Why does Holden fear adulthood? Essay -- English Literature

Why does Holden fear adulthood?The novel catcher in the rye is set in the 1950s and is narrated by a four-year-old boy c wholeed Holden Caulfield who is sixteen years old. He tellsthe story between the end of his school term and Christmas break. Weknow he is in a mental hospital and is telling the story of a few dayshe spent in New York city, he shares his feelings, emotions andopinions against the world surrounding him.Holden Caulfield, he is a soul who feels the need to be in controlof everything in his life, still the problem comes when he finds himselfin the transition between childhood and adulthood. Holden wants andtries to act like an adult, but is unable to accept the fact he isbecoming one, perhaps because of his association of adulthood withphonies and all he hates. By being in the stage where he is, hemanages to avoid change, control his world with his own hands, yetcreates a paradox between what he is, and what he wants to be.Possibly the main reason to why Holden doe snt want to become an adultis his perception of phoniness and hypocrisy surrounding adultsociety. Holden shows his criticism towards most of the grownups whointervene in his life, specially those related to his schools. We cigarettetake Ossenburger as an example, he represents everything Holden hates,wealthy famous character who for Holden only gives phony speeches onhow to live life.He said he talked to deliveryman all the time. Even when he was driving hiscar. That killed me, I can just see the big phony bastard shiftinginto first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs (Pg17).This is just one of many examples Holden sees as fake. Phoniness ishis main concern against society. Holden lacks the capa... ...and wanted to be an adult.Holden fears becoming an adult in estimation and heart, but wants to becomeone in his actions. He wants to be safe but take chances. Its abattle between childhood and adulthood, between innocence andphoniness. This battle is what has made H oldens world an illusion,what has made him a madman. Holden fears landing form his illusion,becoming what he despises, knowing his protection is wooly and knowinghe is vulnerable to the world. What we see in Holden is probably notuncommon at all, he wishes to be a child at mind where it satisfieshim internally but an adult in his actions, just like everyone, theyget the side of the situation which satisfies them most. We never seewhat Holden becomes, but we see how his paradoxical bureau of acting andthinking is just a reflection of his fear of taking the full step intothe adult society.