As a 16 year old teenager myself, I know first-hand how my generation acts and how they decide to treat others and themselves. I’ve witnessed the decisions that others have made, and the consequences of those decisions, good or bad. The narrator of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, is a good example of an average, quintessential teenager. I consider myself different from the stereotypical teen aged male, as I try to have a more positive outlook. I have support from others, so I am motivated to work hard and act more mature.
Holden Caulfield is a typical teenage boy who acts very independently, is very sarcastic, and has a very sassy tone. As a whole, my generation has a lot of similarities with Holden, like personality, behavior, and
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Many simply want to look older than they are, but in the process make themselves look much younger. I personally have no desire to speed up time, and I want to enjoy the moment we are in right now. Some examples of this would be abusing alcohol as a minor, trying to act much tougher than they actually are, and getting into sexual activities with others early; most of which have been demonstrated by Holden and his roommates or friends. However, some don’t do this just to make themselves feel older, they prefer to engage in these activities to maintain a certain reputation, or are trying to appeal to a certain group. Some try too hard, and make themselves look desperate or even more immature than the others. This is what I feel the book was trying to tell it’s audience, to not engage in risky or harmful activities just for self satisfaction or popularity, as it will do more harm than good. The book made me think about my past experiences and my own life, and it made me feel more confident in who I am as a whole. It allowed me to view my accomplishments, weaknesses, and goals, and make me proud of what I have done so