Holden Caufield's Character in Catcher in the Rye

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royal pain” (Salinger 28), he blames other people for his own problems and frequently blows them out of proportion in the process. After losing fights, he pretends to be wounded; when he is punched, he thinks that he is dying, and subsequently “sort of [starts] pretending [to have] a bullet in [his] guts” (Salinger 103-104). Holden fulfills his role as an archetypical anti-hero not only because he lacks heroic traits, but also by criticizing the society that he lives in.

        A major focus of the novel’s plot is the insincerity, or “phoniness” of people in 1950s America. As an anti-hero, Holden distrusts society and the people around him, condemning the hypocrisy of other characters’ interactions and the social practices of the time. He “hate[s] the movies like poison” (Salinger 29) because of the actors, thinking that they “do something phony every minute” (Salinger 117). Similarly, when asked whether he wants to be a lawyer, he refuses, asking “How would you know you weren’t being a phony?” (Salinger 172). He criticizes the incongruity between peoples’ true desires and their public images, condemning Sally Hayes’ mother because “the only way she would go around collecting dough would be if everybody kissed her ass for her when they made a contribution.” (Salinger 114). Because of his distrust of society’s “phoniness,” Holden makes it his goal to protect children from its onset, but finds that he cannot.

        Despite of his criticism of “phoniness”, Holden fails to protect the innocence of children by becoming “the catcher in the rye”. While doing so, he fantasizes about escaping “phoniness” through pretending to be a deaf-mute and isolating himself from society.  However, after Phoebe tries to leave with him, he realizes that he cannot follow through with his plan. Holden eventually comes to understand that children must grow up, face danger, and make their own

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decisions. His choice to think of Phoebe’s future rather than “phoniness” represents his greater realization that, in reality, the “catcher in the rye” cannot exist. Holden expresses this when he muses that “the thing with kids is ... you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it’s bad if you say anything” (Salinger 211). Although he does not accomplish his goal, Holden is an honourable failure; his recognition of the impossibility of his dream allows him to mature as a person and move on with life.

        Holden’s character is distinctly anti-heroic. He is disillusioned, heavily flawed, and critical of the people he encounters and the society that he lives in. Because of this, he fails to achieve his one true goal, instead realizing that “phoniness” is something he cannot prevent. Ultimately, Holden Caufield’s lack of heroic qualities, criticism of society, and failure make him an archetypical anti-hero.p