What does the character Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye" struggle with?

Holden Caulfield's primary struggle throughout "The Catcher in the Rye" revolves around maintaining relationships and his sense of identity. Throughout the novel, he grapples with feelings of alienation and isolation, which significantly impact his interactions with others. His inability to connect on a meaningful level is seen in his relationships with friends and family, as well as his disdain for what he perceives as the phoniness of the adult world. This reflects a deeper internal conflict regarding who he is and how he fits into a society that he often feels disconnected from.

His struggles with identity manifest through his erratic behavior, contradictory statements, and his longing to protect the innocence of childhood, symbolized by his fantasy of being "the catcher in the rye." This metaphor illustrates his desire to shield children from the harsh realities of adulthood, which adds another layer to his identity crisis. His emotional turmoil and inability to form stable relationships underscore the theme of searching for identity amid the complexities of growing up.

In contrast, while career, history, and academic success are significant issues faced by many young adults, they are not the central focus of Holden's character development in the novel. This distinction is crucial in understanding the core themes that J.D. Salinger explores through