Characterization Holden: Holden is a young kid who loses worldly innocence and love as he faces challenges around him.

The novel sets off as he gets abandoned from Pency Preps, a boarding school in Pennsylvania. As a protagonist of the story, he confronts numerous people who try to take advantage of him. He does not cope with this and each time carries more irritation within him. His obvious and malicious lies prove his loss of innocence at this stage. The external conflicts around him ultimately lead him to be dynamic throughout the story. He becomes more depressed and angry as he fails to find love in people. The problem reaches its climax when he abandons the positive influences around him. After he visits Mr. Anatollis house for comfort, he finds Mr. Anatolli stroking Holdens hair the next morning. He suddenly loses trust and thinks that Mr. Anatolli is being a homosexual. Holdens behavior vividly proves his loss of trust around people. While the stroking may be viewed as an act of homosexuality, it can far more be interpreted as an affection toward a student in pain. However, Holden does not give a second thought. His immediate decision to escape proves his isolation with the society. His suffering continues till he meets his sister at the end. For the first time, he meets someone who actually cares for him. Before, everyone tried to take advantage of him. When they get their wishes, they would abandon him. However, Holden finds indescribable happiness as his sister halts him from going away. She halts him from going into more despair (266)