Holden Caulfield, in the book The Catcher in the Rye, goes through many different emotions on his journey, and consistently tries to be an adult, even though he is only 16. He starts at school, like most kids go through, but soon leaves and tries to act like he is older than he really is. Holden, being only 16, itches for adulthood by leaving school, trying alcohol, and trying to protect little kids from something he should be protected from. School is tough, and no one wants to go through it. Some kids suffer through it, and some rebel and rarely do work, or even try. Holden rebels more than most. He has been kicked out of at least three different schools. His teacher, Mr.Spencer, has a confrontation with Holden where he explains how his future is important and he needs to start concerning for it. He explains how he cares about him: "I'd like to put some sense in that head of yours, boy. I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to help you, if I can" (Salinger 18). Arguably the most important part of someone's childhood is school. By Holden trying to avoid it, and eventually completely leave it and go off on his own in new york says that he does not want to be a child, and do childish things. …show more content…
says that people under the age of 21 can not have alcohol. This means kids in high school are not allowed to have any alcohol. Holden decides that he is no longer a child under the age of 21, and consistently asks for liquor. He even gets offended when a waiter makes him get his identification out. The waiter announces “do you have some verification of your age? Your driver's license, perhaps?” (Salinger 78) and Holden has to order a soda. Holden's obsession continues here with only adults being able to drink. Children do not drink, or at least not in public, and he tries to be something he is