Alexandra Matysová, 4.

AB

Opinion essay: The novel is structured around Holden’s encounters and interactions with other
people. Does any pattern seem to emerge, or does anything change in his interactions as the novel
progresses? How do Holden’s encounters with adults, children, women, and his peers evolve as the
novel progresses?

In this story, we can see Holden cutting himself off from people, calling adults phonies. His
interactions with other people and how he treats them varies in the story. Holden sometimes
chooses to lie to people because of how much he does not want to create any connections. What
does his attitude towards different groups of people look like in the story?

First, from the very beginning of the story readers can smell how cynic and judgemental narrator is
towards adults – calling everyone a phony. In my opinion he seems to have less nerves and very short
temper with adults. It may be like this because of his fear and disgust towards adulthood in general.
He hates society and interaction with adult people. With his peers, his „friendship „with Stradlater it
looks almost the same to me. He is distant, not wanting to open to others.

In contrast, there is Holden’s around women and children. In this case, our narrator treats women
and children in a very similar way. I believe it is obvious that because of his younger brother’s death
and appreciation of his sister Phoebe, Holden has soft spot. This is also connected with him trying to
remain in childhood and his overall obsession with it. As it is mentioned in the book, he sees
childhood and children as a symbol of pure innocence, so he shows sympathy towards them. About
women, I am pointing out his history with Jane. He really liked her, cared for her. In means of that he
seems to be more mature and grown up around women.

In conclusion, throughout the whole book it can be sensed and visible that Holden’s interactions
progressed. Therefore, a pattern is seen in Holden’s encounters with adults, his peers, children, and
women. In some parts of the story, he starts to become more sympathetic and understanding but in
some parts his hating, childish self is back – a visible connection with his two self-created worlds of
childhood and adulthood.