How Does Holden Mature In Catcher In The Rye

In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, a teenage boy, struggles with the idea of maturity and growing up. The novel presents Holden’s journey to find what he should do with his life after being kicked out of school. Being both lost and confused, Holden encounters many moments where he doesn’t know where to go or what to do next. To help him make the right decision Holden considers the ducks of Central Park. These ducks are an important symbol used throughout the book to describe Holden’s journey toward maturity. Throughout the novel, Holden wonders whether the ducks are taken away to a zoo when the pond in Central Park freezes over or if they are left to fly away and fend for themselves. Holden revisits the question of

Holden decides to stay in New York City until winter break, instead of going home and confronting his parents. He decides to stay in a hotel. He considers calling a friend but doesn’t know whom to call. He decides to get in a cab because he doesn’t know what to do. This is when he looks to the ducks again for guidance. When entering the cab, he instinctively instructs the driver to take him to his house by mistake. “I’m so damn absent-minded, I gave the driver my regular address, just out of habit and all” (60). By giving the driver his home address, Holden is showing that he should go home to his parents but he is not ready to face them. Because he is immature, Holden believes he can live in the city alone, and refuses to admit that he still needs the protection of his parents. A Lost and confused boy, Holden resorts to the question of the ducks. He asks the cab driver what they do in the winter even though he “realized it was only one chance in a million” (60) that the driver would have the answer. Although Holden knows it is an inane question, and he will not find his answer in the cab, he still asks in hope of discovering whether the ducks are taken to a zoo or left to fly away. The question of the ducks is really Holden wondering if he will be taken care of or if he will learn to fly away and become mature. Holden shows that he wants to grow up to make

Again, feeling lost, he resorts to the ducks for an answer. It’s very dark out and he “had the most terrific trouble finding that lagoon at night” (154). Holden goes to learn about the ducks by himself this time. This shows that Holden is ready to face the answer to his question directly, without looking to others for the solution. Already understanding that he needs to mature, he now recognizes that he must depend upon himself to find the ability to grow up. As he reaches the lake, Holden walks around the entire pond looking for ducks. When he doesn’t see one duck, he suspects that they are resting in the grass so he looks harder. Holden “damn near fell in once, in fact” (154). He is so determined to locate the ducks and will search until he finds an answer to his question. This determination to spot the ducks is the first thing that he has really strived for. From the beginning, when he couldn’t even stay in school he has changed dramatically. This adamant attitude helps him to change for the better and find the maturity within himself. Although he never finds the ducks, he finds his answer. Following his visit to Central Park, Holden goes home. He learns that he needs an adult influence and that trying to live on his own is not something he is ready for. At this moment, Holden found the maturity and sense to go home at