELD

Holden is a complicated character. From the beginning of the novel, we know this is being told after it happened and that this is the story of the mental unraveling of Holden. As he says in the first chapter, "I'll just tell you about this madman stuff" before he had to "come out here and take it easy." We also understand he doesn't like "phony" people who aren't true to themselves and sees everyone as good or bad, phony or real. Another moment when we get a big insight into Holden is in chapter 5, when he talks about his dead brother, Allie. From the way he talks about Allie, listing only good characteristics, we can tell Holden idolizes Allie. This is where one of the themes developed over the course of the novel is first introduced. That idea is that childhood and innocence are good and to be protected for as long as possible. Throughout the novel, Holden repeatedly shows his belief in this- protecting the "innocence" of a prostitute, looking up to his younger siblings (sister Phoebe and dead brother Allie), and sharing his dream of saving frolicking children from falling off a cliff. Holden very much sees the world in black in white. He thinks everyone is either wonderful and perfect (typically children who do what they believe in) or horrible and phony (usually adults who Holden sees as fake).