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The Tragedy Of Holden Caulfield Is That He Cannot Accept The Adult World He Is Too Old To Continue The Innocent Life Of A Child

The main concern of the novel The Catcher in the Rye is not only that the protagonist is trapped between childhood and adulthood, but also the alienation and regression caused by grief when the sufferer does not address their loss properly. Holden Caulfield's nervous breakdown is largely due to the death of his younger brother. It is because of this that he fears change and maturity so much, specifically the loss of innocence. Holden cannot accept the complexities of the world; instead, he uses "phoniness" of as an excuse to withdraw into the world of children.

Holden has experienced two great traumas connected with death. First, he has lost a loved and valued sibling, Allie. Secondly, he has witnessed the suicide of his classmate. Although he did not know the latter well, it is because has not come to terms with Allie's death that this loss is so painful. It is Allie's death that has contributed most to Holden's fragile mental state. Since he could not attend Allie's funeral,......


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Approximate Word Count: 1005
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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    he is too old to continue the innocent life of a child. ...