Yolo

The most noticeable of Holden's peculiarities is how enormously judgmental he is of almost everything and everybody. He criticizes all kinds of people, especially the "phony” ones. An example of this is first shown when Holden goes on a rant about Old Selma Thurmer’s appearance.   “She had a big nose and her nails were all bitten down and bleedy-looking and she had on those damn falsies that point all over the place, but you felt sort of sorry for her. What I liked about her, she didn't give you a lot of horse manure about what a great guy her father was. She probably knew what a phony slob he was” (Salinger 3). Holden frequently judges and criticizes many characters in the novel, but at the same time wants them to join him for a drink and chat it up for the evening. He seems continuously caught in this very limbo: judging a person, making a weak attempt to reach out, and then being let down when that person isn't there to support him, talk with him, or try to understand him. This is revealed when Holden invites Ackley along to the movies, but Ackley won't return the favor by letting Holden sleep in his roommate's bed after his fight with Stradlater. “Relax. I’m not gonna sleep here. I wouldn’t abuse you goddam hospitality” (Salinger 49).   Even though he is very quick to judge others, he never criticizes his own actions directly. The characteristics mentioned are portrayed several times throughout the novel and from his actions we try to find out who Holden Caulfield really is


Holden is a very immature teen without seeming to even realize it. He whines a considerable amount throughout the book and seems to have the maturity level of a child, and at the same time shows that he knows his age and the maturity level expected of him. He criticizes those around him, such as Ackley and Stradlater for being immature. “Ackley kid.” He didn’t like it when you called him “Ackley kid.” He was always telling me I was a goddam kid, because I was sixteen and he was eighteen....